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Is Connecticut’s Apartment Development The Right Strategy For Economic Growth?

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Is Connecticut’s Apartment Development The Right Strategy For Economic Growth?


By Kevin Mcnabola
Orange Board of Finance

Kevin McNabola

As you travel around Connecticut, you quickly notice the massive redevelopment and adaptive reuse opportunities taking place literally overnight within many of the state’s cities.

Many of these redevelopment projects include constructing massive market-rate apartment complexes which often include a 10 percent low-income affordable housing component.

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I was recently in New Britain and noticed that the city is converting an old manufacturing plant, which back in the 1960s built electric appliances, into a new 154-unit apartment building. The redevelopment, which includes 79 one-bedroom, 59 two-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom units, targets young middle-income professionals and fixed income seniors.

Recently we have seen similar developments in New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, East Hartford and Meriden targeting young professionals. Most of these developments are located within a transit oriented district, which includes a rail system and shopping centers for young professionals to commute easily to Stamford or New York while having the convenience of walking to the grocery store and restaurants.

The goal of transit-oriented development is to use transit centers to enhance economic development, job accessible housing, retail amenities and quality of life in many of Connecticut’s walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. Responsible growth is a strategy to accommodate future development in a way that reinforces existing communities, uses resources efficiently and protects the environment.

The real question is whether this housing plan is sustainable, particularly since now many of the recent expansions include apartment complexes outside of the transit-oriented districts. The massive, rapid expansion of market-rate apartments eventually comes with a price tag for cities and towns that house them.

What is the long-term plan for these apartment complexes? It might seem like a great plan today, since many young professionals like the apartment style living. But what happens when the young middle-income professionals move out and buy a new house in the suburbs? The reality of apartment-style complexes is that over time there is tremendous budgetary pressure put on city resources in the areas of education, police, fire, EMS, public utilities and social services when the young professionals migrate to the suburbs for the purchase of their first home and vacant apartments are then backfilled by transients.

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This same exact scenario played out in real time back in the 1980s in West Haven. The politicians in West Haven struck deals with developers and changed the zoning regulations so that developers could construct multiple apartment complexes and three-family homes throughout the center district, thus requiring huge increases in funding for city, sewer, water and education services.

Will Connecticut’s transit oriented district and apartment strategy pay off economically in the future and lead to vibrant communities? Or will the economics revert back to the basics in that the growing demand for more housing will be be met with a growing supply of housing – ultimately leading to growth in city services and city funding requiring additional taxes. In the end, time will tell which scenario actually plays out.

Kevin McNabola is the chief financial officer for the city of Meriden and a member of the Orange Board of Finance.



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Connecticut

HBO casting in CT for neighbor dispute docuseries

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HBO casting in CT for neighbor dispute docuseries


A hit HBO documentary series is looking to Connecticut for stories to feature in its second season.

The show “Neighbors” follows on-going neighbor disputes across the country. The goal of the show is to help neighbors reach a resolution, according to the show’s casting director and executive producer Harleigh Shaw.

“Each story we explore, we spend extensive time with neighbors on both sides to really understand the full context beyond the disputes,” Shaw said.

Producers wanted to share stories in the second season that were based in states that weren’t featured earlier this year in the first season, including Connecticut, Shaw said.

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“A lot of the things that we’re most interested in are things that may seem small, but become a bigger issue between the neighbors,” Shaw said. “Anything from disagreements over gardening practices to property lines to noise to dock issues, if it’s a waterfront property. A whole myriad of things. We’re really open to anything.”

However, the show does avoid situations that are violent or dangerous.

Residents from Connecticut looking to participate should be open to third party conflict resolution, according to Shaw.

“Some of the ways that we did that were through mediation,” Shaw said. “That’s a huge one. But there are other things in terms of resources we’d be open to help the neighbors to like help work through the issues.”

Filming will take place throughout the summer and is expected to be completed by the end of September.

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The show’s production team is located in New York City and Los Angeles.

“Connecticut has always been really interesting because it’s just a short trip away, and we’re just curious to explore the types of neighbor dynamics that are going on there,” Shaw said.

Connecticut residents who are interested in being on “Neighbors,” can apply at helloneighbortv.com and are encouraged to submit information about themselves as well as their neighbor dispute.

“The neighbor disputes are the entry point for this show, but we’re always also just very interested in inspiring amazing people doing cool stuff,” Shaw said.

“Neighbors” premiered in February and was quickly renewed. The show averages about 3 million viewers per episode.

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The show features stories that make viewers laugh and cringe, according to HBO Programming’s Executive Vice President Nina Rosenstein.

“At a time when even the smallest disagreements can spiral out of control, ‘Neighbors’ feels both hilariously absurd and surprisingly relatable,” Rosenstein said. “What makes the show special isn’t just the stories and people they find, but the empathy and humanity they bring to each episode.”





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‘Serious’ crash closes Sugar Hollow Road in Danbury

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‘Serious’ crash closes Sugar Hollow Road in Danbury


DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Danbury drivers can expect hours-long closures on Sugar Hollow Road early Monday morning after a “serious” crash, according to local police.

Police said the morning crash has caused closures in both directions at the Ridgefield Line (Bennetts Farm Road) and at Miry Brook Road.

The road is expected to close for approximately three to four hours, police said.

Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes, including George Washington Highway and Route 53.

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There are no words on injuries.

Additional information was not immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.


Download the News 8 app to get breaking news and weather alerts.

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Watch News 8 on WTNH.com or the free WTNH News 8 streaming app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung Smart TVs.



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Cyclosporiasis outbreak prompts food safety concerns in Connecticut

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Cyclosporiasis outbreak prompts food safety concerns in Connecticut


ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WFSB) – People like Dena Pizzoferrato are changing what they put in their grocery carts after hearing about a cyclosporiasis outbreak.

“I’m kind of a little nervous so I’m looking to see what I buy right now,” Pizzoferrato said. “Today I didn’t buy any lettuce. I said I’m OK for now.”

Doctors say the illness is spread through parasites that make their way onto fresh produce. There have been 23 reported cases in Connecticut since May, but the CDC says the number is likely higher. Across the country, more than 840 cases and 86 hospitalizations have been reported in 31 states.

Symptoms include diarrhea and nausea that can last days to weeks. Doctors have not identified a source for the outbreak.

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Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said a range of produce could be contaminated.

“Typical things you would think are vegetables or fruits. In the past, it’s been raspberries, basil, cilantro. You may find it in lettuces, bagged salads. So it’s a variety of things that can be contaminated, but they have not found it at this time,” said Wu.

Wu said residents should take precautions with their produce. “Take precautions with your fruit and your produce. We give the same advice when people go overseas that you should always peel something. You should always boil something,” he said.

Doctors also recommend washing produce thoroughly if boiling is not an option, and washing hands regularly.

Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.

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