Editorial Go big, or go home

Author: [no author name found]

When Old Chapel first unveiled its plans for the College-owned property at 51 Main St. over a year ago, we were cautiously optimistic about the space's potential to bring students into contact with area residents in a mutually productive and enjoyable way. Increased student turnout at events like poetry slams and concerts suggests that, at the very least, 51 Main at the Bridge is coming into its own as a viable alternative outlet for campus programming.

Still, the establishment has been plagued up to this point by the College's unwillingness to commit fully to a decisive plan of action. While we appreciate Old Chapel's intent to tread carefully so as not to engender ill will among local merchants - not to mention other community members, including some outspoken College faculty who oppose increased presence in the town of Middlebury - we feel that the time has come to regard the fledgling 51 Main with the same unflinching scrutiny that has recently been aimed at the College's other retail operations.

The resources currently pouring into the venue's development are, by virtue of a targeted donation, restricted for that purpose alone. This exclusivity explains how College officials are considering an expansion of 51 Main's operating hours, even as other dining outlets face cutbacks - or outright closure, in the case of Rehearsals Caf