Neighborhood Revitalization

Public Act 95-340, as amended by Public Act 99-35, established a process for the development of Neighborhood Revitalization Zones (NRZs). The objective of the NRZ process is to revitalize neighborhoods through the collaborative involvement of residents, businesses, and government to determine the vision and priorities of the individual neighborhoods.

In Bridgeport, this concept was the development of four major new school development projects and the projection, growth and anticipated developmental needs in those areas. The NRZ process provides a mechanism for local stakeholders in these neighborhoods, along with local municipal officials, to develop a strategic plan to revitalize their neighborhoods. Municipality participation in this process initiates with a resolution of their legislative body.

What is the NRZ Statute?

In 1995, An Act Establishing a Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Process (P.A. 95-340) was passed by the Connecticut General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Rowland. This law established a collaborative process for communities to work with all levels of government to revitalize neighborhoods which have become substandard, unsafe and blighted.

What is the NRZ Planning Process

1. The local legislative body must pass a resolution establishing Neighborhood Revitalization Zones in their municipality. The resolution should assign municipal staff to assist the designated neighborhoods and establish a process for determining the boundaries of NRZs.
   
2. Any neighborhood having a significant amount of deteriorated property that has determined it boundaries by following the process established by the municipal resolution will be considered a NRZ but will not be entitled to benefits until it has developed an approved plan using the following steps. OPM should be notified of the establishment of a NRZ.
3. The NRZ forms a Planning Committee to develop a strategic plan.
4. Membership of the committee must reflect the neighborhood.
5. The Planning Committee must develop, adopt, and publish bylaws in the local newspaper.
6. The Planning Committee develops a strategic plan.
7. The Planning Committee must hold a public hearing on the draft strategic plan. Public notice of the hearing must be given and the draft plan must be submitted to OPM for review.
8. The plan, as modified following the public hearing, must be approved by city ordinance. The ordinance should create an ongoing NRZ committee with responsibility for continuing the work of the Planning Committee.
9. The continuing NRZ committee must submit a report six months after the city approves the plan and annually thereafter, which monitors the progress of implementation and updates the strategic plan. The reports should be sent to the city’s chief executive and legislative body, and OPM.