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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rich_V174SS on January 08, 2014, 04:13:56 PM

Title: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rich_V174SS on January 08, 2014, 04:13:56 PM
Interesting boating topic going on in my area, a must read to see what big corporations, land developers, and greedy politicians are doing behind our backs.

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Angela-Carella-Developer-to-defend-boatyard-5122354.php (http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Angela-Carella-Developer-to-defend-boatyard-5122354.php)

In addition:
http://windcheckmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1686:stamford-harbor-update&catid=92:checking-in&Itemid=417 (http://windcheckmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1686:stamford-harbor-update&catid=92:checking-in&Itemid=417)
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rich_V174SS on January 08, 2014, 04:59:54 PM
A picture of Stamford Harbor. The area marked with an (A) is the former 14 acre boatyard site that was demolished, (B) was the proposed 3.5 acre boatyard relocation site. That proposed site is almost 10 minutes up-channel at no-wake speed and cannot in any way shape or form accommodate the kind of business that was handled by the former boatyard.
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rich_V174SS on January 09, 2014, 11:41:21 AM
I guess it's not all that interesting.  :-/
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: MarkS on January 09, 2014, 12:19:27 PM
Sounds like a real mess, Rich!  I read the related articles, hope they hold BLT's feet to the fire on this one for sure.  The fact that they claim to "not know" that a marina can be replaced with an entirely eco-friendly unit tells the story, IMHO.  Tell them to pick up a copy of Marina and Dock Age and do a little research, it's going on everywhere. 
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rich_V174SS on January 09, 2014, 12:32:31 PM
The point of the story is BLT isn't interested (and never was interested) in building a boat yard. It was part of a huge plan between former Mayor (now CT Governor), BLT and Bridgewater Associates to build a headquarters on the site of the boatyard so BLT and the Gov. can reap all the benefits in huge kickbacks. And the entire boating community as well as the historical boatyard are paying the price for it.
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Plugcheck on January 09, 2014, 12:33:30 PM
      Always sad to see landmarks and favorite destinations change, but this occurs everywhere.   Folks are addicted to "new" and willing to pay for it.  I'm sure everyone can attest to the lifecycle of Mall Shopping.   I agree it is a sad condition, but there comes a point in time where the value and tax assessments drive the little folks out to further pastures.  We have our own setbacks here in the midwest, but a large chunk of the recreational aspect of the Missouri river areas were wiped out by flooding, not developers.   Now the Fed has bought up the lands for floodplain, and nothing can go back in.   At least 3 destinations and four marinas are gone.   My $0.02  Michael  
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: dorelse on January 09, 2014, 12:45:58 PM
Interesting that they've gone ahead with the tear down knowing that its zoned for water-dependent commercial activity.

I suspect that they figured they could do it, pay a fine, say they're sorry, and get their headquarters built...

Keep us updated Rich!
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rich_V174SS on January 09, 2014, 12:55:00 PM
This BLT is known for not following the rules. They are developing all the land just north of the boatyard with commercial and residential buildings, a real clean-up and "beautify" project on the land that was once occupied by industry giant Pitney Bowes. It's been said that all their workers are OUT-OF-STATE laborers, none of the local Unions are being used. Our "little" boatyard has no place in their plan so they think they can come in and do whatever they want.
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: MarkS on January 09, 2014, 01:09:42 PM
The point of the story is BLT isn't interested (and never was interested) in building a boat yard. It was part of a huge plan between former Mayor (now CT Governor), BLT and Bridgewater Associates to build a headquarters on the site of the boatyard so BLT and the Gov. can reap all the benefits in huge kickbacks. And the entire boating community as well as the historical boatyard are paying the price for it.
Exactly!  In a perfect world they would be forced to rebuild the marina to modern specs, or build nothing at all!  (We know that's not going to happen, right?)  Let us know how the hearing comes out, it will be interesting to see what happens from here. 
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rich_V174SS on January 09, 2014, 01:21:10 PM
Here's the newest article, BLT plead their case about destroying the boatyard and fight the stop-work order against them:

