NEW HAVEN, Conn. — It's been nearly 17 years since the New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum was imploded on January 20, 2007.
On Wednesday, the final phase of the new use for the site is in motion, bringing a life sciences and tech office building to the city with more affordable housing.
The construction is filling a hole that has been around for years. After the coliseum building was imploded, it left a massive pile of rubble along with a large parking lot.
"New Haven is on the move and we’re a growing city and that’s really exciting," said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.
Now Gov. Ned Lamont and city officials have the designs for a new life science and tech office building, bringing science labs along with some affordable housing units all inside the 270,000 square foot building.
Elicker said the plans show a city that is evolving.
New building on site of New Haven Coliseum
"This is a city that is experiencing growth that leans into our housing crisis that creates many many, more units," said Elicker.
The other phases of the redevelopment project are already in construction, including an apartment building with even more affordable housing and a retail shops space.
Lamont is awarding a nearly $999,000 grant to help get the site ready for the final part of the construction, excited to show New Haven is creating around 750 jobs while advancing in bio science and affordability.
"We have vibrant growing cities where young people want to be and that’s what this is about right here," said Lamont. "We’re doing everything we can to make sure there’s housing and opportunity for everybody."
The groundbreaking on the final phase is expected to begin this summer but the apartments already underway in phase one are expected to have its first residents this summer as well.
Lindsey Kane is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at Lkane@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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