NEW HAVEN TO TAKE STEPS TOWARD PURCHASING Q-HOUSE

(6/1/2009) NEW HAVEN- The Board of Aldermen will receive communication this evening regarding the City’s request for an Order authorizing the City to purchase the property located at 197 and 229 Dixwell Avenue owned by the Dixwell Community House, Inc. (“The Dixwell Q House”). Currently, ownership of the entire property located at 195, 197 and 229 Dixwell Avenue is divided between the City of New Haven, and the Q House. The Q House filed for bankruptcy in 2006 and its assets, including the property at 197 and 229 Dixwell Avenue, are under the jurisdiction and control of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut.

The City will be requesting the Board’s approval to use Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) funds in the amount of $225,000 to purchase the Q-House. The purchase price for the Q House property is the value determined by an appraiser engaged by the City.

Failure to purchase this property at this time puts the City at risk of entering into a less than desirable co-ownership relationship with a buyer or being forced to sell the City’s portion for less than its market value, under an order from the Court.

This property holds historical significance in the City, which must be considered in a plan for its reuse/development. For this reason, the City has worked closely with the Concerned Citizens for Greater New Haven Dixwell Community Center, a group of Dixwell neighborhood residents and former Q House members, to plan the future, sustainable use of the property. The City has agreed to give the Concerned Citizens six months to present a sustainable plan for the financing, development and operation of the property as a beneficial use for the neighborhood and the City. If the Concerned Citizens are unable to present such a plan within the 6 months, the City will consider alternate beneficial uses for the site.

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Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660