West Haven officials announced Thursday that the city had received a $5.1 million Connecticut state grant expected to kick-start the development of a derelict stretch of shoreline near I-95.
The bulk of the grant money will go toward street improvements along Elm Street, Water Street and Kimberly Avenue – work needed in order to begin construction at The Haven, a planned luxury shopping complex across from New Haven’s City Point.
“This is about the gateway to our city,” said West Haven State Rep. Dorinda Borer (D-115). “The first impression when you come over the Kimberly Avenue bridge has not been a very pleasant one for many years. This whole project is going to turn the image around.”
Developers of The Haven luxury mall have spent $30 million to buy 57 parcels on 26 acres along the West Haven waterfront, according to Fred A. Messore, West Haven commissioner of planning and development. The main Bilco factory as well as churches, an antique mall and various marine business once operated on the site.
Although a ground-breaking has yet to be scheduled, developers The Haven Group LLC, have committed to opening the mall by June 2020, Messore said. The project features 265,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space adjoining a privately-managed, waterfront boardwalk.
“It’s going to be a destination location,” Messore said. “We look forward to bringing this to the next level.”
“I hope we’re back here very shortly with shovels in our hands,” West Haven Mayor Nancy Rossi said following a visit to the site on Thursday.
