10 residentNorwich NCDC Has Great Things in Store for Norwich!


October 5 ~ 18, 2011 the Resident 860.599.1221 www.theresident.com


(l-r, standing) Kent Baker, NCDC Board President and Attorney, David DiBattista, Vice President, NCDC Board, Anthony Joyce, Vice President, Dime Bank, James Sullivan, Sullivan Consulting, Charles Whitty, Norwich Housing Authority, , City Manager Alan Bergeren (sitting) John Bilda, NCDC Treasurer and NPU General Manager, Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom, Robert Tabor, Retired from Chelsea Groton Bank, Frank Blanchard, Prime Electric, are working together to transform Downtown Norwich into a vibrant residential and retail community.


story & photo by Anna Trusky


O


n September 22, the Board of the Norwich Community Development Corporation


(NCDC) met to discuss plans for that historic town - and they’re making great things happen to transform the downtown into a vibrant residential and retail community!


The NCDC, a private, not-for-


profit organization of business and civic leaders, helps create opportunities for business through development and renovation projects such as the Stanley Israelite Business Park, Mercantile Exchange building, Norwich Superior Courthouse,and Norwich Marina. Their mission is


to further the economic development of the town through growth and development of its park, revitalization of the downtown area, and preservation of the historic harbor and waterfront.


At the meeting, the Board expressed its pleasure to be working with Boston-based Cecil Group, which was involved in the highly


downtown to create a community that includes businesses, retail and residential. A marketing strategy is underway to attract business and residents to the town.


The Board discussed their Revitalization Rollout planned for


Thursday, September 29 at successful revitalization of


Providence, to help with the NCDC’s Vibrant Communities Project. This project will maximize the use of historic buildings by looking at their potential and determining the best use for them.


The Board discussed the plan to


target groups under 30 and over 55 as people who would live and work


the Courtyard by Marriott, where NCDC planned to have an information session about their new bonds, and roll out a Code Correction Program, a Lease Rebate Program, and a Revolving Loan Program - the three programs that make up the $3.38 million revitalization initiative. People interested in moving a business to Downtown Norwich could get a loan to help cover costs at a great rate. If they sign a five-year


lease with a property owner, NCDC can get help get them a rebate on the lease of up to five dollars per square foot. The NCDC will also help those who want to buy or own a property in the downtown area to correct codes on the upper floors so tenants could be placed there.


In addition to talking about the progress on the revitalization front, the NCDC Board discussed the success of the Wednesday Farmer’s Markets at Howard Brown Park, which have had an average of 500 people attending each week. They also discussed the upcoming Arts/Culture/Heritage Weekend on October 15 and 16, featuring Norwich’s first annual Pumpkin Carving and Decorating Competition with music, foot, and


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s autumn leaves turn red and gold, the Friends of Otis Library Book Sale Committee, chaired by Torrey Fenton and Amber Price, can be seen sorting and shelving many thousands of gently used books for their Free Admission semi-annual Book Sale Friday, October 14th, 10-4; Saturday Oct 15th, 10-4, and Sunday October 16th, Noon to 3:00 p.m. Brightly colored dashboard permits are available now at the Circulation Desk for parking beyond the posted limits in legal spaces on Friday, October 14th, when parking limits are in force. No permits are needed on Saturday or Sunday. For those who would like to start their browsing and buying before the Free Admission opening, there is an Early Bird Preview with a charge of $10.00 on Friday, October 14th from 9-10 a.m.


This much-anticipated Book Sale relies on enthusiastic helpers and the generosity of book contributors from the Norwich area, and draws crowds of book-lovers from southeastern CT and beyond, all eagerly awaiting the chance to choose books from among over 30 categories for all interests and ages, including art, biography, music, fiction, crafts, poetry, drama, health, history, how-to, sci-fi and fantasy, sports, religion, philosophy, gardening, and women’s issues, at very reasonable prices. This October’s Special Books section, with items individually priced, will feature signed first editions, as well as art books, sets of works by O. Henry and Sinclair Lewis, richly illustrated guides for collectors, volumes for history buffs, along with books published more than a century ago..


prizes at Howard Brown Park, as well as, Oktoberfest on that Saturday at Dodd Stadium.


The NCDC board members are Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom, City Manager Alan Bergren, Frank Blanchard, Mark Block, Thomas Collins, Stanley Israelite, Anthony Joyce, Kelly Lin, James Sullivan, Robert Tabor, and Charles Whitty. For more information on the NCDC and to keep up with all the great developments, go to their website, www.askncdc.com and “friend” their Norwich Downtown Revitalization page on Facebook. To post your comments, visit


www.theresident.com or follow us on Twitter @Resident_News


Friends of Otis Library Book Sale A


Otis Library, Norwich is offering an Early Bird Preview of the Book Sale for $10.00 on Friday October 14th.


The semi-annual Book Sales are the Friends’ largest events. In addition, funds are raised through the Annual Membership Appeal chaired by Jacquie Barbarossa, and in the past, by the sale of two editions of Cooking with Friends, book bags, note cards, and Norwich Christmas ornaments. The Friends brighten each January by hosting an American Girl Tea Party, organized by Lois Taylor and Martha Healy, for forty 6-11 year olds and their dolls. The Friends of Otis Library are accepting clean, gently used books, CD’s, and DVD’s two bags or boxes or bags at a time at the Circulation Desk at Otis Library, 261 Main Street, Norwich. For larger donations (no encyclopedias, magazines, or textbooks, please), call 860.886.8229, ext. 125. All proceeds benefit the Otis Library. The Friends of Otis Library are grateful for everyone’s generosity, participation, and support. To post your comments, visit www.theresident.com or follow us on Twitter @Resident_News


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