Letters
A ‘Beat Swords Into Ploughshares’ Moment
Published: Feb 23, 2023 4:00 pm
To the Editor:
EverWonder to move to NSSF building.
My initial reaction was OH, NO, not THAT building.
However, upon reflection I realized this was a “beat swords into ploughshares” moment. It is an example of how we can “devote resources to peaceful rather than warlike ends.”
That building was used to promote the propagation of weapons which have caused untold harm and sadness here in Newtown and communities around the nation. How fitting that it be repurposed as a place promoting learning and joy for children and families.
I hope they are able to tastefully note that transition in their new home.
Michael Stern, PhD
Newtown
Clearly they just strung the town along on Fairfield Hills hoping to get some free financial support.
I actually thought they had been trying very hard to get into Fairfield Hills for a long time, like years ago. A lot of commercial real estate available at good deals… Hard to pick an asbestos filled building unless the town is going to help with the cost to get the building habitable.
1st Financial Bank USA was going to purchase the building and renovate it for their business. EverWonder wanted to pay $1 per year rent and get additional property for outdoors activities.
I believe that is the same terms as NYA and Newsylum. And no business can operate in this area without parking.
I believe NYA pays $27500 per year and NewSylum pays $200 a month for first 5 years and then $500 month for next 5 years. Parent Connection pays $1 per year for 10 years and the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance pays $1 per year for 99 years.
Editor’s Note: It should also be pointed out that NYA (and NVAC) built their own building — which has a footprint larger than Newsylum, Parent Connection, and the Ambulance headquarters combined — that each of the latter organizations also contributed their own significant funds to their construction and improvement projects; and that Newsylum and the Parent Connection both improved existing abandoned buildings that may have otherwise continued to be unused and deteriorating.
qstorm: I don’t believe EverWonder was ever looking to get anything free from the town. They needed a larger space in a better location, and would have paid millions to remediate & renovate that building. Why would they also have to pay the town rent? And why wouldn’t they get the ground around the building? It’s a children’s museum for God’s sake! What do you have against bringing joy & educational play to our community?
I think this new building is the perfect opportunity for EverWonder to grow and thrive and look forward to seeing their success. Thankfully they found somewhere in Newtown that can accommodate their needs perfectly.
For years they did not provide any financials to support renovation and use of the building. If they had had the money or a valid financial plan they should have presented this to the town which was bending over backward to accomodate them. Am glad to see that someone thinks the former National Shooting Sports Foundation HQ building perfectly accomodates their needs.
I am glad someone will go into that building after the townspeople ran a trade association out of town.