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/BLT-makes-case-against-stop-work-order-5126016.php (http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/BLT-makes-case-against-stop-work-order-5126016.php)
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rosscoe on January 10, 2014, 09:22:17 AM
Its all about money...greed. Those kind do not have to follow the same rules as the rest of us. A boat yard/Marina is about the most "viable" use of water front property there is but they can make more $$ using it for other things. I love that, they "secretly" removed the buildings. Just squash the little guy. They don't have the money to fight back. I hope they get fined up the wazoo!
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rich_V174SS on January 10, 2014, 09:36:29 AM
BLT just had their A$$ handed to them:

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Board-rejects-developer-s-boatyard-appeal-5129563.php (http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Board-rejects-developer-s-boatyard-appeal-5129563.php)
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Plugcheck on January 10, 2014, 12:54:06 PM
       Definately a better outcome, but I wonder what will happen next.   Could a marina return as part of a business park?  Restore the marina?   
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rich_V174SS on January 10, 2014, 01:13:10 PM
I think that was an original proposal to have a marina and business headquarters co-exist on the property but the marina would have to run at a severely diminished operating level. The original boatyard took up all the space on the 14 acre property. BLT kept procrastinating about coming up with a boatyard plan for the property because they never intended to include it, it wasn't in "their" plan. So they created a whole bunch of stall tactics, one after another, even after they were given a deadline to come up with a viable solution to the boatyard. Now they are starting to pay the price for their stupidity.
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: thedeuceman on January 11, 2014, 08:08:42 AM
I think it's really cool that BLT got put down...
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rosscoe on January 12, 2014, 08:23:20 AM
Ha ha...good!
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rich_V174SS on March 19, 2014, 06:21:35 PM
Latest news on the demolished boatyard:

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Pier-review-Boatyard-supporters-to-present-plan-5328740.php (http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Pier-review-Boatyard-supporters-to-present-plan-5328740.php)
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: dorelse on March 19, 2014, 08:36:58 PM
So, the save the boatyard people are presenting their own plan?  (and sounds like Bridgewater isn't moving to Stamford?)
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rich_V174SS on March 19, 2014, 08:39:45 PM
The Mayor would still like to see Bridgewater move to Stamford but just not at the site of the boatyard. I think Bridgewater is looking more to upgrade their current building rather than move.
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rich_V174SS on March 24, 2014, 10:23:11 AM
New article:

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Stamford-boaters-look-to-restore-boatyard-5343005.php (http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Stamford-boaters-look-to-restore-boatyard-5343005.php)
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: MarkS on March 24, 2014, 04:26:36 PM
Sounds like a (possible) step in the right direction, hope they can put together the funding to make it happen!
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rich_V174SS on March 03, 2018, 11:55:23 AM
Update to the long drawn out drama. Things are looking better for the boatyard now that the State Supreme Court has gotten involved.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Judge-refuses-to-dismiss-Stamford-boatyard-case-12720207.php (https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Judge-refuses-to-dismiss-Stamford-boatyard-case-12720207.php)
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: dorelse on March 03, 2018, 12:12:13 PM
Update to the long drawn out drama. Things are looking better for the boatyard now that the State Supreme Court has gotten involved.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Judge-refuses-to-dismiss-Stamford-boatyard-case-12720207.php (https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Judge-refuses-to-dismiss-Stamford-boatyard-case-12720207.php)

I was actually just about to ask!
Title: Re: Interesting Boating Topic Going On In My Area
Post by: Rich_V174SS on March 03, 2018, 12:39:27 PM
I was waiting in anticipation of this article too.

To show how shady BLT is - you see the twin tower apartment building in the picture in this recent news article? BLT constructed that twin tower illegally. Their original plan for the building submitted was denied by the city because it was mandated the building be no more than 15 stories so as not to disrupt the city skyline as viewed from the water. Buildings were supposed to get taller as you approach the center of town, shorter at the shoreline. Plus, everything in the waterfront property is mostly landfill. So, BLT submitted another building plan to satisfy the city requirement of 15 floors housing a hotel and apartments, but decided to build their original design and probably paid people off to look the other way. Before anyone could say anything too much of the project was completed to do anything about it. I count 22 floors if you include the elevator machinery rooms at the top. There's apparently a clause that states "reasonable construction completed" prevents anyone from telling the developer to tear it down and start over.