New Haven Demolishes 9 Structures; Former Arms Maker Site

A New Chapter for the Winchester Repeating Arms Company Complex

The City of New Haven is taking a significant step forward in its efforts to revitalize the former Winchester Repeating Arms Company complex. The final plot of land within this historic site is now set to be demolished, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the community.

On Monday, city officials, along with state and development representatives, gathered to officially launch the demolition, abatement, and remediation process for the last nine remaining factory buildings located at the Science Park on Winchester Avenue and Munson Street. This initiative represents the culmination of a 45-year journey to address environmental concerns and transform the area into a thriving hub for innovation and development.

The nearly three-acre site has remained unused since 1987, contributing to blight and disrepair in the surrounding neighborhood. However, the recent efforts by the Science Park Development Corporation (SPDC) have begun to change that narrative. Since acquiring the property in 2019, over 65% of the former factory complex has been rehabilitated into offices, biotech labs, educational facilities, and apartments.

Jake Pine, managing director with LMXD, explained that the original plan was to preserve Tract A. However, after conducting an environmental study, it became clear that preserving the building was no longer feasible. "When the environmental testing came back, we realized there’s so much oil soaked into the concrete structure that we would not be able to preserve the building," Pine said.

With Tract A deemed unsuitable for immediate development, the focus shifted to Tract D, where the team created Winchester Green and Winchester Lofts. This project included the construction of 283 residential units, with 20% designated as affordable housing, along with 12,500 square feet of retail space. This development provided temporary housing while funds were secured for the demolition and abatement of the eastern courtyard.

The developers have also committed to significant future investments. According to David Silverstone, president of the Science Park Redevelopment Corporation, they will provide no less than 100 units of housing, with 20% being affordable, or at least 100,000 square feet of lab bioscience space within the next six years.

Pine noted that while there is no set design plan for Tract A, which is the last tract being demolished, the site is likely to see more biospace and apartments. "Innovative, life-science, biotech space is something that’s important, it brings jobs to the area so I do think it will be market dependent. It’s also a massive site, it’s over two acres, so I also think there’s an opportunity to do residential and biotech commercial type space."

Community members have welcomed the changes. Alder Troy Streater expressed relief at seeing the abandoned building come down. "I’m just glad it’s coming down. Anything is an improvement from what’s there," he said.

Hans Van Dyck, who lives in the Winchester Lofts, hopes that the developers will add a grocery store and other businesses to Tract A. "I noticed that there’s a Japanese village coming in on the corner here, that has everyone really excited but we need retail, we need business, and we need more people," he said.

The demolition, abatement, and remediation work is supported by $10.8 million in funding from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. The project is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete, signaling a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Science Park area.