Norwich votes to join Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority; city reports $4.9 million grant for Fontaine Field

The Norwich City Council voted 5-0 on March 17 to join the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority, a state program intended to help municipalities coordinate redevelopment projects and qualify for certain state grants. The council also heard its City Manager report that the State Community Investment Fund recommended $4,900,000 for upgrades to Fontaine Field and $250,000 for planning work on the Norwich State Hospital, with both awards requiring final approval from Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission within the next 60 days.

The vote came after a public hearing and staff presentations describing downtown sites that city leaders have discussed as potential redevelopment priorities. A staff member highlighted several properties within a roughly half-mile radius of the intermodal transportation center, including the Hopkins Arms Mill — described in the meeting as a roughly 208,000-square-foot building that “could become a hundred units” — and other parcels near the YMCA, Courthouse Square and Summit Street. The staff member said joining the authority could expand the city’s ability to incentivize redevelopment in those areas.

Deanna Rhodes, director of planning and development, told the council she supports joining the authority and that the city is already rewriting zoning regulations. “Part of this program requires new zoning regulations. As the council is aware, we’re in the midst of writing them right now. So we’re hoping that we’ll get some assistance from the [program] on what that specific language should be,” Rhodes said.

City Manager John presented the regular manager’s report and described the Community Investment Fund recommendations. “The state community investment fund has approved 2 significant grants: dollars 4,900,000 to upgrade Fontaine Field, including a promenade connection to the Senior Center, and dollars 250,000 for a planning grant to develop the city’s portion of the Norwich State Hospital,” City Manager John said. He cautioned that both recommendations need final sign-off from Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission within 60 days.

Council members discussed the items briefly and unanimously approved the resolution to opt into the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority. Alderman Singh said the council should support any available state dollars for mixed-use development; the motion to bring the resolution to the floor was moved by Alderman Hayes and seconded by Alderman Singh. The roll call recorded Alderman Hayes, Alderman Betancourt, Alderman Singh, President Pro Tem Joe DeLucia and Mayor Nystrom voting yes.

The City Manager’s report also noted other routine and programmatic items: spring brush pickup begins March 31 with schedules posted on the Public Works page; a substance-use prevention coordinator has provided programs to more than 600 Norwich public school students and will expand into additional local schools and youth programs; the Adult and Family Services office will administer additional United Way funds to help people experiencing homelessness; and the city is accepting applications for the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act tax credit program through June 2, 2025.

The council conducted a series of largely uncontested votes on appointments, reappointments and administrative items (listed below). It also moved two ordinances to a second reading and public hearing set for April 7: a modified depreciation schedule for motor-vehicle assessments and an abatement ordinance for the historic redevelopment and reuse of a property (details to be considered at the April hearing).

Votes at a glance (selected items from the March 17 meeting): - Resolution to join the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority — moved Alderman Hayes, second Alderman Singh; vote 5-0, adopted. Key points: staff identified potential downtown project sites including Hopkins Arms Mill (≈208,000 sq ft, cited as potentially 100 housing units); Deanna Rhodes said the city is rewriting zoning and seeks alignment with program requirements. - City Manager’s report items — informational; City Manager John announced CIF recommendations of $4,900,000 (Fontaine Field upgrades, including a promenade connection to the Senior Center) and $250,000 (planning for Norwich State Hospital); both recommendations pending Governor and State Bond Commission approval within 60 days. - Ten consent resolutions (appointments, reappointments, tax suspense account transfers, scheduling public hearings, lease renewal): each adopted 5-0. Appointments included reappointments and new members to the Harbor Management Commission, Board of Assessment Appeals (Edward David Thomas), Senior Affairs Commission alternate (Kimmy Potota), Recreation Advisory Board, Historic District Commission (regular member Ed Aberbach; alternates Megan Campbell and Tyler Booth), and Greenville NRZ (Jessica Mullen). The city also authorized a five-year lease renewal for land off Wall Weekes Street. - Ordinances moved to second reading and public hearing April 7: (1) modified depreciation schedule for motor vehicles for assessment years commencing 10/01/2024; (2) ordinance providing for abatement of real estate taxes for historic redevelopment and reuse of a property. Both motions to raise for public hearing passed 5-0.

What’s next: joining the redevelopment authority is an opt-in step; council action establishes the city’s interest in participating and does not itself commit the city to specific projects or long-term funding. The CIF award recommendations must still receive final approvals from the governor and the State Bond Commission; if approved, staff and council will return with implementation details and any required local actions.

Acknowledgment: Public comment on other items included a resident, Glenn Carberry, offering promotional material about Norwich from his travel website. No votes or formal commitments arose from that comment.