CITY OF NEW HAVEN SELECTS PENNROSE AS PREFERRED DEVELOPER FOR MULTI-USE REDEVELOPMENT & RENOVATION OF FAIR HAVEN’S HISTORIC STRONG SCHOOL
Following a two-year planning and community engagement process, the redevelopment of the site of New Haven’s first public school will revitalize Grand Avenue with arts, culture, and affordable housing.
NEW HAVEN, CT – Today, the City of New Haven announced it has selected Pennrose as the preferred developer for the former Horace H. Strong School at 69 Grand Avenue in the Fair Haven neighborhood, following the recommendation of a Selection Committee composed of community members and representatives from the City’s planning, economic development, and housing divisions. Pennrose proposes an adaptive renovation of the historic school building that will provide 58 affordable housing units as well as community arts and culture space including live/work spaces for local artists. An LGBTQ-friendly environment is a key aspect of the project vision as well.
Built in 1915, the former Strong School is a major city landmark. The original building on the site was erected in 1808 and was the first public school in New Haven. Restoration and reactivation of the Strong School has been a priority for the City of New Haven and the Fair Haven community since its closure in 2010. Pennrose’s proposal reflects the community’s values and priorities of artistic and cultural enrichment, accessibility and inclusion, and historic preservation, which were expressed through a two-year community engagement process that involved hundreds of neighborhood residents.
“The Strong School is a truly special building and site, and the City of New Haven is excited to begin this redevelopment and renovation project with Pennrose to deliver more affordable housing to the Fair Haven community. The project’s added focus on creating community arts spaces will also help highlight the artistic contributions of residents and the cultural vibrancy that truly defines Fair Haven,” said Mayor Justin Elicker. “I want to thank Fair Haven residents for engaging in such a robust public process, as their inputs and contributions will help ensure this is a high-quality project that is responsive to the community’s values, needs, and concerns.”
The estimated total cost of the project is $25 million with a projected completion date of 2025. All 58 residential units -- which includes a mix of studio, one bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments -- will be affordable units for households between 30% to 80% of the area median income (AMI). The vast majority of units (48) will be deeply affordable housing for households between 30% and 60% of the AMI.
Pennrose is ranked among the top 25 affordable housing developers nationally and has unique expertise in historic school restoration. Pennrose recently redeveloped the historic Mary D. Stone School in Auburn, MA into mixed-income senior housing and was awarded the 2022 Affordable Housing Finance Magazine Reader’s Choice Award for the conversion. Pennrose is also completing redevelopment of the historic William Barton Rogers Middle School in Boston, MA, which will be New England’s first LGBTQ-friendly senior affordable housing development. They have also completed similar projects in many Connecticut cities and towns including Hartford, Torrington, and Meriden.
In addition to Pennrose, the development team includes: The Cloud Company, a 100% minority-owned, CT-based real-estate development firm; WRT Planning and Design; and historic consultant PAL Inc. Following construction, the property will be managed by the Pennrose Management Company.
Arlevia Samuel, Executive Director of the City of New Haven’s Livable City Initiative, stated “Based on Pennrose’s thoughtfully submitted proposal, site visits to other Pennrose-developed properties as well as their proven track record of rehabilitating historic properties into affordable housing throughout New England, we have every confidence in Pennrose’s ability to complete the important project.”
“Fair Haven community leaders have collaborated for over a decade to achieve the highest and best use for this unique asset on our main street. The partnership is a breakthrough for our community that will make Fair Haven an even better place to live, work, and visit,” said Alder Sarah Miller (Ward 14).
“Our vision for the project is inspired deeply by the Fair Haven community’s passion and commitment to the historic Strong School,” said Charlie Adams, Regional Vice President for Pennrose. “This redevelopment will bring a former cultural asset back to life and allow the Strong School to continue to serve the community for many more decades to come. We are very excited to become part of the Fair Haven community!”
The City of New Haven anticipates a three-year planning and construction timeline while continuing to work closely with community partners as the project moves forward. As part of the process, a definitive development agreement will be negotiated and submitted to the Board of Alders for review and approval. Quarterly status updates will also be provided to the community via the regular meetings of the Fair Haven Community Management Team, beginning on Thursday November 3 at 6 p.m. at the Fair Haven Public Library Branch and on Zoom. Additional details can be found at fhcmt.org.
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PRESS CONTACT
Lenny H. Speiller; (203) 725-4249
Lspeiller@newhavenct.gov
