New Haven Receives $21.5M to Redevelop Old Coliseum Site

More than seven years after the New Haven Coliseum came crashing down, the city received a $21.5 million financial boost to redevelop the site.

Transforming the old Coliseum site is the second phase of New Haven's Downtown Crossing project, which has been in the works for the past few years and aims to bridge two parts of the city that are now separated by Route 34.

The state announced on Thursday that it will contribute $21.5 million to the redevelopment of the former Coliseum site on Orange Street.

"It will allow us to really develop a vibrant and thriving urban neighborhood for New Haven and the state of Connecticut," said Max Rein, co-managing partner of site developer Live Work Learn Play.

What’s now an empty parking lot will eventually transform into a space containing a four-star hotel, restaurants, shops and residences.

The redevelopment project will also bring about a major change to the Route 34 corridor, knocking out the highway to create a more walkable, connected space that bridges the Hill neighborhood with Ninth Square.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Robert Greenberg, of ACME Furniture in the Ninth Square. “The whole Ninth Square area is really excited for it, and I think it’s going to change the whole dynamic of downtown New Haven and the way that people enter our city.”

Greenberg said he’s hopeful the project will get up and running soon. The developer anticipates shovels in the ground next summer, and with those shovels, about 4,700 construction jobs.

The completed project retain 2,800 permanent jobs, which translates into more customers for downtown businesses.

“It’s going to bring a lot of jobs,” explained Neville Wisdom, owner of Neville Wisdom Designs. “It’s going to bring housing for a lot of people who will live here, who needed dresses and garments that we design for our business. So it’s a win-win situation.”

The total bill for the development will reach about $395 million, with not only the state contributing but the federal government and the city pitching in as well.

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