To the Editor:

A front-page article on the Audubon arts district retail area (“In arts district, mixed fortunes,” 10/4) stated, “The cluster of retail stores and restaurants making up New Haven’s art district has seen dramatic changes in the past year with the arrival of several new businesses. Most of the businesses were hand-picked by Yale’s Office of New Haven and State Affairs in its efforts to revive the area. Some long time business owners — are resisting the changes.”

The facts are quite different. Most of the businesses were not hand-picked by Yale’s Office of New Haven and State Affairs. Specifically, other than Sandra’s, a locally owned and operated Southern-style restaurant, the University has not leased space to a new currently-opened tenant in 19 years!

I should also add that it is University Properties, not the Office of New Haven and State Affairs, that leases and manages the University’s nonacademic properties, making Yale University the largest real estate taxpayer in the city of New Haven.

David I. Newton

October 7, 2002

The writer is the director of University Properties.