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| Main Street, 1963 |
Vacant Lots and Broken Dreams:
Urban Renewal in Willimantic Connecticut
Richard Baber
Over the next two years, redevelopment efforts were in full swing. Downtown utilities were buried. hundred year old water and gas lines were replaced, and sidewalks were laid and new street lights were installed. Landscaping was done citywide: parks and parking lots were planned, and the newly restored Jillson House was turned over to the Windham Historical Society. The downtown rehabilitation and restoration of the many historic buildings was begun. However in the middle of the city was a ten acre vacant lot. Bids were received and proposals were reviewed but either the plans were not appropriate or the developers were not acceptable. When Betty Lou Williams resigned as executive director February 26, 1079, there was no potential developers in site.
Today the downtown parcel, the centerpiece of what was to be a model for urban revitalization is still empty, The WRA did use redevelopment funds to create a municipal parking lot on it and a small strip surrounding the Jillson House museum was landscaped and deeded to the city as a park. The only private commercial development occupying a half acre was the six screen Jilson Square Cinema built by Cates Enterprise of Cambridge Massachusetts and opened in 1978. The remaining 9.3 acres remain as open space. Although
proposals are still occasionally being submitted to the WRA non have been found acceptable. In the aftermath. there are many questions regarding the value of Willimantic's redevelopment program to the city.
On the plus side the city did benefit from the many physical improvements that were funded by HUD money. In addition to the improved infrastructure, such as wide well lit streets, new brick bordered sidewalks, parking lots, parks and attractive landscaping citywide, Willimantic added new government buildings. Also there was some private commercial development which is tax generating. Liberty Bank and Clark's Restaurant , the old Willimantic Trust and Connecticut Bank and Trust, The Broadcaster and WILI buildings and the Jilson Cinemas were all built on redevelopment parcels, The rehabilitation program did and still does provide people with grants and low interest loans to apply to the historic structures that remain. Many of the beautiful Victorians that are showcased in Willimantic were restored under this program.
On the human side there were benefits from some additional housing as a result of urban renewal. The high-rise elderly complex on Valley Street and the clustered Father Honan Village on Jackson Street were financed with federal and state money as replacement housing for those elderly displaced by urban renewal. As a result of the downtown clearance,
the privately funded Windham Heights project was built in anticipation of the need for low- income housing. There were many people that found that relocation was an improvement. "It's the best thing that ever happened to me" said Adelainda Cichon of her move from Union Street were she frequently saw or was a victim of crime, to the high rise for the elderly on Valley Street. Benjamin Morales, who was relocated from a three room apartment for $100 per month on Valley Street Extension, to a five room apartment for $120 per month at 17 Pearl Street said: I like the new surroundings much better and have basically kept the same friends since moving. " Mr and Mrs Estaban Coinception were moved from a rental apartment in the target area to a home at 13/15 Pearl St.that they were able to purchase with a replacement housing payment from WRA.
A look at some of the negative consequences of urban renewal reveals that not everyone fared as well. In total 154 families and 104 individuals representing 675 people were displaced due to phase 1 of urban renewal. Although some moved to new homes of the same quality or better then the one they left, most did not. Those that ended up at one of the city's subsidized housing complexes or at Winhan Heights found themselves living with more crime and dispair then before and without the sense of neighborhood that was present downtown. In addition 129 businesses were displaced. Many such as Sherwin-Williams, Friendly Variety Store,relocated nearby and are still in business today. Some such as Tubridey's or The Hoot, deserted downtown for the East Brook Mall while others such as Lindy's Restaurant, Railroad Street Package Store, Gay's Florist or the New England Institute of Music could simply not afford to relocate, or if they did, they found they were too far away from their old clientele to survive.
Other negative aspects of Willimantic redevelopment include the unfulfilled goals, the loss of tax revenue and the potential for profiteering and graft. But without question one of the biggest drawbacks was the permanent loss of much of Willimantic's architectural heritage. Joy P. Favretti said it the best."I'm compelled to put in writing my feelings about your city as it seems to me that there are to few who understand or appreciate charm. For goodness sakes while you still have something left down there, slow down, Take time to study Willimantic's history. Then take a whole day to walk your town... its many parks, open space, waterfalls, old factory buildings...Willi is a fantastic collection of 19th century architecture and a delightful small town atmosphere pervades its tree shaded byways...Your town is a real calender picture town of a type that many can only dream of now While you still have it , For God's sake, and for the sake of all future generations, take it to you heart, love it, don't destroy it,"
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