The plan will serve as a blueprint and policy guide for the future of New Haven, leading up to its 250th anniversary as an incorporated city.
First community meeting scheduled for Thursday evening with more information available at newhavenct.gov/vision2034 and January 11th Meeting Flyer
NEW HAVEN, CT – Today, Mayor Justin Elicker announced the kickoff to Vision 2034, a citywide community planning process that will result in the creation of New Haven’s Vision 2034 Comprehensive Plan, a ten-year blueprint for the City's future and a policy guide for achieving the City’s planning goals over the next decade as New Haven approaches its 250th anniversary of an incorporated city. Residents, community leaders and government officials will work collaboratively to develop the plan’s goals, priorities and actions that will touch upon virtually every aspect of city life, including housing, neighborhood planning, land use, economic development, transportation, sustainability, public investments and more.
“It’s an exciting time for the City of New Haven. We’re a growing city where more and more people want to continue to live, relocate to, work, visit, start a business, and raise a family. However, with growth requires thoughtful planning that allows us to expand in a way that’s inclusive, equitable and sustainable for all our residents,” said Mayor Elicker. “As we approach New Haven’s 250th anniversary as an incorporated city in 2034, it’s important for us to come together to reflect on the type of city we want to live in and have our children to inherit -- and then to work together to make that a reality. I’m excited for the Vision 2034 process and plan that will serve as our city’s blueprint for the next decade, and I encourage my fellow residents to get involved and be a part of it.”
Consistent with state statutes (C.G.S., Section 8-23), every ten years municipalities are required to adopt or amend a “Plan of Conservation and Development,” which is necessary for State funding and also used to secure grants. This time, the plan will take on added significance, as it will coincide with the New Haven’s 250th birthday as an incorporated city in 1784. The process will be led by the City Plan Department in coordination and collaboration with other city departments, the Vision 2034 Steering Committee and other stakeholders.
“This is a unique once-in-a-decade opportunity for residents to participate in co-creating a collective vision and plan for our city’s future,” said Laura Brown, Executive Director of the City Plan Department. “There are so many ways that residents can get involved in Vision 2034 and we hope everyone finds a way to share their vision, ideas and talents through this process. This can be as small as sharing a suggestion or concern at a meeting to serving in a leadership role as a Steering Committee member to engaging with their neighbors as a Community Navigator. We’re excited to engage with our fellow residents throughout the Vision 2034 process.”
The City of New Haven has created a dedicated website where residents can learn more, stay up-to-date and get involved in the Vision 2034 process and plan: newhavenct.gov/vision2034.
The kickoff and first community meeting for the Vision 2034 community engagement and planning process will take place this Thursday, January 11th at 5:30 pm at the Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School (BRAMS Hall), located at 150 Kimberly Avenue in the Hill neighborhood. There will be an open house with activities, information, and dinner from 5:30pm - 6:15pm. Then Mayor Elicker will deliver opening remarks and attendees will have the opportunity to hear a short presentation; meet city staff, the consultant team, and current Steering Committee; participate in a question-and-answer session and provide feedback on the Vision 2034 Community Engagement Plan. Spanish and ASL interpretation will be available and attendees can also participate virtually via Zoom with the online meeting information available at newhavenct.gov/vision2034.
“The Vision 2034 Comprehensive Plan is a very important document for our city. It puts forward a vision for how we want the city to grow and develop,” said Alder Adam Marchand who also serves as a member of both the Vision 2034 Steering Committee and City Plan Commission. “I strongly encourage our residents to be a part of the process and I’m excited to work with my colleagues and fellow residents to make the best plan possible for New Haven.”
Throughout 2024, there will be many opportunities for residents and stakeholders to get involved in the process and to provide their thoughts and input into the creation of the Vision 2034 Comprehensive Plan. Additional opportunities for residents include participating in the Vision 2034 Steering Committee, joining one of the “Co-Creation Teams” for each of the plan’s major topic areas, attending public workshops and meetings, engaging with city staff and “Community Navigators” at community events, and completing a community survey, among others. In addition, involvement and engagement with New Haven’s youth will also be a priority in the development of the plan, with five New Haven public high school students serving on the Vision 2034 Youth Leadership Team to help collect input from their peers.
Approximately ten “Community Navigators” will be hired as part-time, temporary positions for residents to engage their fellow neighbors and connect with groups and individuals often excluded from traditional outreach methods. Navigators will be trained to host and facilitate public input meetings using a facilitation toolkit. Residents can apply by visiting the newhavenct.gov/vision2034 and applying online by January 28, 2024.
A component of the Vision 2034 community engagement plan is working with several strategic partners spanning various focus areas across the Elm City. One Vision 2034 partner is the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, which was also involved in the development of the City’s first-ever Cultural Equity Plan.
“I’m immensely grateful that the Arts Council of Greater New Haven will be involved in this process because we will have a chance to elevate the needs of the artists and culture-makers who have made New Haven one of the best cities in America to live in and visit,” stated Hope Chávez, Executive Director of The Arts Council of Greater New Haven and Vision 2034 Steering Committee member. “I know that through these conversations, we’ll help create a shared understanding of how housing, healthcare, transportation, commerce, and all local policy are inextricably linked to the cultural fabric of New Haven and we’ll help plant seeds for a more just and equitable community.”
Once the initial community and stakeholder engagement process is complete, a draft Vision 2034 Comprehensive Plan will be developed and submitted for review by the City Plan Commission, the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCROCG), the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection and the New Haven Board of Alders. As part of the process, a public hearing will also be scheduled for residents to provide their inputs on the draft plan prior to its ultimate approval and adoption by the New Haven Board of Alders.
PRESS CONTACT:
Lenny H. Speiller: (203) 725-4249; Lspeiller@newhavenct.gov
