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03/03/2023 12:17 PMFirst Selectman Michael Freda stated that he sees a bright future ahead for the Town of North Haven in his State of the Town speech at the Quinnipiac University (QU) North Haven Campus on Feb. 25.
Speaking before the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce (QCOC) and represented businesses, Freda outlined the town’s most recent economic development success, future challenges ahead, and the opportunities that lie ahead.
“In between the two pillars of successes and challenges, lies, what I see, to be a vast oasis of opportunities, and that’s what I’m focusing on,” Freda said.
QCOC executive director Ray Andrewsen gave his opening remarks to representatives, stating that “it’s been a tough couple of years, but things [are] getting better,” he said. “We have reason for optimism, and we have reason here in North Haven for optimism, too.”
Jeffery Donofrio of the law firm Ciulla and Donofrio, LLP, one of the event’s sponsors, praised the Freda for being “a big supporter of local businesses” and for providing a “safe place to do business” through his and the town administration’s efforts to foster that environment unique to Connecticut and beyond.
“I think when you look at dissatisfaction around the country with the role of government, Mike and his team have continued to do a remarkable job in North Haven,” Donofrio said.
More optimistic remarks were followed by QCOC President and CEO Garett Sheehan, and QU president Judy D. Olian, with the former stating, “As we look forward into 2023, the partnership with the Greater New Haven Chamber [of Commerce] is as strong as ever; we have so many activities that we’re going to have you this year.”
Olian echoed the strength of collaboration from the perspective of the university.
“We are really proud of this rich and growing partnership, where we find all kinds of new ways to benefit North Haven, benefit our students, and the well-being, in the broader sense, of the word. We are stronger, Quinnipiac University, because North Haven is such a strong and supportive partner.”
Freda took to the microphone for his speech, in which he touted the numerous development successes achieved through challenges such as inflation and interest rates, the continued obligations of improving services in parks and recreation, infrastructure, and public building projects in an inclusive fashion, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Freda acknowledged the “integral” support of QU and its students as “a part of the fabric of the Town of North Haven.”
Drawing comparisons between the responsibilities of a business and a municipality, Freda said it is incumbent on the town to continue to provide services and that “our customers are our citizens, our clients our businesses. That, in my view, is the business aspect of government.”
Examples of successful economic development as a business-oriented means of fueling greater grand list growth for North Haven were central points made by Freda. He walked QCOC representatives through the numerous diverse projects that he has helped to bring to town.
A major accomplishment he showed to attendees was the recent acquisition of the warehouse on 50 Devine Street by New York-based bakery company A&M Bronx Bakery. Freda spoke of the potential economic benefits for the town with the company’s purchase and renovation of the building.
“They’re going to be making such a huge capital investment in North Haven; they’ll create a hundred jobs,” he said. “The owner and I are working on a concept that will include a retail store in the front side of the bakery, where people can go in and purchase products.”
Other major examples of recent North Haven development successes included the expansion of the Twelve Percent Beer Project onto State Street and the long-standing $4 million Hampton Inn project on Universal Drive, which saw construction halted due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also mentioned were the openings of Crumbl Cookies, Metro Mattress, Xperiment Virtual Reality arcade, and the retaining of Panera Bread.
“This is an example [of] a part of the strategy that I’ve tried to bring formally to North Haven: focus in on a myriad of economic development concepts, whether they be manufacturers, in this case, retailers, restaurants...we look at the categories...in an effort to continue to offer a variety of different amenities to our citizens and our businesses,” said Freda.
Freda made a point of the opportunities for him and the town to “pick up the pieces” and fill vacated buildings upon which may have sat a bankrupted chain stores with new services. He brought up an example of Hartford HealthCare HealthCenter filling “40[,000] out of the 50,000 square feet” that was once the spot of a closed Sports Authority store on Universal Drive to satisfy “the emergence and the growing need for even more healthcare amenities.”
Including affordable housing developments as part of a development package, Freda referred to the construction of 225 apartment units at 445 Washington Avenue, of which 20% will be deemed “affordable.”
Among the challenges, Freda said, will be to continue finding new businesses to occupy still vacant buildings and empty lots, all while complying with state zoning regulations. He mentioned a handful of spots around town where he hopes to announce the opening of new retailers in the near future.
Freda concluded his speech with a metaphor for the town.
“I’d like you to envision North Haven as a lighthouse, a lighthouse that’s built on a strong structural foundation, but around that lighthouse, there are dark and turbulent waters that are always going to be crashing against that foundation,” he said. “For as long as I am in this position, I will be in that lighthouse, helping North Haven navigate through the stormy weather shining a bright and illuminating light through what sometimes can be, and don’t get discouraged, because I don’t, some dark and turbulent waters.”