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September 21, 2023

New Haven panel approves $25M plan to convert school to apartments

IMAGE | COURTESY PENNROSE A rendering of the planned redevelopment of New Haven's former Strong School.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

Plans to convert the long-vacant former Strong School building at 69 Grand Ave. in New Haven into residential apartments secured key approvals Wednesday night.

The City Plan Commission approved the site plan, coastal site plan, and two special permits required for the project to proceed, according to Planner Esther Rose-Wilen.

Pennrose LLC and The Cloud Company LLC plan to create 58 mixed-income residential apartments and a community amenity space by renovating the school building and constructing a 50,225-square-foot addition.

The city of New Haven currently owns the property, which is just over 1 acre, though the applicants plan to purchase the site for $500,000.

The building was used as an elementary school for about a century before closing in 2010.

The housing units will be entirely deed-restricted as affordable, according to Attorney Meaghan Miles, who represents the applicants.

“This exciting project will add much-needed affordable housing and community space to Fair Haven and contribute to the revitalization of the Grand Avenue commercial corridor,” the application states.

In addition to Grand Avenue, the property also has frontage on Perkins Street and Clinton Avenue.

In the fall of 2022, the city announced it had selected Pennrose as its preferred developer for the site. At the time, the city indicated the project would include 58 affordable housing units and  community arts and culture space, including live/work spaces for local artists. An LGBTQ-friendly environment is a key aspect of the project vision, according to the announcement.

Plans are for the residential units to include a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. They will range in size between 555 and 1,175 square feet, the application shows.

City officials estimated the project would cost $25 million, with a completion date in 2025.

The developer plans to preserve the school’s auditorium space. It will be available for community use, such as for health and wellness programs, community art shows, and New Haven Pride Center events.

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