Prospects of future work get mixed reviews

Mike Alberti Assistant Life Editor

Vassar’s plan to revitalize Raymond Avenue was met with mixed reception in the Poughkeepsie community last year. Many Poughkeepsie residents worried that the new roundabouts would slow traffic on the major road, and that their tax dollars were going to be spent on a project that would benefit the College alone, despite the College’s insistence that the construction is an attempt to help integrate the campus with the local community. Other residents saw the project as a much needed change. Vassar’s new plan to revitalize the Arlington Business District by adding another roundabout at the intersection of Raymond Avenue and Collegeview Avenue is causing a similar reaction among Poughkeepsie residents.

The Poughkeepsie Journal printed an article about the construction on March 7, and provided an open online forum for residents to post their opinions on the construction. More than 70 people responded, with remarks ranging from “Another circle at Collegeview would be a disaster” (deepblue) to “The intersection has been a problem for so many years. Hopefully, [the new traffic circle] will be built when the next phase of construction begins in the area” (pasnyder).

Associate Professor of Chemistry Marianne Begemann explained the community’s disapproval of the project as part of a large-scale “anti-Vassar sentiment.” “The feeling in Poughkeepsie is that Vassar has lots of money, never does anything for the community and wants this upgraded solely because it helps with admissions. The community views Vassar as this wealthy neighbor who never does anything for them.”

Thirteen-year Poughkeepsie resident Denise Bolds said, “People here are so resistant to change. The traffic circles are a win-win situation for everybody. They make the pedestrians feel more safe, so they go out and spend money at local businesses. I really don’t see what people are complaining about.”

Assistant Professor of English and Africana Studies Kiese Laymon said that the construction project is “a very complicated issue.”

“I am aware through my friends in Poughkeepsie that people are very upset about the roundabouts and think that its another sign that Vassar can do whatever they want whenever they want without any recourse,” said Laymon.

Matt Hackett ’07, the Vassar Student Association Town Students representative, believes that the roundabouts have the opposite effect. “I am definitely against it. I don’t think that students don’t go off-campus because they’re afraid to cross one road. [The construction] is actually widening the divide between Vassar and Poughkeepsie.”

One goal of the new roundabout on Collegeview is to increase patronage at businesses on this road. Ed Cooper, the manager of Potter Brother’s Ski and Patio at 19 Collegeview said that he thinks the new roundabout will actually hurt business. “It limits the number of cars that will be coming by,” said Cooper. “People will now think twice before they come down here because of the circle.”

Dan Kelley, owner of Arlington Station Pizza and Deli said that he likes the look of the roundabouts on Raymond Avenue, but is worried that building another one at the intersection will cause congestion.

Rhianna Mirabella, owner of the Dreaming Goddess on Collegeview, agreed. “I really like the two roundabouts that already exist. The traffic seems to flow nicely because there’s only one turn off, but I can’t envision it working for a four-way intersection. It would definitely reduce traffic, which isn’t good for business.”

Begemann said that the third roundabout is essential. “I think it will help with the look of the area and also make the street safer. It’s bound to help the business district and it definitely helps the residents.”

Walter Effron, owner of The Three Arts Bookstore on Collegeview, echoed Begemann, saying that the new roundabout will “definitely improve this street.”

“Even though it would be inconvenient during the construction, in the long run I think it would improve business,” he said.