During Thursday night’s regular meeting of the Fair Haven Community Management Team (FHCMT), community members voiced strong opposition to Mayor Justin Elicker’s plan to demolish the English Station building on Ball Island and replace it with a public park and outdoor swimming pool.
Background on English Station
English Station is the tall, abandoned coal‑and‑oil plant that sits on Ball Island in the Mill River, between the industrial Mill River District and the majority‑Latino neighborhood of Fair Haven. The site is contaminated with carcinogenic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, and heavy metals, prompting decades‑long calls for a thorough clean‑up and thoughtful reuse.
Mayor’s Proposal
In the summer of 2025, Mayor Elicker announced a vision to tear down the building and create a park with a swimming pool. He has sought private donations to fund the project; the Roxanne and Henry Brandt Foundation said it would consider contributing up to $10 million if certain hurdles are cleared. This spring, the Board of Alders approved the city’s effort to acquire the privately owned land, including the use of eminent domain.
Community Response
Anstress Farwell, president of the New Haven Urban Design League, led a counter‑campaign that includes community walking tours to gather input on alternative uses. Farwell told the meeting, “We’re continuing to work on developing plans for alternative uses that feature what New Haveners really want for the site: job training, affordable housing, access to the waterfront.” She noted that the Board of Alders’ process was rushed and that it would cost $20 million more to demolish the building than to remediate it and keep the landmark standing.
FHCMT Co‑Chair Lee Cruz added, “We’ve been saying do something since the 1970s, but now the city wants to do it without our input; that’s an injustice.” Cruz called for a public analysis and a letter to the mayor and funders outlining the community’s position.
Ward 15 Alder Frank Redente, Jr. expressed safety concerns, saying, “The site is severely contaminated. What happens if we have a major weather event? So, no! The mayor can’t just do what he wants.” He praised Farwell’s leadership, stating, “I’m in awe of you.”
Next Steps for the Community
The FHCMT plans to draft a letter, subject to a full committee vote, to convey its stance to the mayor, the potential funder, and the aldermanic committee. Farwell’s group is consulting with Grimshaw Architects and intends to develop charrettes and models for broader public discussion.
The upcoming walking tour will be co‑led by representatives from Junta, a Latino arts and cultural organization on Grand Avenue, further emphasizing the community’s desire for inclusive input.
Related Development on Grand Avenue
Separately, Pennrose LLC, based in Philadelphia, is moving forward with the purchase of the historic Strong School near the Fair Haven Branch Library. Becca Schofield, Pennrose’s representative, announced that financing for 59 units of affordable housing is in place, with construction slated to begin after an expected closing by the end of October and an 18‑month schedule that would finish in spring 2028. The project will include only public community space, four parking spots, and a commitment to be a good neighbor during construction.
Fair Haven Library Renovation
The Fair Haven Branch Library’s community room, where the FHCMT meeting was held, recently reopened after flood damage. The renovation added new sky‑blue paint, a hard‑vinyl floor, upgraded HVAC, and two large‑screen monitors for future programming such as movie nights and dance classes. The $30‑40 000 project was funded through the library’s emergency repairs fund.
Community members left the meeting with a clear message: keep the historic English Station structure, clean it up, and involve residents in deciding its future. The FHCMT will continue to work with city officials to ensure that any decision reflects the wishes of Fair Haven’s families and preserves the neighborhood’s heritage.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
