[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Lalalally

It actually does. Ridgefield is at a crossroads. Zoning reg changes are being contemplated right now which would favor retail leases vs service oriented leases at the street/ storefront level. Retail is apparently hurting there, like many other locales.

Well, not quite. Retail in downtown Ridgefield was hurting in the 2008 recession and lasted until about 2015. During that time, landlords leased first floor space, which was prior retail, as office space as opposed to retail. Most recently, since the economy has improved, the word "revitalize" has been thrown around by local media and politicians however what it really means is town officials (and business owners/residents) want to see first floor space back to being solely for retail - Darien did something similar. Ridgefield is not even close to requiring revitalization. It's a thriving community, and real estate values show that. I can tell you firsthand, homes are selling for asking price as soon as they hit the market.

[Lalalally]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Well, not quite. Retail in downtown Ridgefield was hurting in the 2008 recession and lasted until about 2015. During that time, landlords leased first floor space, which was prior retail, as office space as opposed to retail. Most recently, since the economy has improved, the word "revitalize" has been thrown around by local media and politicians however what it really means is town officials (and business owners/residents) want to see first floor space back to being solely for retail - Darien did something similar. Ridgefield is not even close to requiring revitalization. It's a thriving community, and real estate values show that. I can tell you firsthand, homes are selling for asking price as soon as they hit the market.

Oh I don't doubt at all that homes are selling. I was just commenting on an article I read recently. I'll try to find it. And it has nothing to do with Ridgefield in particular, and more to do with a nationwide shift in how people shop. Retail brick and mortar places are apparently having a hard time all over. I think what they're trying to accomplish in Ridgefield is more along the lines of encouraging retail at street level, and discouraging service industry type places.

[hipstermomdanbury]

Crime Continues to Drop in Danbury


Crime continues to drop in Danbury - NewsTimes


Mayor Boughton Up and Walking!


Crime continues to drop in Danbury - NewsTimes

[Back to NE]

Originally Posted by hipstermomdanbury

I lived in NW Washington before it became hip.


I also lived in Philly neighborhoods and Oakland, CA neighborhoods before they become super cool, too.


People, when I lived there said all the same negative things and more worrisome...
'
They were all wrong.


HipsterMom

You lived in NW Washington before it became hip? So you must be in your 70s or 80s?

Anyway, I am heartened by your posts saying my childhood home-town has become hip. Almost all of my peers with any ambition at all had to leave Danbury in the 1980s. Every visit since shows Danbury falling further backward, I used to think it was a small city, now it's more like a big town.

So I'm thinking, Danbury can be considered hip by mothers with young kids. But the more important question is: could it be considered hip for recent college graduates deciding where to begin their adult lives?
That's when hip counts. I'm still thinking, no way.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Lalalally

Oh I don't doubt at all that homes are selling. I was just commenting on an article I read recently. I'll try to find it. And it has nothing to do with Ridgefield in particular, and more to do with a nationwide shift in how people shop. Retail brick and mortar places are apparently having a hard time all over. I think what they're trying to accomplish in Ridgefield is more along the lines of encouraging retail at street level, and discouraging service industry type places.

Yeah, I know exactly which article you're referring to (Newstimes). My defense of Ridgefield is mostly that it doesn't have to be revitalized the same way a city like Danbury does.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Yeah, I know exactly which article you're referring to (Newstimes). My defense of Ridgefield is mostly that it doesn't have to be revitalized the same way a city like Danbury does.

I don't think you need to defend anything. Ridgefield is a very vibrant town and I agree it hardly needs any revitalization.

I think that the reason the regs are being reviewed are the same as what happened here in Glastonbury several years ago. An MRI office took space on the ground floor of Eriktown Square on Hebron Avenue. Some locals did not like it and there was quite a letter writing campaign about it. The office is allowed under the zoning regulations. The town pointed out that it is no different than the local YMCA's storefront office in the Fox Run Shopping center or the eyeglass place with an eye doctor across the street. Limiting an MRI facility would mean having to limit those offices as well. People need to realize that you can't pick and choose. Jay

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by Lalalally

Oh I don't doubt at all that homes are selling. I was just commenting on an article I read recently. I'll try to find it. And it has nothing to do with Ridgefield in particular, and more to do with a nationwide shift in how people shop. Retail brick and mortar places are apparently having a hard time all over. I think what they're trying to accomplish in Ridgefield is more along the lines of encouraging retail at street level, and discouraging service industry type places.

No I was talking about large fancy apartment developments like the one's in Stamford where milleniums want to live due to the coastal location with access to the train line/highways etc. Nobody's going to build those in Danbury and Ridgefield.

[hipstermomdanbury]

This is what is being built here. So, you are wrong.


Luxury Townhomes Fairfield County | Danbury | Copper Square


Sorry, but your ideas about Danbury are out-of-date now.


I just met two older parents with millenials...all still have their kids living here in Danbury.

Two families, one with four kids, the other two...all of them have chosen to live in Danbury after graduation from college.


Two of the four kids work in New Haven (31 and 28 years old);
Number three works in Redding (she is 26), one works in Danbury.


The other family with two kids both work in Danbury.

[hipstermomdanbury]

I should mention the mother works as a lunch aide at Stadley Rough School, a public elementary school here in Danbury...they sent their kids to Saint Gregory the Great School and their kids plan to do the same!

[hipstermomdanbury]

Tesla will be opening a Supercharger in Danbury this year.


Yeah! So excited.