You Said It, Ledyard: Kartway

There was certainly no shortage of opinions when we asked on Patch and on Facebook what folks would like to see at the corner of Route 12 and Christy Hill Road in Gales Ferry, where Kartway now stands.

(Two notes: The original article stated that the business was completely closed. This is incorrect. The go-karts still run in the later afternoon and early evening. Also, there were some comments made that the property is privately owned — and is always up to date on its taxes — and therefore it was not anyone's business what is done with the property. I would disagree with that. Public discourse about a property that is admittedly really tired looking these days and is definitely located at a gateway to an area where the town has invested a lot of time, energy and money into improving, is always a good thing.)

Here is a round-up of some of the comments that were posted on the Ledyard Patch Facebook page and on the article itself. What are your thoughts if you have not weighed on already? What would you like to see in Gales Ferry?

From Facebook:

Steve Holyfield Some sort of revitalization would be nice.... perhaps the owner can find an investor to help overhaul the property? Replacement of the cages and building would be a good start...or maybe a nice mini-golf course? 

Kathleen Nestor Owens Kartway is a landmark! I'd like to see it purchased by someone to revitalize it the way we remember it from the 70's. It was a hub for everyone to meet, play and hang out. It was clean fun and was never known as a 'bad' place. I'd love to buy it if I won the lottery!

Michelle Lenz Dairy Queen but new batting cages and racetrack!!! Or something like Hanks in Plainfield with picnic tables music etc... Great family place

Tracy Dan Daberkoe It either needs to be refurbished and well maintained or leveled...it's such an eyesore and embarrassment to the town!

Ryan Graham The whole west side of town is an eye sore. Every property could use some overhauling. Especially Kartway, the job lot plaza, the empty gas station at 12&Long Cove. Get some tax revenue in here that will pull in consumers. Sonic at Kartway, Whole Foods and Chipotle on Job Lot. Sheetz or Wawa at 12&Long Cove. Something we don't have around here.

Donna Kenyon I love the Dairy Queen idea and refurbishing the rest but I would really love to see a reasonably priced grocery store or a Trader Joes/Whole foods. That would be awesome. I still think we need to bulldoze the old Vality building (yes, I loved it too but it's GONE) and then drive the bull dozer to Kartway. Nostalgic yes, but come on..it's time for Gales Ferry to move on!!

Brenda Kupka Curry Mak a new and bigger go kart track. I loved going there. At least it would be something fun for the locals to do. DO NOT build any homes on it!

William Kenyon Take a picture, frame it, put it in the Gales Ferry Museum (build one) and then tear it all down. The town REALLY needs a plan, zoning that has a theme that ALL buildings would need to adhere to....colonial, maritime...something so that the town can get back on the map....Gales Ferry USED to be a vacation destination back in the day.

Richard A. Mancini Unfortunately, the property, although in disrepair and an eyesore, is privately owned and unless Mr. Majalian is in violation of town building and/or zoning regulations, nothing can be done.

B-Mom The town worked with Ocean State Job Lot owners - why not Mr. Majalian? he is there every day and the carts are still running. How about some volunteers to help spruce the place up? I recall a big town effort to help Alice Acres. And I agree with Tom - if he sold it there would be so many hoops to jump through it wouldn't be worth it.

Andrea Buka I always thought it would be a great place to run a small "food truck" type business out of, maybe Kelly's BBQ? And spiff up the batting cages/go cart track, you have a great destination for Southeastern CT!

Sue A return to its former glory would be fantastic. It always had lines of people waiting for food and fun. Too bad the Majalians couldn't find a buyer, if they wanted to sell, who wanted a return to that type of nostalgic business. When was the last time you saw a sign like that......picture it renewed. Kartway was the Sea Swirl of Gales Ferry and then some. I would hate to see yet another office building that winds up empty in a few years. Cut the Majalians some slack......they are always there to support youth programs such as car washes, tag sales etc and they also donate to local charity. They are just semi retired and own the property and are not ready to let go......the time will come.

Pam Ensley If someone buys it in the future, it would be nice to have someplace like the SeaSwirl in Mystic and get rid of the dangerous gokarts and Put in maybe mini golf, new batting cages, something like that

Nora With all due respect, I have to ask myself: If I owned Kartway and if I cared about my community understanding what a strong staple KartWay had been for so many years; if I cared about the quality of life in my town - the families, the landscape and realized all the good it added to the community, would I let my business go downhill and get in such disrepair that it would be an eyesore for SO many years now? The question the author of this article is asking is, what can/should be done...the only way that piece of property will ever improve is if the owners decide they A) want to sell to someone who will care for it again or B) invest money in to it to build it back up again. It is sad (not judging, just being truthful) that it has looked so bad for so long...it's the first business passers by get a look at as the come down the hill to the village area :(. Mini Golf, Batting cages and ice cream/Dairy Queen type business would be ideal, my opinion, but the entire place needs to be razed and born anew again...its time (past time)