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Robert T. Wolfe and “Union Square” (aka Hill) Neighborhood in New Haven Receives a Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant for Transformational Revitalization 

NEW HAVEN, CT October 4, 2023 – Elm City Communities (ECC/HANH) and their development instrumentality The Glendower Group (Glendower) is proud to announce a significant milestone in its mission to revitalize New Haven neighborhoods. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has granted $500,000 in Choice Neighborhoods planning funds transforming the Robert T. Wolfe Building and surrounding “Union Square” community.  This partnership signifies a shared commitment to transforming the community into a vibrant, accessible, and inclusive space.

Robert T. Wolfe is a 92-unit, low-income, public housing high rise located adjacent to the Union Station Train Station, New Haven Police Headquarters and the former site of Church St. South housing development in need of significant redevelopment to meet the needs of its residents.  It is located adjacent to downtown, The Hill and the Medical Center District in the newly monikered Union Square area, an area like Robert T. Wolfe, in need of reinvestment.

Union Square has shown promising signs of investment, yet a significant segment of the community continues to contend with poverty and disinvestment. Challenges such as substandard housing, vacant properties, and underutilized lots persist in the neighborhood. Nevertheless, the potential for revitalization of Robert T. Wolfe and the broader Union Square area gleams brightly, thanks to its central location within a bustling transportation hub, proximity to the Central Business District, available vacant land, and a private sector eager to contribute to its future success.

ECC/HANH and Glendower’s vision for urban renewal and community enhancement will revitalize the Union Square community. Glendower, in close collaboration with ECC/HANH, is proud to lead this transformative initiative. Together with the active involvement of city officials and residents, including those living in the area, and the broader neighborhood community, they aim to craft a comprehensive community plan that will pave the way for substantial positive change in Union Square.

HUD’s Choice Neighborhood Program leverages significant public and private dollars to support locally driven strategies that address struggling neighborhoods with severely distressed public housing and/or HUD-assisted housing through a comprehensive approach to neighborhood transformation. Through CNI communities develop comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategies known as “Transformation Plans” that focus on three main goals:

1. Housing: Replace severely distressed public and HUD-assisted housing with high-quality mixed-income housing that is well-managed and responsive to the needs of the surrounding neighborhood
2. People: Improve outcomes of households living in the target housing related to income and employment, health, and education; and
3. Neighborhood: Create the conditions necessary for public and private reinvestment in distressed neighborhoods to offer the kinds of amenities and assets, including safety, good schools, and commercial activity, that are important to families’ choices about their community.

The $500,000 CNI Planning Grant award enables EC/HANH and Glendower to complete the development of the Transformation Plan.

The vision for the site is one of innovation, opportunity, and community empowerment. Through a comprehensive redevelopment plan, Glendower will aim to follow HUD’s three-pronged “Housing, People and Neighborhood” approach by:

1. Gathering data at the resident and neighborhood level by holding resident, community & stakeholder engagement charrettes to assure that residents and other stakeholders are meaningfully engaged in the planning and implementation process

2. Developing a plan for housing design, neighborhood improvements and employment, education and health care programs
3. Embarking on initiatives for Beautification, Community Arts, Fresh Food access and Homeowner/Business Façade enhancement programs

“We are immensely grateful for the support from HUD,” stated Karen DuBois-Walton, President of Elm City Communities and The Glendower Group. “This funding represents a pivotal moment for transforming Robert T. Wolfe and the underutilized Union Square area and its connections to Downtown and the Hill Neighborhood and underscores our dedication to creating vibrant, sustainable communities that benefit all.”

Community engagement will be a cornerstone of this redevelopment effort, with opportunities for residents to participate in the decision-making process. This inclusive approach ensures that the revitalization meets the unique needs and aspirations of the community.

“We are excited to embark on this transformative journey and are dedicated to creating a neighborhood that everyone can be proud to call home,” said Shenae Draughn, Executive Vice President, ECC/HANH and The Glendower Group.

The Glendower Group invites all community members, stakeholders, and partners to join us on this exciting path forward. Together, we will build a brighter, more inclusive future for New Haven.

