Council approves transfer of 218–220 Monhagen Ave to housing authority to support 100-unit project
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Summary
The Middletown Common Council approved conveyance of 218–220 Monhagen Avenue to the Middletown Housing Authority. Mayor DeStefano said the $1 transfer would be included in a proposed public–private affordable-housing project that could add 100 units and renovate 199 existing units, tied to state funding and a regional developer.
The Middletown Common Council on a roll-call vote approved transferring city-owned property at 218–220 Monhagen Avenue to the Middletown Housing Authority as part of a plan to support an affordable-housing development.
Mayor DeStefano, responding to a request for an explanation from Alderman Witt, said the parcel would be injected into a proposed public–private partnership led by the housing authority and RUPCO. "Affordable housing is an important issue for the community," the mayor said, adding the plan could add 100 new units and renovate the authority’s existing 199 units as part of what he described in the meeting as "about a $150,000,000 public and private partnership utilizing state funds." He said the green space parcel would be preserved for open space or recreational use within the project.
Why it matters: The transfer represents a city-level land contribution intended to strengthen a funding application and help expand the local affordable-housing inventory. The mayor said the property had been used and maintained by the housing authority for years and that the token $1 transfer would facilitate their project submission to state funders.
What the council approved: The resolution, sponsored by Alderman Ray and seconded by Alderman Johnson, authorized the sale and drew questions from council members about scope and project partners. The mayor cited RUPCO as a regional affordable-housing organization participating in the effort.
Details and limits: The mayor framed the parcel conveyance as contingent on project planning and funding. He said whether the entire project is ultimately funded by state dollars remains to be determined; the transfer was described as a strategic contribution to the overall plan. The council vote carried; the resolution authorizes the transfer but does not itself appropriate the larger redevelopment funds.
Next steps: Mayor DeStefano said staff and partners are continuing project planning and that further briefings will follow at future meetings if and when state funding is secured. The council did not vote on construction approvals or a financing package at this meeting.
