2011

Posted by Bob on April 29, 2011 under Daily Blogs | Be the First to Comment

Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced today (4/29/2011) that the State Bond Commission approved FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND and 00/100THS ($500,000.00) DOLLARS for engineering and design of a parking structure to support the Naugatuck Renaissance Place Project. This appropriation is the most significant step for Renaissance since approval of the development agreement by referendum in 2007, and sends a strong signal of tangible support for the project by the State of Connecticut.

The funding will allow the Borough and the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation (“NEDC”) to proceed with the planning, design and engineering of an approximate five hundred (500) space parking structure to support the medical office building and related development proposed for Parcel C and increased ridership anticipated at the Naugatuck train station. In accordance with the development agreement, the Borough and NEDC are responsible to provide the necessary infrastructure to support the job creating and tax generating investments to be made by the Conroy Development Company. Both the public and private portions of the project must proceed simultaneously, one not occurring without the other. Preliminary design of the medical complex is already underway.

The commitment of the Malloy Administration and the State of Connecticut to Renaissance Place sends a strong message to a very cautious investment community that the public sector supports this partnership to redevelop Downtown Naugatuck for years to come. While the “Great Recession” has changed the world in which Renaissance was originally conceived, the sustained belief in a transit-oriented, smart growth revitalization of Naugatuck’s urban core has persevered.

Many fantastic individuals deserve thanks for this achievement, but leadership starts at the top. Naugatuck is fortunate to have a Governor in Dannel P. Malloy who understands the importance of intelligent and planned redevelopment of Connecticut’s urban and former industrial communities. As its mayor, Governor Malloy transformed the City of Stamford from a quiet coastal town into one of New England’s most successful cities. The Governor has stated that state bond dollars will only be allocated for projects that create jobs and expand tax revenue, and his support for Renaissance Place represents a commitment to that principle. We thank the members of the Bond Commission for their support in approving the funding at today’s (4/29/2011) meeting. We are also grateful to Governor Malloy’s staff members, particularly Attorney Michael Christ and Elizabeth Donohue, who worked with local officials to ensure the Renaissance Place funding proposal was included on the April Bond Commission agenda.

Naugatuck’s legislative delegation; State Senator Joseph Crisco, Jr., State Senator Joan Hartley, State Representative David Labriola and State Representative Rosa Rebimbas; have worked tremendously hard over many years to secure bond commission approval for this first (1st) funding allocation. Their collective efforts are a credit to each legislator’s respective dedication to the Borough of Naugatuck and the constituents who they serve. I can not say enough about how hard both senators and both representatives have worked, regardless of political party, to advance Renaissance Place. It is a true pleasure working with each of them and their staff.

Members of the Board of Mayor and Burgesses, both past and present, have also worked in a bi-partisan manner to advance Renaissance Place from initial concept to its current status. The NEDC, led by Chair Jay Carlson and President Dave Prendergast, has been instrumental in creating a non-partisan public private partnership which provides Naugatuck the capacity to pursue economic development endeavors in an professional manner. The collaboration between the Borough, the NEDC and developer Alexius Conroy has remained together through difficult economic times.

We also would like to thank our partners at the Department of Economic and Community Development (“DECD”), led by Director of Responsible Development Peter Simmons. Many DECD staff members have devoted countless hours to numerous meetings over many months to advance Renaissance Place. We look forward to continuing this process moving forward.

While there are still many steps remaining in this long term commitment to bring responsible growth to Naugatuck, today’s (4/29/2011) approval of bond commission funding is a critical step in this process. We congratulate all stakeholders involved and look forward to continuing our partnership to remake the Borough’s Downtown.