SPECIAL THANKS: Mayor Justin Elicker; Honorable Rosa L. DeLauro; Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Christopher Murphy; Alderwoman Honda Smith; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) staff: Suzanne Piacentini, Jennifer Gottlieb, Commissioner Alexandra Daum, Binu Chandy, and Shawntay Nelson from the State Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), Rob Vest and Lauren Henry from Redstone Equity Partners, Joshua Reiss from Lument Capital Holdings

About The Glendower Group: The Glendower Group (Glendower) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation established in November 2001 as an instrumentality to the Elm City Communities / Housing Authority of New Haven (ECC/HANH), located in Connecticut.  Glendower is at the forefront of those leading the private sector market in affordable housing.  Glendower provides comprehensive and integrated real estate development services specializing in affordable housing.  Together, Glendower and ECC/HANH have undertaken an aggressive redevelopment / modernization program allowing for the transformation of our housing portfolio throughout the City of New Haven.   Partnering with the City of New Haven, we have been able to close over 10 major redevelopments. Since 2009, Glendower has served as the sole developer or co-developer on 15 major affordable and market rate development projects with assets in excess of $850 million. Glendower’s vision has always been high-quality, innovative, and fiscally sound housing for families.

About Elm City Communities / Housing Authority of the City of New Haven (ECC/HANH): We, at Elm City Communities, believe public housing is the foundation from which the American Dream will survive and thrive for generations to come. Our vision is a New Haven where every resident has a safe and decent home that they can afford and opportunities to fulfill their goals. Since becoming a HUD-designated Moving To Work (MTW) agency in 2000, Elm City Communities has become an incubator of innovation and an economic engine in New Haven, Connecticut. As a result, Elm City Communities has increased affordable housing choice, provided an array of self-sufficiency programs, created across the board cost savings measures, and spurred millions of dollars of indirect economic activity through redevelopment projects and job creation. Through the development and operation of affordable communities of choice and by providing opportunities for greater self-sufficiency in New Haven, we offer a lifeline to the American Dream.

Glendower President, Karen DuBois-Walton, PhD enjoys artwork created by local artists and newly installed in the Mill River Crossing Development

March 23, 2023, New Haven, CT – The Glendower Group (Glendower), an instrumentality to Elm City Communities / Housing Authority of New Haven (ECC/HANH) is proud to announce that it will install local art pieces in ECC/HANH properties that Glendower has redeveloped. The company aims to support the local art community and bring a unique and engaging experience to their residents and visitors.

Glendower and ECC/HANH has always been committed to enhancing the living experience of their residents and creating vibrant communities. By incorporating local art into their developments, Glendower hopes to provide a platform for local artists to showcase their work and create a sense of pride within the community.

“We believe that art is an integral part of any community, and we are excited to support our local artists by giving them a platform to showcase their talents,” said Karen DuBois-Walton, President of Glendower. “We are committed to creating spaces that inspire and enrich the lives of our residents, and we believe that incorporating local art will help us achieve this goal.”

The company worked closely with local artists and held a contest to identify pieces that were representative of the community and aligned with the design aesthetics of their developments. Glendower will also work with the artists to ensure that the installations are properly maintained and preserved for years to come.

“Art has the power to transcend boundaries and transform spaces. When my artwork finds a home in an affordable housing development, it becomes a catalyst for hope, inspiration, and community pride. It is a reminder that beauty and creativity should be accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status,” says Faustin Adeniran whose art will grace the lobby.

Eliska Greenspoon reflects, “Through art, we can create a sense of belonging, spark conversations, and foster a sense of empowerment. By installing my artwork in the community center at Mill River, I aim to contribute to the uplifting of individuals and the creation of vibrant, inclusive communities.”

The installations will allow residents and visitors alike to appreciate the artwork as they go about their daily lives. Glendower hopes that this initiative will foster a sense of community pride and inspire others to follow suit.

Glendower’s commitment to supporting the local art community is part of the company’s broader social responsibility initiative, which includes supporting local businesses, reducing its carbon footprint, and promoting sustainable development practices.

We at The Glendower Group are always on the lookout for exceptional artistic talent to collaborate with and feature in our current and future developments. If you are passionate about your craft and eager to showcase your skills to a wider audience, we would love to hear from you!

