The Transformative Impact
I wholeheartedly support the Clinton Route 81 Corridor Study’s recommendations. We face many major issues in Clinton: a declining and aging population, maintaining quality education without the need for tax increases, long-term waste water treatment, historic preservation of our town’s assets, and coastal resiliency. Having the wherewithal to successfully address these issues in town largely rests on growing our economic base by attracting new businesses, residents, and investment in a manner that respects our past, yet ensures a successful future.
The Indian River Development on the old Morgan School site is much-needed news in getting our town’s economy unstuck and moving. It will be a transformative event for Clinton, replacing an old, crumbling building with restaurants, retail shops, a hotel, upscale condominiums. It wouldn’t be wise to simply plop down such a major development onto the old Morgan site without taking full advantage of how such an improvement can help transform the entire Route 81 corridor.
The manner in which the Indian River Development has been complemented within the Route 81 Corridor Study and Plan, recently presented to the town, is another piece of positive news. It’s a very comprehensive review/analysis that provides a thoughtful, forward-looking perspective on what Clinton could become, if we plan accordingly.
The study’s overarching objective is to transform Route 81 from a noisy, mostly scruffy, unkempt highway to an inviting, attractive “main street” from the Post Road to the new Morgan. Median strips, plantings, trees, a wide new sidewalk, and attractive store fronts and cafés facing out onto the street will add to the transformative impact.
Implementing the plan will take many years due to regulatory reviews, approvals, and fund sourcing, but the process has now begun. I encourage your readers to review and support this plan for making Clinton’s future great.
John Allen
Clinton