The address 470 James Street in New Haven is a polluted former CT Transit bus depot.
“This part of New Haven has been abandoned for a number of years,” said Rep. Roland Lemar (D – New Haven/East Haven).
But that is about to change as city officials have given developers the green light to transform the property into a multi-million dollar tech and innovation campus called “District”.
“It is really going to capitalize on what we’re doing in New Haven,” Lemar said, “Which is attracting and growing young entrepreneurial jobs. It is going be really transformative for that part of the state.”
Remediation of this contaminated site can start soon thanks to $5.5 million dollars in funding from the state.
Developer David Salinas’ company, Digital Surgeons, and his co-developer’s business Cross Fit New haven, both plan to move into the new complex.
“I think it’s going to be huge for the city and the state,” Salinas told NBC Connecticut, “It is like no other work space in the state and I think in the New England region.”
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In addition to the office space for tech companies, there are plans for a riverfront beer garden and kayak launch.
Lemar said the redevelopment project is similar to what has been done in cities like Brooklyn, Palo Alto and San Antonio.
