From left, West Haven Planning Director Christopher Soto, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr. and Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy inspect the Water Street area of The Haven development for blight violations during an emergency meeting Friday. The city is considering fining the project developer for not cleaning up and maintaining the properties it owns along Water Street, which is temporarily closed, as part of the long-planned luxury outlet center. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Rossi considers fining The Haven developer for blight

WEST HAVEN, May 9, 2022 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said the city is considering fining The Haven developer for not cleaning up and maintaining the properties it owns along Water Street as part of the long-planned luxury outlet center.

Rossi’s warning came during an “emergency” meeting with city and public safety officials at the Water Street project site Friday to discuss options for holding the developer, Simon Premium Outlets of Morristown, New Jersey, responsible for the area’s rise in blight and traffic issues since the street’s temporary closure for The Haven’s demolition phase two years ago.

The temporary closure, approved by the city’s Board of Police Commissioners, was expected to pave the way for the demolition of several existing commercial buildings acquired by the developer as part of The Haven South Municipal Development Plan. The area is composed of 55 properties bounded by First Avenue, Elm Street, Water Street, Center Street, Richards Place, Main Street and Bayview Place.

While some buildings have been razed since April 27, 2020, The Haven Development Co. has yet to submit plans to the city to build the proposed $200 million, 261,182-square-foot waterfront development.

The development company is led by John P. Dionis, Simon’s vice president of development, and Matt Armstrong, the executive vice president of The Haven Group LLC, based in Dallas.

During the morning meeting, which included an inspection of Water Street, Rossi said the city has not heard from the developer in more than three months, despite repeated calls to Dionis by city officials to discuss blight and traffic concerns.

The meeting was attended by Rossi Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr., City Council Chairman Peter V. Massaro, Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy, Planning Director Christopher Soto, West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien, and police traffic Sgt. Joseph D’Amato and spokesman Sgt. Patrick Buturla.

Rossi expressed disappointment and frustration over Dionis’ lack of communication with the city, saying she plans to give the developer 15 days to respond and take action on blight.

Soto, who leads the Department of Planning and Development, said the city will enforce blight violations “based on The Haven’s inactivity and the developer’s unwillingness to maintain the properties.”

Soto said enforcement measures would include fines “to protect the health and safety of the surrounding neighborhood.”

Rossi said she also wants to temporarily reopen Water Street by June 1 to reduce the area’s traffic congestion during the summer months.

D’Amato and Soto said that to temporarily reopen the street, which connects to Main and Elm streets, the city must secure the area with fencing and install a guardrail at the bend of Main and Water streets.

But first, the city must receive police commission approval to temporarily reopen Water Street, Rossi noted.

According to the developer, The Haven, when completed, will encompass 26 waterfront acres featuring dozens of luxury retail shops, restaurants and a promenade. The project is expected to generate between 800 and 1,200 jobs and several million dollars in municipal tax revenue and fees, the developer has said.

$28K donation funds breast cancer scholarship for 14 years

$28K gift funds breast cancer scholarship for 14 years

WEST HAVEN, May 9, 2022 — (Pictured, from left): Douglas J. Ruickoldt and his father, Doug “the Rake” Ruickoldt, present a $28,000 check on behalf of the West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program to West Haven High School Principal Dana Paredes on Friday to benefit the Susan A. Ruickoldt Scholarship Fund as Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and committee member Beth A. Sabo look on.

The donation will support the scholarship fund for the next 14 years, said Sabo, adding that money raised at the annual Dubel’s Golf Tournament will further benefit the fund.

The Ruickoldts thanked and praised Sabo for her unwavering commitment to the Breast Cancer Awareness Program, including collecting more than $700,000 for breast cancer research and education since the program’s inception in 2000.

The scholarship fund was founded in March 2003 to raise breast cancer awareness in honor of Susan Ruickoldt, who taught third grade at Savin Rock Community School before succumbing to breast cancer in 1997.

