Whalley Avenue Revitalization Program

The City Plan Department works closely with the Whalley Avenue Special Services District and other city departments to revitalize this distinctive retail boulevard.  With its pedestrian-friendly storefronts and wide, tree-lined sidewalks, Whalley Avenue is a shopping destination.   Moreover, Whalley Avenue is a destination for new development.  In recent years, Jerrry Green’s Gospel Music Shop, Stella’s European Bakery, By Your Side Homemaker / Companion Services, Subway, CVS and Dunkin Donuts have opened new stores.  In addition, Walgreen’s has proposed a major renovation of its store at the corner of Whalley Avenue and Ella T. Grasso Boulevard.  Still, there are several vacant and/or underused sites along Whalley Avenue.  If developed appropriately, these sites will make positive contributions to the revitalization program.

Proposed Whalley Avenue Overlay District.  The Whalley Avenue Special Services District, the Whalley / Beaver Hills Management Team, Alderperson Babz Rawls-Ivy and Alderperson Elizabeth McCormack have sponsored a new zoning amendment, which if approved, would establish an overlay district affecting properties within the Business A district on Whalley Avenue between Ella T. Grasso Boulevard and Sherman Avenue.  Of note, the overlay zone sets higher design standards for new construction and renovation projects.  
Click here to read the proposed ordinance.  For more information on the proposed overlay district, contact Michael Piscitelli at (203) 946-7814.

Small Business Initiative.  The Small Business Initiative provides unique resources including low costs loans and technical assistance, by leveraging the financial services community, private institutions and the local construction industry to provide opportunities that would otherwise not be made available to small business enterprises. For more information, contact Brenda Burton-Seldon at (203) 946-7093.

Façade Improvement Program.  Whalley Avenue merchants and property owners are eligible to participate in the Economic Development Department’s Façade Improvement Program.  For more information contact, Baron Poitier, Program Coordinator at (203) 946-7859.