Meriden Mayor Opposes Meriden Housing Authority Project

Despite Meriden Mayor Manny Santos’ strong opposition, the Meriden Housing Authority voted unanimously Wednesday night to move forward with acquiring 16 properties that are needed for two development projects, the Meriden Record Journal reports.

The MHA will attempt to negotiate purchase agreements with the 16 property owners, but isn’t ruling out the use of eminent domain either, the paper reports. The properties, which are all single-family houses, could cost the MHA $2.2 million to acquire.

Santos told the MHA Wednesday night that the only thing that the public opposes more than affordable housing is the use of eminent domain to take someone’s property, the Record Journal reports. He also said the development is neither wanted or needed.

Other residents complained about the mixed-income housing on the city’s west side.

The properties are needed for two developments. The first includes the redevelopment and full renovation of the 163-unit Yale Acres housing development along with a community center, and then the creation of a 50-unit West Main Street housing development, reporter Dan Brechlin has written. That project includes a 400-seat theater.

Read of all the details for the proposed developments in the full Meriden Record Journal story.