ConnCAT Place on Dixwell

We're devoping a  state of the art mixed-use retail, residential, and cultural hub  in Dixwell’s Historically-Black Community Center, rooted in restorative economic development.

ConnCAT Place at Dixwell  will include a diverse cross-section of uses to deliver a vibrant, high-quality, compelling, and sustainable mixed-use environment which will not only transform Dixwell Plaza but will serve to catalyze transformation throughout the entire Dixwell Avenue corridor and adjacent neighborhoods.   

Our investment of $163 million on the development of ConnCAT Place will create immediate economic impacts due to the construction activity as well as long-term benefits from the ongoing economic activity that will be possible due to this project.

The economic impact from the four-year construction period is estimated to include: $232 million in additional output for the State of Connecticut; $188 million for New Haven County; and $84 million for the City of New Haven. Construction and related activity will generate and sustain 420 jobs across the state; 345 for New Haven County; and 131 in the City of New Haven. Labor income associated with the construction activity is estimated to be $129 million in Connecticut; $98 million in New Haven County; and $39 million in the City of New Haven. 

The full economic impact includes three types of economic activity: direct, indirect, and induced. The direct impacts are the “first tier” of activity directly associated with the project. Indirect impacts include “business to business” purchases that drive additional economic activity up the supply chain. Induced effects estimate the additional economic activity spurred by the increased labor income. 

• Total output of $82 million within the City of New Haven. This includes the direct effect of $52 million, reflecting the estimated portion of the construction costs that are expected to be used to purchase goods and services within the City of New Haven, as well as $9 million in indirect and $23 million in induced impacts within the City.
• Total increase in labor income of $39 million for New Haven residents. This figure includes $28 million in direct labor income from construction estimated to stay within the City, as well as $3 million in indirect effects and $8 million in induced effects.
• Construction activity will generate and sustain an average of 131 jobs for New Haven residents over the four years. This includes an average of 86 direct jobs each year, 12 indirect jobs, and 34 induced jobs. The 131 average jobs per year also equates to 526 “job-years” when counted as individual jobs each year.

Dearest New Haven,  

Our  Vision at ConnCAT is “To create a learning environment that inspires hope, innovation, creativity, and excellence while providing a path for individuals to revitalize the landscape of New Haven communities." 

Deeply embedded within that ConnCAT vision statement is economic empowerment and that begins with a focus on jobs. And that’s been our focus for nearly 10 years. And doing all of this within beautiful spaces that inspires hope and invigorates the soul. Those who have received training from us or who have visited our Center at 4 Science Park, or our Orchid Café or our Petals Market know this to be true. Creating beautiful spaces has become synonymous to who we are at ConnCAT. But we are most proud of the reputation we have developed for how we treat the people we serve. Treating folks with dignity and respect, no matter their life circumstance is one of our core values at ConnCAT.

With this ConnCAT Place on Dixwell project we are creating a transformative space to be the engine to drive sustained economic growth and vitality for this neighborhood. We wanted to revitalize and give new hope to a site that has been neglected for decades. We wanted to provide this community with those services and amenities that all communities are entitled to enjoy. Over the course of the past 3 ½ years that we have worked on this project I have been moved and touched by many things that folks living in the Dixwell neighborhood have said to us. Our kids are entitled to have an ice cream parlor to go to. And you are entitled to have a local coffee shop to go to.

And that’s what this development is all about – Putting forth a new transformative and re-imagined future for one of New Haven’s most historic, highly vibrant streets-Dixwell Avenue. Once called “New Haven’s Black Main Street,” it was a street lined with restaurants and jazz clubs that hosted some of the greatest names in music. This is not a housing development project. It is a much broader and bolder vision of what’s possible for this neighborhood.

We are looking to create, a new home for our ConnCAT programs as well as a beautiful and culturally vibrant space that this community deserves. ConnCAT Place on Dixwell is not a housing development project. It is so much more.

ConnCAT Place on Dixwell is such an exciting and transformative project for anyone who loves New Haven.

Thank you, 

Carlton Highsmith 

ConnCORP Board Chair