by Myra Oney
In 1948 James Britchey opened the Starlight Drive-In movie theater in a field where barns once stood, adjacent to Van Cortlandt Manor. It was immensely successful, noted for being cheap, “come as you are and bring the kids and the dog” entertainment.
Britchey added a driving range on the north end of the property, replacing it in 1959 with the Starlight Bowling Alley. The complex bustled with kids parties, fund raisers, and the Lions Club Christmas Tree Sale. The drive-in closed in 1973, the bowling alley in 1984. Shoprite purchased the former movie theater and opened the grocery store in 1978. After the bowling alley closed, the location was purchased by a separate entity and developed into a shopping center that today contains several small businesses.
Access to the movie theater appears, from an old photo, to have been where the south entrance to ShopRite is today. The north driveway was most likely built for the bowling alley. Today this narrow approach serves as the most direct way to reach both ShopRite and the smaller business complex. The entrance was built for cars, since it was assumed in the 1960’s that people would drive. It was never meant to be used by pedestrians.
In the last couple of years I have observed an increase in the number of people walking down the north driveway. A young woman balancing a full bag of laundry. Groups strolling down the middle blocking traffic. People pushing strollers. Folks jumping over the guard rail leading to the grassy slope that abuts the smaller parking lot. My hairdresser, who has a direct view onto the driveway, tells me that she has seen a noticeable increase in foot traffic.
Despite the many changes to Harmon over the years, this heavily used thoroughfare has never itself been re-configured. The shopping centers were key to the creation of the Transit Oriented Development district. They were touted as being easily walkable from hoped-for high density development. Stoplights were installed and cross walks marked, in order to create a safe pedestrian walkway. I wonder if any members of the Village government have ever tried to navigate it.
The official pedestrian access to the complex requires one to hike from the corner of South Riverside and Croton Point Avenue, across the entire length of both shopping centers to the south ShopRite entrance. Once there, if you are going to one of the small businesses, you double back across ShopRite and across the north driveway to arrive at your destination. If you happen to be going to ShopRite, you get to carry your groceries back along the same route.
If you are jaywalking and using the north driveway, there is a fairly serious incline to be negotiated as you are dodging cars, carrying groceries or pushing a stroller. No crosswalks, sidewalks, traffic lights and “No Pedestrian” signs will keep people from risking this shorter route, despite the hazards. The larger the population in the TOD becomes, the worse this problem will be. People who can drive will do so, increasing traffic and the possibility of pedestrian injury.
There are likely numerous difficulties involved with compelling private developers and owners to address this situation. Regardless of whether the 425 complex is built, the problem already exists. It will only become worse when the inevitable Lot A building is complete. The Village tried a work around that is inadequate, even though it likely covers their liability.
People may say that it is a matter of personal choice. A safe if inconvenient solution has been presented by the village. If one makes the decision to ignore it at personal risk, that’s their problem. Human nature, however, is what it is. Shorter and faster will beat out slow and safe most times. Successful urban planning takes that into account. I fear that it will take a tragedy before real solutions are considered.
Editor’s Note: The Chronicle recently talked to Village Manager Bryan Healy about the problems the author discusses above. He told us that while the owner of the complex has a maintenance agreement with the village that requires a certain amount of upkeep, “The shopping center has an approved site plan and we are not in a position to require them to make wholesale changes (such as reconfiguring an entrance.)”
Myra Oney has has lived with her husband and son in one of Croton’s historic houses for 34 years. In her retirement she enjoys writing, gardening, and advocating for various issues. This is her first piece for the Chronicle.
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Love this story including seeing pictures from the past! I agree 100% I would love to elevate this critical gateway by improving both accessibility and walk-ability directly to/from the shopping center doors, while adding beautiful landscaping and ensuring proper lighting; I will speak to Manager Healy to see if our upcoming NY Forward Grant submission addresses these village needs.
Another excellent guest article that truly targets a concern that will only grow, as the author noted, if the projected housing project directly across the street comes to fruition.
PS….I remember playing mini golf down there as well as Dad hiding us under blankets in the old Rambler station wagon to keep costs down at the drive-in. Love those pictures.