Renaissance Update – 7/31/2010

Posted by Bob on July 30, 2010 under Daily Blogs | Be the First to Comment

Two (2) important developments have occurred recently regarding the Renaissance Place downtown revitalization project.  While we realize that most Naugatuck residents would prefer to see shovels in the ground and cranes in the air, there are important tasks that need to be accomplished to effectuate the start of construction.

Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-186 et seq., requires municipalities to develop a municipal development plan (“MDP”) in conjunction with redevelopment projects such as Renaissance Place.  The creation of the MDP for Renaissance Place has been in progress for many months.  It has required much planning and legal research.  The document may be viewed here. Approximately one (1) month ago, the Renaissance Place MDP was submitted by the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation (“NEDC”) to the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (“DECD”).

After the initial review by DECD, there are several steps that will occur over the next few months.  The MDP will be submitted to all the state agencies having any connection to the Project to obtain comments.  In addition, the MDP will be posted on the NEDC website, and submitted to the Central Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (“COGCNV”).  After comments from state agencies are submitted, DECD will provide written comments to the NECD.  A public hearing will then be held to obtain input from citizens.  The final version of the MDP will require approval by the NEDC board of directors, the Naugatuck Planning Commission and the Board of Mayor and Burgesses.

Last week, the United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee approved federal funding in the amount of FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND and 00/100THS ($500,000.00) DOLLARS for the Naugatuck Renaissance transportation facility.  This announcement was made after several months worth of work drafting and monitoring the appropriations process, which began in February, 2010.  We would like to thank the members of Naugatuck’s federal legislative delegation, Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman and Representative Rosa L. DeLauro for all their time, support and advocacy on behalf of Renaissance Place and the Borough.

While additional steps in the legislative process remain, this in important first (1st) step toward obtaining federal funding for what is a smart-growth, transit oriented development which aims to revitalize the urban core of the Borough of Naugatuck.  The appropriations bill will now go to conference committee, and hopefully to both chambers of Congress and the President for approval.

Public investment is required for Naugatuck’s portion of the Renaissance Place Project to fund the necessary infrastructure improvements which will support the private investment by Conroy Development Company.  Obtaining a public commitment from the federal government provides significance leverage necessary for the developer to secure investment in a very difficult economic climate.  We look forward to additional good news in the coming months.

While all of us are frustrated at the pace of development, much of the delay is due to the amount of work required prior to groundbreaking and the time it is taking our national economy to recover from a historic recession.  All the Renaissance Place partners – the Borough of Naugatuck, the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation and Conroy Development Company – continue to complete the necessary planning to make the project a reality as the economy rebounds.