Each spring since 2003, scholarship organizers have awarded $2,000 in Ruickoldt’s memory to a female high school senior from West Haven who plans to continue her education.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Craft, farm, food truck vendors sought for farmers market

WEST HAVEN, May 9, 2022 — The city is seeking craft, farm and food truck vendors to participate in the Tony Inzero Farmers Market, which will open its 2022 season July 7 in the Oak Street Beach parking lot off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

Through Oct. 15, the market, nestled on the right side of the Oak Street municipal lot, will include state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables and crafters selling wares from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays.

It will also include food trucks.

To participate in the semiweekly market, download an Application.

Applications are also available for pickup in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St., where they are due June 13.

Completed applications must be emailed to the market’s manager, Killian Gruber, at kgruber@westhaven-ct.gov or faxed to 203-937-3705.

For more information, call Gruber at 203-937-3518..

City earns Silver certification in economic development, land use

WEST HAVEN, May 2, 2022 — West Haven was among 12 cities and towns certified by the Connecticut Economic Development Association on Thursday for exemplifying best practices in economic development and land use.

CEDAS Board President Kristen Gorski announced West Haven as one of eight municipalities certified as a 2022 Silver community, joining the neighboring towns of Guilford, Hamden, North Branford and Woodbridge.

Three others earned Gold certification, and one received Bronze status.

“I commend this year’s accreditation recipients,” Gorski said. “To become a certified community is an immense achievement, which is a tribute to each municipality’s dedication to reviewing existing strategies, determining areas where the community excels, recognizing areas of improvement and actively focusing on advancing economic vitality.”

According to Gorski, the certified municipalities participated in a “rigorous” application review process that required documentation of procedures for development projects, community engagement and consideration of economic development strategies.

The application consisted of four components: communications and marketing, coordination and collaboration, organizational capacity and strategy, and policies and programs.

“I am honored to announce that West Haven has been certified for best practices in land use and economic development,” Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said. “This certification would not have been possible without the hard work of city leaders, volunteers, stakeholders and residents, who have been working tirelessly on multiple development projects through the years.”

Rossi added: “Projects like the raising of Beach Street, the renovation of the Allingtown Green and the opening of New England Brewing Co. demonstrate the leadership and innovation of West Haven as a model municipality in Connecticut. I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to the leaders of our community who have paved the way for this honor and to the Connecticut Economic Development Association, which has been recognizing sustainability, development and best practices since it began the certification program in 2019.”

Gorski said CEDAS created the Best Practices Certification Program “to improve the overall quality of economic development services by creating process standards; to drive communities to pursue excellence in land use and economic development by recognizing communities with best practices; to accelerate sharing of best practices among community decision-makers; and to encourage more transparent, efficient, community-engaged economic development throughout Connecticut.”

CEDAS, based on Long Wharf Drive in New Haven, will present awards to the certified municipalities in June.

CEDAS is a not-for-profit membership organization committed to advancing the practice of economic development in Connecticut. The organization provides a forum for the economic development community, hosts educational programs, fosters sustainable economic growth and advocates to improve the state’s economy.

Details at CEDAS.

Genesis Medica opens walk-in medical center in West Haven

Genesis Medica opens walk-in medical center on Rte. 34

WEST HAVEN, April 28, 2022 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, cuts the ribbon with Genesis Medica owner Dr. Sanjay Aggarwal on April 27 to celebrate the grand opening of the walk-in medical center’s West Haven office at 518 Derby Ave.

Marking the event are, from left, Genesis Medica advanced practice registered nurse Maureen Jones, office coordinator Alexis Ellison, physical therapist John Armstrong and administrator Sherri Fusco.

The rebuilt West Haven location, formerly Tony & Gary Hair Salon, is Genesis Medica’s newest walk-in center for primary care and addiction medicine.

The 1,800-square-foot office flanks the city’s bustling Route 34 commercial corridor and joins Genesis walk-in centers in Milford and New Haven.

Genesis specializes in patient-centered care tailored to individual needs, said Aggarwal, the lead physician.

Services are offered for wellness and illness visits, smoking cessation, health screenings, physicals, allergy testing, chronic illness management, weight loss management and opioid addiction treatment.

Medicaid, Medicare and commercial insurances are accepted.

The West Haven office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)