Dixwell Plaza's planned new ConnCAT Place redevelopment.
Dixwell Plaza’s mixed-use redevelopment, a new health center on Grand Avenue, and new affordable apartments on Shelton Avenue were some of the dozen New Haven projects to receive over $21 million in support from Hartford in an end-of-year windfall of state aid.
That infusion of state cash for New Haven-based projects came Thursday from the State Bond Commission.
The commission signed off on over $500 million in state aid for projects across the state, including more than $21 million heading to the Elm City.
“These projects that are receiving funding in New Haven are each built around the shared goal of supporting the people who live in the city and making it an even better place to live and work,” Gov. Ned Lamont is quoted as saying in a Thursday afternoon email press release sent out by Connecticut House Democrats. “I am glad we could get this funding approved today.”
New Haven State Reps. Al Paolillo Jr. and Juan Candelaria are also quoted in that press release as celebrating this rush of state aid.
“I am confident that these projects will have a positive and significant impact on New Haven, and I appreciate that Community Investment Fund and Governor Lamont and State Bond Commission recognize this as well,” Paolillo is quoted as saying. “I am happy to see New Haven with an opportunity to create greater health care access, leverage food entrepreneurship, respond and improve critical infrastructure that supports local economic development.”
“The Fair Haven Community Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center that has been around for decades providing much-needed primary, behavioral health, and dental care to the residents of New Haven, primarily to those that reside in the Fair Haven area,” Candelaria is quoted as saying. “The health center provides indispensable services to a large number of Hispanics in New Haven and this funding will assist with the construction of their new facility that will further enhance the delivery of services. I thank Governor Lamont for prioritizing this item on today’s agenda.”
The state grants for New Haven projects included in Thursday’s bond commission vote include:
• $10 million for ConnCORP’s planned redevelopment of Dixwell Plaza into a new mixed-use development with 150 new housing units, 20 percent of which will be reserved at below-market rents.
• $3 million for Fair Haven Community Health Care to help fund the health center’s planned new construction of an expanded facility at 382 – 394 Grand Ave.
• $2,132,250 for the Believe In Me Empowerment Corporation’s (BIMEC) planned new construction of 18 affordable single-room apartments at 53 Shelton Ave.
• $1.5 million for the City of New Haven’s long-in-the-works planned rehab of 596 – 598 George St. into two owner-occupied, three-family residences.
• $1,092,500 for the local farmers market nonprofit CitySeed for the creation of a 10,000 square-foot facility with a new commercial kitchen and food business incubator.
• $1 million to help cover the costs of the design of the New Haven Harbor Improvement Federal Navigation Project. The Bond Commission agenda describes this project as: “Major design components include analysis of rock to be removed at the entrance channel to the harbor, ship simulation refinement based on specific vessel analysis with CT Pilots participation, tidal marsh beneficial use placement at Sandy spit; & plans and specifications for dredging and marsh placement, hydrographic survey, cultural resources investigation, value engineering, and contract documents for solicitation.”
• $780,000 to the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven to help outfit a “manufacturing training facility with specialized manufacturing equipment.”
• $594,938 for various improvements to Hillhouse and Wexler Grant schools. “Projects will include alterations, repairs, improvements, technology and equipment to help address building and site deficiencies, and to promote the health, safety, and learning of the students.”
• $500,000 for the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen for renovations to 266 State St. to create a “one-stop social services hub for people experiencing homelessness.”
• $401,810 to reimburse the New Haven Police Department for the costs of purchasing body cameras, dash cameras, and video storage devices.
• $312,619 for the local homelessness services nonprofit New Reach to “renovate facilities for greater safety and energy efficiency.”
• $155,000 for the New Haven Jewish Community Council Housing Corporation to help them “explore expanding services.”
Good to see some of these projects moving forward at last.
Regarding the image - it's just a rendering, not an actual picture of what the area will eventually look like, but it's striking that the photo shows about 100 bicycles, yet shows no safe bike lane on Dixwell.