2016
The Wintonbury Mall is an example of 1970's urban renewal,  when strip shopping malls had to be surrounded by parking in order to appeal to the marketing culture at the time.  Forty-five years later, things have changed, but the Wintonbury Mall hasn't. Today, there is more interest in New Urbanism, the practice of recreating the older pattern of mixed commercial/residential developments reconnecting with the street and emphasizing pedestrian movement and enjoyment, while relegating the automobile to garage or interior locations.

History

The Wintonbury Mall went into foreclosure in the late 2000s and was purchased a few years ago. Unfortunately, the new owner seems to show little interest in doing more than basic maintenance while expecting high returns on his investment. A good deal of design treatment and thought was provided in the Town Center Revitalization Plan as part of Bloomfield’s 2012 Plan of Conservation & Development (POCD). The town should work with and encourage the owner to upgrade the Mall, using regulatory controls and incentives along with financial incentives to achieve their  mutual goals.  For example:

• Update the Mall's appearance and vitality by increasing retail tenancy, even if reduced rents may be necessary to initially attract more innovative, entrepreneurial owner occupants. Make the Mall the place to be, providing useful synergies with the library and Town Hall.

• Consider zoning incentives that allow more development density  in return for achieving  urban design and pedestrian objectives outlined in the POCD.
  
• Consider financing incentives to aim to consolidate and increase parking options in the Town Center.
  

What can we do?

Bloomfield should follow the vision set forth in its Plan of Conservation & Development as the basis for all property negotiations. Should that vision change, the plan should be updated