Whether you’re an illustrator, painter, sculptor, digital artist, or working in any other medium, we believe in promoting and supporting artists from diverse backgrounds and styles. Your unique perspective and creativity can bring a fresh and captivating dimension to our developments.

If you’re interested in being considered for future opportunities with The Glendower Group, we invite you to reach out to us. To be considered, please provide the following information:

• Your full name and contact details (email address and phone number).
• A brief introduction about yourself, highlighting your artistic background and experience.
• Examples of your work that best represent your style and abilities. You may provide links to your portfolio, website, or attach relevant images or files.
• Any specific areas or themes you are particularly interested in exploring through your art.
• Your availability and willingness to collaborate on potential projects.
• Please send the above information to Christina Musante at cmusante@theglendowergroup.org with the subject line “Artist Collaboration Inquiry.” Our team will review your submission and get in touch with you if we find a suitable opportunity to collaborate.

Please note that while we would love to respond to each inquiry personally, the high volume of submissions may limit our ability to do so. Nevertheless, please rest assured that we carefully review every submission we receive.

We appreciate your interest in partnering with us and look forward to discovering amazing artistic talents. Together, let’s create something truly beautiful!

For more information about Glendower, please visit www.theglendowergroup.org or contact: Christina Musante cmusante@theglendowergroup.org

About the artists featured at the Mill River Community Center: 

Eliška Mörsel Greenspoon

Eliška Mörsel Greenspoon was born in Chomutov, Czech Republic and currently works out of her studio space in New Haven, Connecticut. She has a B.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University and a M.F.A. from Clemson University. Her work can be found in many private collections.  Black and white photograms (a laying of objects onto light sensitive paper and exposing it to light), are re-interpreted as they are scanned into vivid color imagery that evolve into layered collages resembling organic elements.

Faustin Adeniran

Faustin Adeniran is a contemporary artist from Lagos, Nigeria working in New Haven, Connecticut. For the past ten years, his work has been to re-imagine materials that would otherwise be considered trash or recyclable.  Through extensive historical research and deep observation of cultural trends, Faustin Adeniran’s work takes a critical view of society. Faustin’s art series reflect elements of the communities he encounters.

About The Glendower Group: The Glendower Group (Glendower) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation established in November 2001 as an instrumentality to the Elm City Communities / Housing Authority of New Haven (ECC/HANH), Connecticut.  Glendower is at the forefront of those leading the private sector market in affordable housing.  They provide comprehensive and integrated real estate development services specializing in affordable housing.  Together, Glendower and ECC/HANH have undertaken an

aggressive redevelopment / modernization program allowing for the transformation of our housing portfolio throughout the City of New Haven.  Partnering with the City of New Haven, we have been able to close six major Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) redevelopments.  Since 2009, Glendower has served as the sole developer or co-developer on 15 major affordable and market-rate development projects.  The Glendower Group has been awarded over $336 million dollars in redevelopment funds and has redeveloped over 2,250 units. To date, Glendower has efficiently relocated over 2,500 families working in concert with contractors and developers. Glendower’s vision has always been high-quality, innovative, and fiscally sound housing for families. The firm has completed more than $336 million in development projects and has orchestrated successful neighborhood transformations. Glendower has leveraged over $544 million.

About Elm City Communities / Housing Authority of the City of New Haven (ECC/HANH): We, at Elm City Communities, believe public housing is the foundation from which the American Dream will survive and thrive for generations to come. Our vision is a New Haven where every resident has a safe and decent home that they can afford and opportunities to fulfill their goals. Since becoming a HUD-designated Moving To Work (MTW) agency in 2000, Elm City Communities has become an incubator of innovation and an economic engine in New Haven, Connecticut. As a result, Elm City Communities has increased affordable housing choice, provided an array of self-sufficiency programs, created across the board cost savings measures, and spurred millions of dollars of indirect economic activity through redevelopment projects and job creation. Through the development and operation of affordable communities of choice and by providing opportunities for greater self-sufficiency in New Haven, we offer a lifeline to the American Dream.