Attracting a full-service, sit-down restaurant that would serve as an economic anchor for downtown Seymour is among the top 10 suggestions outlined in the town’s “Downtown Action Plan.”
The $18,000 plan — compiled with the help of residents, merchants, town officials and an Avon-based company called Planimetrics — was reviewed by the Seymour Board of Selectmen Sept. 4.
The Selectmen voted Sept. 4 to create a Downtown Committee, members of which will help the goals outlined in the action plan become reality.
The newly formed Downtown Merchants Association — made up of local businesses — will also play a key role.
To summarize — there’s a lot happening to bolster business in downtown Seymour. Fred A. Messore, the town’s economic director, is guiding the process.
“We are moving Seymour in a positive direction,” First Selectmen Kurt Miller said at the Sept. 4 Board of Selectmen meeting. “We’re not just letting these plans sit on the shelf.”
The Plan
The action plan approved by the Selectmen Sept. 4 provides ways the town can enhance downtown, Glenn Chalder, Planimetrics president, told elected officials.
Seymour’s lucky, because there’s a solid foundation on which to build, the consultant said.
The Strand Theater, active merchants and businesses, the Naugatuck River, constant events and the train station are all good for the town.
“Recommendation no. 1 is to really continue the things that are already happening downtown,” Chalder said. “With first Saturdays, the way businesses are working together, the town groups and committees that plan activities downtown … there is a lot going on which gives a really good foundation for the downtown.”
Here are the “top ten” recommendations from the plan:
1. Appoint one person within Public Works as the downtown manager responsible for overall maintenance
2. Establish a downtown committee
3. Enforce parking time limits for on-street spaces to ensure they turnover
4. Adopt a consistent brand message for the downtown
5. Change certain zoning regulations downtown
6. Change certain dimensional requirements (zoning again)
7. Consider reducing parking requirements
8. Attract a sit-down restaurant possibly by subsidizing the rent and/or guaranteeing a rate of return to a business owner
9. Use local billboards to market downtown Seymour
10. Extend trails and walkways to open up the riverfront and waterfalls in Seymour
Several of the top 10 items are already being tackled, Miller said.
Regarding parking, Chalder said there’s plenty of it downtown — but the spaces aren’t necessarily where customers want them to be.
“You have to walk,” he said.
A “destination” restaurant is something the public wants, Chalder said.
“Perhaps the no. 1 thing the residents felt was important was the concept of a destination, sit-down restaurant in the downtown area,” he said.
A full restaurant would give people some place to go before or after events downtown, Chalder said.
“We’ve got great bones here. We have a great opportunity,” he said.
The brochure discussed at the Sept. 4 Selectmen meeting is posted below.
