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New Haven committee advances Towers' request to release century-old easements to enable Tower 3
Summary
A City Services & Environmental Policy Committee advanced a proposal from The Towers to release three decades-old city easements so the nonprofit can re-parcel land and pursue financing to build a third senior housing tower with supportive services. Committee members asked Corporation Counsel for final sign-off before a full board vote.
The City Services and Environmental Policy Committee voted to move forward a request from The Towers to release three city-held easements that proponents say are obsolete and block construction of a third residential tower combining affordable housing and long‑term care services.
Attorney Carolyn Con told the committee the deeds date to 1969 and 1972 and that a title company advised the owners the prior quitclaim transfers were not comprehensive. "Our title company tells us that's no good because really we need to pre‑transfer that whole green area," Con said during the presentation, describing the legal housekeeping the team says is necessary before obtaining construction financing.
The Towers' president, Gus (identified in the record as the organization's president/CEO), described the campus and the program the proposed Tower 3 would expand. He said the campus now has 328 units, many residents have significant care needs, and there is a long waiting list. "We believe strongly in the concept of aging in place," he said, summarizing the project's operating model and why a new building would expand capacity and services.
Architects presented an early concept that would re‑parcel two existing lots, place a two‑story podium of services (day care, small market, therapy/social services) beneath an affordable housing tower, and create green space connecting Tower Lane and South Orange Street. The project team said the new building would be largely affordable and include subsidized and a small number of market‑rate units.
Committee members asked about coordination with a nearby rezoning application and whether Corporation Counsel had reviewed title and deed language. Proponents said the mayor had provided a letter of support for grant and zoning applications and that they had met with state agencies supporting the Towers' care model; they asked the committee to advance the item out of committee while final legal review and zoning steps proceed. Chair Pastiff said the item would be advanced out of committee but that she expected Corporation Counsel sign‑off before the second reading.
The committee heard resident testimony in support of the Towers. The item was moved and seconded in committee and advanced for further legislative consideration; the committee recorded no formal roll‑call tally in the transcript.
