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RESOLUTION OF THE NEW HAVEN BOARD OF ALDERS AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO APPLY FOR AND ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES PILOT PROGRAM, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE I-91 NEIGHBORHOOD RECONNECTION INITIATIVE.
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WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has established the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (“RCP”) Grant Opportunity, which is dedicated to reconnecting communities that were historically cut off from economic opportunities due to the erection of transportation infrastructure;
WHEREAS, funding from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (the “RCP Program”) supports planning grants to restore community connectivity through the removal, retrofit, mitigation, or replacement of eligible transportation infrastructure facilities;
WHEREAS, the RCP Program seeks to redress the legacy of harm caused by transportation infrastructure, including barriers to opportunity, displacement, damage to the environment and public health, limited access, and other hardships;
WHEREAS, in pursuit of this goal, the RCP Program will support and engage economically disadvantaged communities to increase affordable, accessible, and multimodal access to daily destinations like jobs, healthcare, grocery stores, schools, places of worship, recreation, and park space;
WHEREAS, the construction of Interstate 91 (I-91) in New Haven created a substantial barrier, partitioning the City into distinct eastern and western quadrants, disrupting the social and economic fabric of our neighborhoods;
WHEREAS, the City of New Haven (the “City”) proposes to seek RCP Program Community Planning funding, along with $400,000 from a mix of local and federal sources to explore ways to break down barriers and bolster connectivity across the affected areas, from Long Wharf to Fair Haven, by undertaking the following tasks: 1) developing a buildable strategy for reconnecting the neighborhoods off of I-91 Exits 3-6, along with adjoining amenities, through the reclamation of land and rerouting traffic to efficiently move traffic while reducing the physical divide caused by the highway; 2) transforming underutilized spaces beneath highways and underpasses into vibrant public realms that enhance bicycle and pedestrian access, fostering a sense of place and ownership for residents; and 3) exploring potential housing development opportunities on the east side of I-91, specifically in the Mill River and River Street areas, to stimulate economic growth and increase residential density;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 8-169f of the Connecticut General Statutes, the USDOT is authorized to provide financial assistance for economic development projects under Section 107 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, provided that certain conditions are met, including approval by the municipality's legislative body; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the City submit an application to the USDOT for an amount not to exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) to undertake the I-91 Neighborhood Reconnection Initiative in accordance with the goals of the RCP Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the New Haven Board of Alders that:
1). It is cognizant of the conditions and prerequisites for financial assistance imposed by the USDOT.
2). That the filing of an application by the City for financial assistance with USDOT for the benefit of the RCP Program by the City in an amount not to exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) is hereby approved and that Justin Elicker, as Mayor of the City, is hereby authorized and directed to execute and file said application with the USDOT, to provide such additional information as may be required, to execute such other documents as may be required in connection with the application process, to execute an Assistance Agreement with USDOT for financial assistance (if such an agreement is offered), in the amount of $2,000,000 or for such lesser amount (if any) as may be offered by USDOT (which Assistance Agreement may include an indemnification of USDOT and/or the Federal Government and/or other relevant federal agency), to execute any amendments, rescissions, and revisions thereto, and to act as the authorized representative of the City in connection with all other matters pertaining to said application, and that the Grant Agreement and/or any ancillary document may contain an indemnity of two and/or any other appointee subdivision of the federal government.