North Haven Mall
Encyclopedia
The North Haven Mall was a shopping mall
proposed for construction in North Haven
, Connecticut
.
began paying the town $2,500 a month in September, 1975 to maintain an option
on the land. In addition, in August 1978, Mall Properties began paying $6,000 more per month for engineering fees. This went toward planned geographic changes; a widening of Washington Avenue, extending Valley Service Road over train tracks with a new bridge, connecting North Haven with Wallingford
at Toelles Road. Valley Service Road would also be widened from two lanes to six.
The overall land area was 117.5 acres in size, bounded by the Quinnipiac River
on the west, and I-91 on the east. Often singled out for particular mention by the media were 28.2 acres between Stillman Road and Quinnipiac River
, likely because they were the first land purchased. Aside from the town's sale, there were three other land owners dealt with in private transactions.
, J. C. Penney
, Macy's
, and Sears. There would also have been a hundred smaller shops. A recreational facility could have been constructed, using land from a pond that would be dredged during development. The Mall would be located on a street named Mall Drive.
The city of North Haven cited the necessity of progress, estimated $2.5 million in possible tax revenue, and the creation of up to 3,000 permanent new jobs. There would also be the benefit of payrolls of approximately $15 million for local and area construction workers. The mall was given the endorsement of Meriden
City Manager
Dana Miller, despite an existing mall
in Meriden.
, Mayor of New Haven, on grounds that the suburban mall would drain urban business away. Logue subsequently uncovered federal law
s; Section 10 of
the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899
, and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
, requiring a permit
from the Army Corps of Engineers to build on wetland
. Approximately 56 acres of the land was wetlands, and the developers' plan was to fill 31 acres.
This prompted First Selectman
Walter Gawrych to order a full reassessment of relations with New Haven, based on "unparalleled interference on the part of a large city with the affairs of a small town". Nevertheless, the mall continued to be opposed by Logue's successor, Mayor Biagio DiLieto
.
There was also opposition from Stop the Mall, led by Roberta Friedman; a group of locals concerned about traffic (projected to be 42,000 weekday trips, and 56,000 Saturday trips), taxes, and other effects on the town. Opponents also cited the effects of urbanization
, air pollution
generated by increased traffic, merchants subjected to high rents, and a local inundation of fast food restaurants. Stop the Mall was provided technical assistance by the Connecticut Citizens Action Group (CCAG).
As the fight over the mall dragged on, Stop the Mall cited in 1979 the difference between the sale price and the then-current fair market land value, the resulting net loss to the town, and absence of property taxes.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) conducted an independent study in 1980 at the requests of DiLieto and the Army, predicting that the mall would result in "substantial losses of trade, tenants, and future investment potential" in regional towns.
Although initially granting a favorable report, the Corps denied a permit to the town, "concluding the project was contrary to the public interest". Contributing factors were an adverse impact New Haven's economic development and, Governor of Connecticut, William O'Neill
's statement at a July 1985 meeting that building the North Haven Mall was not worth the risk to New Haven.
Media considered the battle over the mall to come to an end in August, 1985, when "officials" related that on the grounds that the mall would be a detriment to the neighboring city of New Haven, resulting in a loss of up to 20 percent in retail business. Still, court battles continued to be fought.
A district court
found in 1987 that the Corps had exceeded its authority. New Haven challenged the decision in 1988, feeling that it had as good as granted permission for the mall to proceed. The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
dismissed the case, explaining that Mall Properties' process had only moved to another forum and had not yet been realized.
New Haven took the case to the Supreme Court
in 1988, but was denied its request for a writ of certiorari
. Nevertheless, the mall was never constructed.
halted New Haven's plans to build the New Haven Galleria
in the late-1990s and early-2000s.
Although a mall was never built in North Haven, the nearby Universal Drive later turned into "retail focal point" for the area.
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
proposed for construction in North Haven
North Haven, Connecticut
North Haven is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut on the outskirts of New Haven, Connecticut.North Haven is less than ten miles from downtown New Haven and Yale University. It is near Sleeping Giant State Park and home the Quinnipiac University School of Health Sciences, the School of Nursing,...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
.
