West Haven Police are alerting the public about streets that will soon be blocked off by the proposed site of The Haven mall.
This comes as most of the boarded-up homes have yet to be demolished and some residents still wonder whether the project will bring the economic benefits they’ve been promised.
New Mayor Nancy Rossi told NBC Connecticut she has a meeting in January with The Haven’s developers to go over a timetable for demolition and construction.
In the meantime, a popular restaurant has been given a few more months to stay open.
“I wish they could stay forever,” Angela Invernale of West Haven said. “Build the mall around them or something.”
The grill at Nick’s Luncheonette will still prepare breakfast and lunch until March 31 after the owner worked out an extension with the mayor’s office and the developers.
“I’m very happy,” Nick Milas, who has been in business for 26 years, said. “Thanks to the mayor, to Luis Esposito and developer [Matt] Armstrong to let us stay a little bit longer.”
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Longtime customers Bill Marcks said he has been coming almost every day of the week knowing the plan is to knock Nick’s down in order to build a luxury mall with 60 stores, seven restaurants and a waterfront promenade.
“I’m not crazy about it and I don’t see it really in this area,” Marcks said. “Especially down here it’s too congested as it is.”
Buddy Smith said he worries there will only be more congestion when police set up barriers in a few weeks at Elm and Water Streets, Main and Water Streets and two roads connecting First Avenue and Water Streets.
“It’s going to be a little disheartening going around everything,” Smith said.
Police are blocking the streets because the developer raised concerns about illegal dumping, Mayor Rossi said.
“If they think they need to do that, I trust in their judgement,” Michael Invernale of West Haven said.
A majority of the boarded-up homes the developer purchased from families are still standing.
“When they started tearing things down things down it was right around election time and then after the election time I don’t see nothing being torn down anymore,” Smith said.
Angela Invernale and her father Michael said they aren’t sold on the redevelopment project that is supposed to create more than a thousand jobs and generate millions of dollars in tax revenue.
“Even if they do put up the mall I’m not sure how much its really going help us as a city,” Angela said.
“I don’t see a high-end mall working in this area,” Michael added. “I really don’t, I think it is going to end up housing.”
For now, the loyal customers will enjoy a few more meals at Nick’s.
“He might get something,” Marcks said. “I hope he does because we’re all going to follow.”
Milas said he would like to stay in business in West Haven, but he is still looking for a new location for his luncheonette.
