Mad About Midd City planning anyone?

Author: Dave Barker

Middlebury voters overwhelmingly supported the Cross Street Bridge location last week at the annual town meeting. I hope the $75,000 appropriated for the preliminary planning and engineering of the span that will cut across Otter Creek next to Mr. Up's leads to the construction of a bridge after a half-century of bickering and dallying. Perhaps an even bigger infrastructural improvement went missing from the ballot last week: the relocation of the Municipal Building where voters convened.

Many correctional institutions have more charm than the municipal gym and adjoining town offices located at the corner of College and South Main Streets. Constructed in the late 1930s with a WPA grant to serve as the town high school, the building has plumbing, electrical, ventilation and accessibility problems.

Discussion of relocation last arose in 2002 when the College offered to provide $3 million of the cost of constructing a new town hall that would be located to the south at Maple Manor. College leaders planned for a park in place of the Municipal building. The town didn't take the offer and in November 2002, voters even rejected a bond measure to build a new municipal building at the existing site. Faced with severe property taxes, Middlebury voters are understandably wary when it comes to new building projects, but I can't help but imagine ways to better utilize the land.

I am tempted to propose an extension of the commercial amenities of Main Street that would conveniently serve college students. A second Bev-Co or cheap eatery/bar (crepe shack anyone?) could be profitable so close to campus. However, the town lacks public space that draws together residents and college students. When was the last time you saw the Town Green being used for anything besides a demonstration?

I envision a public space that would be both park and town meeting area. The more athletically inclined could duke it out on basketball or roller hockey courts. Shuffleboard and chess would accommodate those carrying AARP cards.

Two buildings would be added to the space. A smaller town hall (who goes these days anyway?) akin to the picturesque buildings in Ripton or Cornwall would double as a political meeting space and as a studio for activities like yoga and Tai Chi. Trust me on the former - yoga isn't just for those who eschew Lucky Charms for granola. Tai Chi will become even more popular as our parents near retirement.

A second building will serve as an art gallery where College and town artists could display their own work or collaborate and teach classes to kids. Too much of student work here gets relegated to Johnson or to the first floor of John McCardell, Jr., Bicentennial Hall. To see the work of local artists, you need $30 for a nice dinner at Tully and Marie's.

Money and naming rights for the new park would be the work of a public-private partnership. Of course, if any of these ideas are used, I expect a statue of myself, David - preferably clothed.