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Council backs $8 million Community Investment Fund application for Lower Broadway revitalization
Summary
The council unanimously voted to support a CIF grant application for a multi-part Lower Broadway revitalization that includes Jubilee Park, 21 affordable housing units, and building rehabilitation; city development officials and a community development representative described private investment and construction-document milestones.
Norwich City Council on June 2 voted 7-0 to support a Community Investment Fund (CIF) grant application for a historic Lower Broadway revitalization project that would combine public open space, housing and building rehabilitation into a single application.
Kevin Brown of the Norwich Community Development Corporation described the application narrative to the council during citizen comment and later at the council floor. The proposed package includes construction of Jubilee Park, redevelopment of the Fairhaven building into 21 affordable housing units, facade and mechanical improvements to the Norwich Arts Center, and creation of accessible commercial space along Lower Broadway. Brown said the city is seeking $8,000,000 from the CIF program and that private owners have committed roughly $3,000,000 in investment alongside the request.
Brown told the council the project had been submitted in an earlier CIF round but that reviewers asked the city to return with 30% construction documents and private investment. “Here we are three years later,” Brown said, and the application now includes private investment and 30% construction documents for the park and for the Fairhaven reconstruction.
Alderman Singh praised the package for improving accessibility, adding an elevator and a pocket park to support transit-oriented housing, and said the mix of housing and open space would help attract businesses to downtown. City staff clarified that the elevator component is intended to restore access between floors in a former bank building, enable public access through to Church Street and allow the parcel that will hold the park to become city property — a step staff said is required for eligibility for the state grant because private owners cannot directly apply for CIF funds.
The council adopted the resolution supporting the application by roll call vote, 7-0.
Clarifying details from the meeting: the city seeks $8,000,000 from CIF for the Lower Broadway package; private investment committed for the project was described as $3,000,000; DECD reviewers previously asked for 30% construction documents and private investment before awarding funds; the project components cited are Jubilee Park, 21 affordable units in the Fairhaven building, Norwich Arts Center facade/HVAC/elevator improvements, and accessible commercial space at 4 Bridal/Lower Broadway.
Council members and a developer representative said the application would be resubmitted this round with the required documents and investment in place.
