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Danbury approves membership in Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority to pursue downtown infrastructure funding
Summary
The Danbury City Council unanimously approved joining the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority to access state redevelopment funds (initial allocations cited) and authorized the mayor to negotiate necessary memoranda and agreements.
The Danbury City Council unanimously voted on May 6 to join the Connecticut Municipal Redevelopment Authority and authorized the mayor to negotiate and sign any memorandum of agreement or related documents needed to implement the city's membership.
Why it matters: Council members and city staff said membership will allow Danbury to compete for predevelopment and infrastructure dollars earmarked for downtown and other targeted redevelopment, with officials emphasizing that the funds can be applied broadly for residential, commercial and infrastructure improvements, including water and sewer predevelopment work.
Council discussion: Councilman Paul Rotello and other members asked whether joining would restrict the city's procurement or development authority; legal and economic-development representatives said the membership is flexible and does not alter the city's bidding or procurement rules. City representatives said an initial pool of state funds (noted at the meeting as $60 million set aside, with an additional $30 million to follow) would be available for projects in member municipalities.
Next steps: The mayor and economic-development staff will pursue meetings with the authority and may return to council with specific project proposals and any required MOAs.
Provenance: Discussion and vote recorded in council transcript (item proposed SEG 4310; membership motion and vote SEG 4341'2451).
