Markeshia Ricks Photo
A groundbreaking in East Rock’s Goatville section Tuesday was a celebration of not just new lofts, but of what can happen when a community and a developer actually agree on a project.
Beinfield Architecture PC
Rendering of hte project.
City officials and developers tossed a little dirt from a makeshift pile just across the street from what will eventually become the “State Street Lofts” — 4,000 square feet of ground floor retail space with three residential units on the second floor. Just behind that will be another 232 market-rate apartments. The development is expected to have 273 parking spots — more than zoning requires — and 235 bike-parking spots.
For more than five years, plans for the abandoned for Star Supply Property, a complex of five brick structures at the corner of State, Lawrence and Mechanic streets, had come and gone. Neighbors and developers were at odds.
But almost a year ago, after meetings with community members, developers were able to come up with a plan that satisfied most of neighbors’ concerns about parking and gentrification.
Tuesday’s was the latest in a string of groundbreakings and approvals for new developments in town, with three major residential projects in the works for Wooster Square and the former Coliseum site.
Developer Andrew Montelli (pictured) of Post Road Residential Inc. said he has done a lot of developing in cities like Boston, Chicago and Washington D.C.. None, he said, have had as much community participation as the New Haven project. Developers worked with East Rock Alder Jessica Holmes to meet with the community seven or eight times to make sure that people had input.
“This is going to be a very special project,” Montelli said. “Something that will be a real treasure for the city, I hope.”
Holmes said developers listened to residents who wanted to preserve the historic charm of the Star Supply Property, while respecting the need for a project that interacted well with the homes on Mechanic Street, and made it accessible for people to walk.
“We will have a site that actually really adds to this part of the community rather than take away,” she said. “It might not be perfect for everyone, but the net, I think, will be so positive.”
City Economic Development Administrator Matthew Nemerson said often he and Mayor Toni Harp take the lead to put development projects together and get them started. He called this project different: “The neighborhood wanted it and the market wanted it.”
Mayor Harp called the project a model for other developers in New Haven: “We are moving New Haven forward, and we are urging others to follow.”
Montelli said the architectural features of the building at State and Lawrence street will be preserved. Residential units facing Mechanic Street will be about three stories, which matches the homes that already exist in that area. As the development moves closer to Interstate 91 they will get taller, about four stories. Work has already begun to remove tanks and asbestos. Montelli said once that is complete construction will begin.