Comments on: A Failure of Design in Downtown New Haven

By: Design New Haven

Design New Haven — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:16:32 +0000

LN: Totally. Since the Shaw's opened, a number of other options have popped up around the area, but Shaw's still has the lowest prices on most items. The 36-story luxury development under construction at the corner of State & Chapel (right across from the train station) is required to have a grocery store when it opens next year. That might help, especially for those in Wooster Square who have a long walk to Shaw's.

IlvNY: There are many bad examples of urban renewal in New Haven, most notably Route 34, but the Downtown as a whole is in better shape than most I have seen. New Haven has the highest biking and walking mode share of any major city on the East Coast, and even though there are some parking lots, large swathes of the 400-year-old center city and its human-scaled architecture are exceptionally well-preserved. Because of the urban fabric and high population density, the city has a vibrant street life: moreso than many areas of central Boston.

Eric: Thanks for pointing that out. I meant hobbling at ease, relative to trying to hobble across a highway. Probably not the right word, but I think it conveys what a disabled or elderly person has to go through.

By: I \v/ NY

I \v/ NY — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:09:42 +0000

with all due respect the entire downtown of new haven is a failure of design, never seen much concentrated 1950s urban renewal... its nothing but brutalism, blank walls, expressways and parking lots.

By: LN

LN — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:21:58 +0000

I lived in New Haven, and there was no way to get fresh food downtown, you had to beg someone to drive you to a supermarket if you couldnt get something at the health food store or overpriced delis. While this supermarket cannot be considered downtown, its close enough and is in the poorest section of town.

By: Eric McClure

Eric McClure — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:58:56 +0000

"...hobbling... with ease?"

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:52:57 +0000

It would be nice if the NYC authorities and Target could do the same thing on West 225th Street in front of the store there. Although according to several commentators, including this one, the problems may extend into the store beyond the curbline:

If you're an impulse shopper, but don't have any money to spend, go here, because if the lack of interesting merchandise doesn't stop you, the perverse length of the register lines will.

By: n

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:43:20 +0000

A minor point - The posting on Design New Haven says that Shaw's is not in the heart of downtown, as you write, but "located at the outskirts of Downtown New Haven in the city's Dwight neighborhood."