I think the Smoothie company is in trouble and the last thing it wants is competition from a next door neighbor who builds a nice structure, maintains it, keeps the parking lot and sidewalks around it clear of litter, creates a pleasant environment -- instead of allowing it to get run down and unattractive as has happened with Smoothie.

In my opinion the recent residential developments in New Haven have all bee intended for high-rent tenants. New Haven has Turner its back on the middle-class worker, who couldn't afford to live in the Smoothie building, 360 State, Winchester lofts, etc. This is the wrong approach to housing development.

RFM, the market must be allowed to bear what it will bear. Economics determine value, not fairness.

Why do the owners of the Smoothie building have a say (more than other citizens)? What about all the businesses downtown that want the added density people living downtown? What about all the other citizens of New Haven that want additional taxable properties?

I've heard from tenants of existing businesses on union st that the buyer/developer is backing out of buying buildings he was going to purchase. Although it seems the smoothie management company isn't the best I do know tenants that like the building. Firestone would love the increased customer base I'm sure. As for rent prices ,that's the the owners call and that would be dictated by the ability to rent the apts , if you can't afford it move where you can. Competition will either improve surrounding properties or the offenders will have lower rent buildings in short order. That's life.

Some cities recognize the importance to their social and economic health that new projects have a range of prices that permit workers to live in the city. These are agreements made with developers to ensure a sustainable social environment, and do not respond solely to market demands.

@RFM, New Haven has been one of those cities for a long time when it comes to properties sold or subsidized by the government.

@Harley that's a bummer to hear that there's a chance the developer is backing out. This is contrary to what I have heard but it would not surprise me if one of these projects falls apart from bureaucratic delay and a future slowing of the market.

I was really looking forward to having better neighbors than Comcast, which refuses to even sweep its sidewalks. Bummer if it is true

Update here: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/wooster_square_projects/

This project seems to have been derailed :(