Land acquisition
A North Haven town meeting authorized sale of land for the mall at $18,000 an acre, for a total of $507,600 in 1973. Developer Mall Properties, Inc. of New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
began paying the town $2,500 a month in September, 1975 to maintain an option
Option (finance)
In finance, an option is a derivative financial instrument that specifies a contract between two parties for a future transaction on an asset at a reference price. The buyer of the option gains the right, but not the obligation, to engage in that transaction, while the seller incurs the...
on the land. In addition, in August 1978, Mall Properties began paying $6,000 more per month for engineering fees. This went toward planned geographic changes; a widening of Washington Avenue, extending Valley Service Road over train tracks with a new bridge, connecting North Haven with Wallingford
Wallingford, Connecticut
Wallingford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 43,026 at the 2000 census.- History :Wallingford was established on October 10, 1667, when the Connecticut General Assembly authorized the "making of a village on the east river" to 38 planters and freemen...
at Toelles Road. Valley Service Road would also be widened from two lanes to six.
The overall land area was 117.5 acres in size, bounded by the Quinnipiac River
Quinnipiac River
The Quinnipiac River is a river in the New England region of the United States, located entirely in the state of Connecticut.It rises in west central Connecticut from Dead Wood Swamp west of the city of New Britain...
on the west, and I-91 on the east. Often singled out for particular mention by the media were 28.2 acres between Stillman Road and Quinnipiac River
Quinnipiac River
The Quinnipiac River is a river in the New England region of the United States, located entirely in the state of Connecticut.It rises in west central Connecticut from Dead Wood Swamp west of the city of New Britain...
, likely because they were the first land purchased. Aside from the town's sale, there were three other land owners dealt with in private transactions.
Features and support
The two-story mall was envisioned as $40 million and 900,000 square feet, and enlarged to $150 million and 1.1 million square feet. At the time, it would have been the largest enclosed mall in the state. Four anchor stores committed, G. Fox & Co.G. Fox & Co.
G. Fox & Co. was a large department store that originated in Hartford, Connecticut. The store was also the largest privately held department store in the nation when it was sold in 1965 to the May Department Stores Company. In 1992 May Department stores phased out the G. Fox & Co. name converting...
, J. C. Penney
J. C. Penney
-External links:*...
, Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
, and Sears. There would also have been a hundred smaller shops. A recreational facility could have been constructed, using land from a pond that would be dredged during development. The Mall would be located on a street named Mall Drive.
The city of North Haven cited the necessity of progress, estimated $2.5 million in possible tax revenue, and the creation of up to 3,000 permanent new jobs. There would also be the benefit of payrolls of approximately $15 million for local and area construction workers. The mall was given the endorsement of Meriden
Meriden, Connecticut
Meriden is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 59,653.-History:...
City Manager
City manager
A city manager is an official appointed as the administrative manager of a city, in a council-manager form of city government. Local officials serving in this position are sometimes referred to as the chief executive officer or chief administrative officer in some municipalities...
Dana Miller, despite an existing mall
Westfield Meriden
Westfield Meriden, originally, The Meriden Square Mall, and later Westfield Shoppingtown Meriden, is a shopping mall located in Meriden, Connecticut. At almost 900,000 square feet, Westfield Meriden is Connecticut's seventh largest mall, housing over 140 shops. The 5 anchors include Best Buy,...
in Meriden.
Opposition
The mall was opposed by Frank LogueFrank Logue
Frank Logue was the 25th mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, serving from 1976 to 1979.His mother was widowed, leaving her to support five children during the depression on a kindergarten teacher's salary. Frank Logue and his three brothers all attended Yale University, where, after Pearl Harbor,...
, Mayor of New Haven, on grounds that the suburban mall would drain urban business away. Logue subsequently uncovered federal law
Federal law
Federal law is the body of law created by the federal government of a country. A federal government is formed when a group of political units, such as states or provinces join together in a federation, surrendering their individual sovereignty and many powers to the central government while...
s; Section 10 of
the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899
The Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 is the oldest federal environmental law in the United States. The Act makes it a misdemeanor to discharge refuse matter of any kind into the navigable waters, or tributaries thereof, of the United States without a permit; this specific provision is...
, and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Commonly abbreviated as the CWA, the act established the goals of eliminating releases of high amounts of toxic substances into water, eliminating additional water pollution by 1985, and ensuring that...
