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EEDC Members: |
September
21, 2004
Jim Rode Dear Jim, On behalf of the Essex Economic Development Commission, I’m writing in support of expanded regular transportation services for the River Estuary District towns. Such expansion will not only support residents in need, but can also provide economic benefits to area businesses. Over the last several years, the Essex Economic Development Commission struggled with a number of empty storefronts in our village centers. While many of these stores are now once again occupied, we continue to study local impediments to business. At the top of village merchants’ list is a lack of adequate parking. Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton were all designed well before the invention of the automobile, and as such offer limited parking options to visitors with very little potential for new parking facilities. Although larger lots are nearby, none are within a comfortable walking distance for most visitors to town. We also met with the operators of the Essex Steam Train, a top ten Connecticut tourist destination, and learned that very few of their visitors stay in town after completing their trip. We are presently working with the Estuary Transit District to develop a service that can help residents in need while simultaneously strengthening our local economy. Our preliminary plans are for the bus to run through our village centers timed with the Essex Steam Train schedule. If the service can run on a regular basis, we are confident that many visitors will take advantage of a hassle-free way to visit area shops. The only way for this to be successful long term is for the service to be available on a regular daily schedule. We believe residents, especially young people, will also take advantage of this service if they knew they could always ‘catch a bus’ at a convenient time and place. Sincerely, Cc: Economic Development Commission |
Essex, CT Economic Development Commission
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