This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Fix What We Have

As if the looks of CVS’s new design should have anything to do with opposition to it. Even if the proposed architecture mimicked the Taj Mahal, CVS would be unwanted. A second one is redundant. We already have a CVS with its product and pharmaceutical services duplicated in three other businesses, all within walking distance of each other. We should turn our priorities to more worthwhile endeavors in Clinton and revive what we have.

Twenty-seven combined commercial and residential properties, either empty or for sale, occupy Clinton’s commercial Route One. Of these, a half dozen are historic. Building another CVS and leaving the first increases the empties to 28. These are dire statistics. Why would anyone want to turn his attention to building something we don’t need save for a few who would financially benefit from it, when there is so much more to do here? Clinton’s revival should begin by getting those 27 structures working again. Fix what we have!

Much of the lovely historic district area’s flanking sides are loaded with ramshackle buildings of peeling paint sitting on unkempt property. No effort is made to shore up the physical looks of these properties—especially business ones, but some residential as well. What about some repairs, some paint? What about a tree, shrub, or flowers or less pavement? It doesn’t take much work or money, and a make-over tells customers you care about how you look to them. Perhaps the reason so many businesses are shuttered is due to the unwelcome appearance of their store fronts?

We need residential units, too, to put people on Route One. Try selling some of the six houses now commercial as residential. We have a lot of promise on this main route, and revival of it will encourage success for our town.

Lynn Davis

Clinton