Thomas Breen Photo
Samuel at a Dixwell neighborhood meeting.
The mayor has tapped New Haven native, local realtor, and veteran government staffer Arlevia Samuel to serve as the new acting director of the Livable City Initiative (LCI).
Mayor Justin Elicker made that announcement in a Wednesday midday email press release (which can be read in full below.)
Samuel will replace outgoing LCI Executive Director Serena Neal-Sanjurjo, who announced in late September that she will step down from her City Hall post and move over part time to the city’s quasi-public Economic Development Corporation. Neal-Sanjurjo’s last day on the job is Oct. 9.
Samuel currently serves as LCI’s manager of neighborhood and commercial development. She has a B.S. in criminal justice from the University of New Haven, an M.S. in urban studies from Southern Connecticut State University, and is a realtor with Coldwell Banker in addition to working for City Hall.
“Arlevia’s expertise in urban housing and development make her the perfect fit as the Acting-Director of LCI,” Elicker is quoted as saying in the press release.
The appointment represents a continuation of LCI leadership by professionals with deep experience in urban economic development. LCI as a department has two broad areas of purview: wealth creation through repurposing abandoned public spaces by adding community gardens, home additions, or new buildings; as well as housing code enforcement and responding to neighborhood nuisance complaints.
Samuel has been LCI’s lead on developing new “commercial corridor” zoning regulations designed to revitalize sections of Whalley Avenue, Dixwell Avenue, and Grand Avenue. She has also been a point person on building out business plans and potential partnerships for the former state social services building on Bassett Street, which the city hopes to build out as a worker-owned commercial laundry.
Read the full press release below.
City of New Haven Announces Acting Director of the Livable City Initiative
Contributed photo
Acting LCI chief Arlevia Samuel.
Today, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and Economic Development Administrator Michael Piscitelli announced the new Acting-Director of the City’s Livable City Initiative (LCI). Former Director, Serena Neal-Sanjurjo, announced in late September that she will be moving over to work at the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven. Director Neal-Sanjurjo’s last day will be October 9, 2020. Subsequently, the City has appointed longtime LCI employee Arlevia Samuel as the Acting-Director of LCI. Ms. Samuel’s most recent role at LCI was the Manager of Neighborhood and Commercial Development.
“Arlevia’s expertise in urban housing and development make her the perfect fit as the Acting-Director of LCI,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. “I appreciate her willingness to set up to the task and am looking forward to working with Arlevia and LCI to serve the residents of New Haven,” he concluded.
Arlevia T. Samuel is a Real Estate and Development Professional with over 20-years of experience across the housing industry. Arlevia currently works as Manager of the Neighborhood and Commercial Development with the City’s Livable City Initiative. Arlevia completed her M.S. in Urban Studies in Public Policy and Development from Southern Connecticut State University and B.S. in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement Administration from the University of New Haven, where she was also a standout member of the Women’s Basketball team. Arlevia also works as a Realtor with Coldwell Banker.
“I thank Mayor Elicker for entrusting me to lead the distinguished Livable City Initiative department,” said Ms. Samuel. “I look forward to continuing the work we have all started.”
A lifelong New Haven resident and avid community volunteer, Arlevia is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., as well as a member of the Junior League of Greater New Haven, the New Haven Rotary and United Way of Greater New Haven, Women United. Arlevia has served on the University of New Haven Alumni Board of Directors for six years, the Antillean Manor Board of Directors, and the American Cancer Society, New Haven Planning Committee. Previously, she served on the Board for Livable City Initiative and the Institute of Real Estate Management Executive Committee (Friends Committee chair). Arlevia is also a former Assistant Girls’ Basketball Coach with Hillhouse High School. During this time, the team won three consecutive State championships.
“Arlevia is a proven leader both in City Hall and in the community. She brings the passion and commitment to the wellbeing of our neighborhoods that is the hallmark of the Livable City Initiative,” said Michael Piscitelli, Economic Development Administrator.
About the Livable City Initiative: The Livable City Initiative’s mission is to develop and implement an innovative and balanced approach to promote, grow, and sustain our neighborhoods while creating a sense of community throughout the City of New Haven. LCI administers anti-blight, property maintenance, residential code inspection, housing, and community development programs in part with Community Development Block Grant funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. In the fiscal year 2020, LCI handled over 2,000 referrals on anti-blight issues and conducted over 6,600 residential inspections.
Congratulations to Ms Samuel and I hope her education, background and experience will provide her guidance in assisting smaller landlords who mean well and merely need resources, guidance and support for help in providing good living conditions for their tenants and strict oversight and punishment for negligent and uncaring corporate mega landlords and investors who mistreat their tenants and habitually neglect their properties.