, requiring a permit
Permit
Permit may refer to:*Permit *Various legal licenses:*License*Work permit*Learner's permit*Permit to travel*Construction permit*Home Return Permit*One-way Permit*Permit is the common name for the Trachinotus falcatus, a type of Pompano....
from the Army Corps of Engineers to build on wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
. Approximately 56 acres of the land was wetlands, and the developers' plan was to fill 31 acres.
This prompted First Selectman
First Selectman
The first selectman is the head of the board of selectmen in some New England towns....
Walter Gawrych to order a full reassessment of relations with New Haven, based on "unparalleled interference on the part of a large city with the affairs of a small town". Nevertheless, the mall continued to be opposed by Logue's successor, Mayor Biagio DiLieto
Biagio DiLieto
Biagio "Ben" DiLieto was Mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, from 1980 to 1989, serving as the city's 26th mayor.DiLieto was chief of police in New Haven from 1970 to 1976. He first ran for mayor in 1977, when he narrowly lost the Democratic primary to incumbent Frank Logue. He ran again in 1979,...
.
There was also opposition from Stop the Mall, led by Roberta Friedman; a group of locals concerned about traffic (projected to be 42,000 weekday trips, and 56,000 Saturday trips), taxes, and other effects on the town. Opponents also cited the effects of urbanization
Urbanization
Urbanization, urbanisation or urban drift is the physical growth of urban areas as a result of global change. The United Nations projected that half of the world's population would live in urban areas at the end of 2008....
, air pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
generated by increased traffic, merchants subjected to high rents, and a local inundation of fast food restaurants. Stop the Mall was provided technical assistance by the Connecticut Citizens Action Group (CCAG).
As the fight over the mall dragged on, Stop the Mall cited in 1979 the difference between the sale price and the then-current fair market land value, the resulting net loss to the town, and absence of property taxes.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, is a Cabinet department in the Executive branch of the United States federal government...
(HUD) conducted an independent study in 1980 at the requests of DiLieto and the Army, predicting that the mall would result in "substantial losses of trade, tenants, and future investment potential" in regional towns.
Although initially granting a favorable report, the Corps denied a permit to the town, "concluding the project was contrary to the public interest". Contributing factors were an adverse impact New Haven's economic development and, Governor of Connecticut, William O'Neill
William O'Neill (Connecticut politician)
William Atchison O'Neill was a twentieth century U.S. political figure, most notably as the 84th Governor of Connecticut from 1980 to 1991....
's statement at a July 1985 meeting that building the North Haven Mall was not worth the risk to New Haven.
Media considered the battle over the mall to come to an end in August, 1985, when "officials" related that on the grounds that the mall would be a detriment to the neighboring city of New Haven, resulting in a loss of up to 20 percent in retail business. Still, court battles continued to be fought.
A district court
District court
District courts are a category of courts which exists in several nations. These include:-Australia:District Court is the name given to the intermediate court in most Australian States. They hear indictable criminal offences excluding treason, murder and, in some States, manslaughter...
found in 1987 that the Corps had exceeded its authority. New Haven challenged the decision in 1988, feeling that it had as good as granted permission for the mall to proceed. The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Maine* District of Massachusetts...
dismissed the case, explaining that Mall Properties' process had only moved to another forum and had not yet been realized.
New Haven took the case to the Supreme Court
Supreme court
A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of many legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, instance court, judgment court, high court, or apex court...
in 1988, but was denied its request for a writ of certiorari
Certiorari
Certiorari is a type of writ seeking judicial review, recognized in U.S., Roman, English, Philippine, and other law. Certiorari is the present passive infinitive of the Latin certiorare...
. Nevertheless, the mall was never constructed.
Aftermath
The "strategy New Haven itself had pioneered to fight North Haven's mall" was later used against it, when the city of MilfordMilford, Connecticut
Milford is a coastal city in southwestern New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, located between Bridgeport and New Haven. The population was 52,759 at the 2010 census...
halted New Haven's plans to build the New Haven Galleria
New Haven Galleria
The New Haven Galleria at Long Wharf was a shopping mall proposed for construction in New Haven, Connecticut by mayoral candidate Wally Grigo in 1993....
in the late-1990s and early-2000s.
Although a mall was never built in North Haven, the nearby Universal Drive later turned into "retail focal point" for the area.