NAUGATUCK — The borough is making progress in its efforts to redevelop downtown and create jobs in the community.
That’s according to Ron Pugliese, who recently provided the Naugatuck Exchange Club with a progress report of his first year as head of the quasi-public Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation.
“Today, we are actively pursuing development offers for all three land parcels (downtown), which, I might add, have had starts and stops,” he said. “But as I stand before you today, I can assure you we are making progress … I sincerely hope to have some good news for all of you soon.”
Pugliese would not give details about that good news, which residents have been awaiting for several years. Pugliese said that turning around a former booming industrial community has proved to be difficult, but that it’s not for a lack of effort on the borough’s part. Those efforts continue and small strides are being made, he said.
One of those is that the owner of the former Risdon Manufacturing site has paid off $300,000 in back taxes through a deal with the borough, which includes a commitment to develop on the site. Naugatuck plans to move the Recycling Center off Rubber Avenue to provide better access to that site, which has long been eyed as a possible commercial center. Pugliese said the deal also promises there will be no low-income housing on the land.
He noted that Building 25 will be torn down next month, as will the former restaurant on the corner of Maple Street and South Main Street. Taking those down will improve the downtown landscape, he said.
Pugliese noted that H.J. Bushka Lumber had just held a grand opening of its new facility in the industrial park.
On a negative note, he said that Coca-Cola’s decision to leave is disappointing. He added that it has nothing to do with the company’s dissatisfaction with Naugatuck, but rather a change in company distribution processes, which Coca-Cola has confirmed. Pugliese said another company is prepared to move into that building, but would not identify the company as negotiations are ongoing.
Celebrating small victories is relatively new to Naugatuck, whose downtown, Pugliese noted, was once dominated by U.S. Rubber and other factories.
“The merchants enjoyed great success, especially at shift changes when thousands of workers were going in and out of the plant and shopping at downtown stores,” he said.
While the borough may never see that kind of economy again, Pugliese believes the future is bright for Naugatuck.
“I would suggest that we do not give up hope or get discouraged,” he said. “And that we all continue to strive for a better future. I believe it’s in our grasp.”
