Dear Friends,

New Proposals for Downtown Chapel Street

I am pleased to report that the City received an unprecedented number of proposals to develop the former Shartenberg department store site at 745 Chapel Street. Nine firms submitted bids for the 1.5 acre parcel. The City’s review committee is evaluating the proposals and anticipates making a decision in October. The strong interest showcases our Downtown’s continued resurgence. Downtown has become a vibrant commercial and residential area. There are over 6,000 businesses with over 80,000 workers, and 6,936 people reside in the immediate central area.

Newly Renovated Schools to Open in Fall

Our $1.2 billion Citywide School Construction Program continues to roll out new educational facilities for our city’s children. This fall, the students of Welch Annex and Prince schools are moving into a beautiful new school, the John C. Daniels School, at 569 Congress Ave. The new school offers a modern library-media center, specialized art rooms and science labs, an amphitheater and multicolored playscapes with reading areas outside. Meanwhile, Barnard School students will return to a renovated school at 170 Derby Ave. The students will return to an expanded school that includes extensive renovation, a pedestrian bridge connecting the students and staff to a new nature center in West River Memorial Park, and a massive solar installation on the roof. Workers also are putting the finishing touches on the newly restored Parish Hall at 174 Kimberly Ave. The restored hall will serve as both a new gathering space for the community and as extra performance space for the adjoining Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School. To date, our Citywide School Construction Program has completed 22 schools and is the largest per capita program of its kind in the nation.

Jazz Fest concludes, Pilot Pen Begins

I enjoyed welcoming thousands to the Green on Saturday night for the concluding concert of the 25th anniversary of the New Haven jazz fest and ushering in the start of the Pilot Pen alongside defending champs James Blake and Lindsay Davenport. The jazz festival has stood the test of time as the nation’s largest and longest running outdoor music celebration, demonstrating the power of our City to serve as the cultural epicenter of the State. Many thanks to Barbara Lamb and her staff for a fitting birthday tribute. Across town, the Pilot Pen is now underway, a combined men's and women's summer tournament leading into the US Open. New Haven is awash in the biggest names in tennis. Last year’s tourney drew 100,000 spectators and was televised nationally on 20 hours of ESPN2 and CBS Sports. For information on the tourney or tickets, call the Pilot Pen Tennis office at (203) 776-7331 or (888) 99-PILOT.

Now let’s take a look at the Week Ahead:

Greater New Haven Development Roundtable

Wed., Aug. 16, 8:30-9:30am

Bob Baranowski will demonstrate the features of Wealth Engine, a donor

cultivation tool used by many larger nonprofits to research and keep track

of individual donors. Please come prepared to suggest future discussion

topics for the Roundtable. And, as always, bring your event announcements

and business cards.

Location: New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St. (Use Temple St. entrance)

Branding: Discovering your Organizational Identity

Wed., Aug. 23, 4:30-6--, presented by Quinnipiac intern Joseph Cirillo. During this free workshop Cirillo will work live with a local entrepreneur to demonstrate

step-by-step the process of defining an organizational

brand. Co-sponsored by Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Business

Assistance Center and Empower New Haven. Park free after 4pm at the Yale

Temple St. lot across from the library. Register for both online at www.guidezilla.com/nhfpl

Bike to Work Day!

Join area bicycle commuters for the next Bike to Work Day, August 25, 2006, from 7:30-9 a.m. on the New Haven Green (by the stage). Free breakfast, bike giveaways, and a chance to talk with other cyclists about the best ways to get around New Haven by bike. Sponsored by Elm City Cycling. For more information, contact mlichtenfels@gmail.com or call 675-8517.

Thanks for reading my Monday Message. I hope you have a happy and healthy week.

Very truly yours,

John DeStefano, Jr.

[8/21/2006]