In Enfield, Zoners Get Creative
Enfield town officials acknowledge it’s an ongoing battle to encourage development and redevelopment along U.S. 5, in an economy that results in increased turnover of properties.
Raymond Warren, Enfield’s director of development services, concedes that development is hampered by zoning and the small commercial lot size along sections of U.S. 5.
“They’re all very small lots,” he said. “The only opportunity for redevelopment comes along when you can assemble some sites together — that’s the future for new development.”
The town offers a program to business owners with older commercial properties which fall under certain zoning regulations designed to encourage business improvements.
The program allows for a gradual, seven-year deferment on tax increases on any property additions or improvements. So far, Warren said, only one business, the 360 Federal Credit Union, has taken advantage of the program.
Dealer Creates Space For Inventory
At Gary Rome Kia in the Thompsonville section of U.S. 5, they’re dealing with the lack of space by setting up storage a couple of miles down the road.
The dealership’s tiny lot, which challenges even the best parkers, holds about 40 new vehicles out front and 40 in the back. Manager Stephen Raff said the storage facility can fit another 60 to 70 vehicles, allowing him to keep a full inventory.
“The challenge for us is our location,” he said. “This town has an automotive row down on Palomba Drive, and people tend to go there. We have to make an effort, in all of our advertising, to include maps and a picture of Town Hall, and say, ‘we’re right across from Town Hall’.”
Roses Now Sell One At A Time
Benedetto’s Florist, located in the Mountain Laurel Shoppes along U.S. 5 for some 22 years, has been hit hard during the recession.
“A man on his way home from work may buy a single rose rather than a bouquet for his wife,” said Ben Pallotta, owner of Benedetto’s. “Flowers just aren’t a necessity purchase.”
Customers want wedding and funeral flowers simplified in an effort to save a little, Pallotta said, but his regular customers are still coming in.
“They feel we are offering them a quality product,” he said. “They might downsize their purchases, but they’re still interested in the quality we offer.”
Federal Funds Redoing Bridge
One of the few area examples of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 being used for road construction projects, is work to reconstruct the bridge carrying U.S. 5 over Interstate 91 in Enfield at a price tag of $6.99 million.
The bridge superstructure is being replaced by Arborio Construction of Cromwell. The existing bridge deck has been rated poor and the superstructure itself has seen damage over the years because of low clearance.
Enfield Town Manager Matthew Coppler said the work will also include improvements to the sidewalks.
“This project will provide a good roadway for the many visitors and businesspeople that traverse that bridge,” Coppler said. “They’re raising the overpass level so we don’t have trucks getting stuck under there. It will obviously improve the safety, not just on I-91 itself, but also on the bridge with the addition of the sidewalks.”
People Still Have To Eat
Rosanna Russo, who has owned Russo’s Italian Pastry Shop on U.S. 5 in Thompsonville for the past 20 years, said her business hasn’t been struggling during the economic downturn.
“We’re always busy,” she said while she juggled lunchtime customers buying pizza by the slice. “We have good pizza. We have 20 different kinds of cannolis, cookies, calzones, grinders.”
Business has been steady enough recently that Russo’s added a 1,000-square foot banquet hall onto its shop for parties and private functions. Russo shrugged when questioned on her business’ success.
“People have to eat,” she said.
