By all accounts, this past Saturday evening was a fine night to be Irish, or to say you were, especially in downtown Norwich where everyone "knows" just about nothing is ever going on. And yet, as the late afternoon became the early evening and, in turn, became later that same evening, wining and dining establishments had plenty of both wearing of the green as well as spending it.
I'm as guilty as anyone else, and sometimes more so, of clock-watching and tea-leaf reading when the discussion becomes economic development and Chelsea, downtown Norwich. The bonds for the Norwich redevelopment projects were approved by us, the residents, some sixteen months ago. For many, we round our numbers up and say 'it's been a year and a half! What's the delay?'
Except: it hasn't eighteen months and we can get so daunted by the journey before us we lose sight of where we're going, how far we've been and why we decided this whole trip was necessary in the first place.
For the merry-makers observing Saint Patrick's Day Saturday night, there were more than enough feet on the street, as people headed to a favorite destination for their own celebration or texted and phoned friends who were already knee deep in the corned beef and good times. None of the downtown restaurants who had positioned themselves for shamrock shenanigans had any complaints by the dawn's early light of Sunday about the size of the groups who came and enjoyed themselves and one another's company.
The lesson we could learn is: Norwich should have a Saint Patrick's Day every month. But the lesson we should learn is: if you give people a reason to come to downtown, or anywhere for that matter, they will.
It's terrific the city leadership created economic stimuli for the most expensive, but least productive, real estate in Norwich. With some patience, some business acumen and strategic investment by the private sector, Chelsea can become every day what is was for Saint Patrick's, or is for Taste of Italy, Fourth of July, Wednesdays all summer long for Rock the Docks, every First Friday and (insert your two or three favorites that I forgot to list here ____).
Municipal government can make sure the sidewalks and streets are clean and well-lighted, that there's enough public safety on hand to assure the public feels safe and that all the available parking is clearly marked and as accessible as advertised. Our city can't put businesses in vacant storefronts or apartments and offices above those shops, no matter how large the incentives to do so are. Look at 146 Main Street, an eyesore if there were ever one. No municipal effort would/could ever help that address unless it was to drape a curtain across the front of it, but the gentleman who bought the property earlier this month wasn't waiting for a helping hand.
He's put his own money where his vision and his energy is and when he turns it around and makes 146 Main another destination, we'll all benefit because of his vision and willingness to do what he felt he had to do. City government can create a positive environment for those it is seeking to attract. Let those who have the experience and expertise in making money from delivering goods and services do what they do with a partner working to help them, and by extension, all of us, succeed.
-bill kenny
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