LCI director stepping down

Neal-Sanjurjo to work part-time with Economic Development Corp.

NEW HAVEN — Serena Neal-Sanjurjo, who has worked on developments for 16 years in the city, most recently as the head of the Livable City Initiative, is resigning.

“It is a personal decision for me and it is breaking my heart,” Neal-Sanjurjo said, particularly as she leaves behind the large number of employees to whom she has grown close.

The agency is responsible for housing code inspections and neighborhood development with an emphasis on affordable units in public-private partnerships.

A native of the city, she had worked in city government for a decade going back to the administrations of mayors Biagio DiLieto, John Daniels and John DeStefano Jr., before leaving to work in land use departments in Baltimore, Md. and New Orleans for 18 years.

She returned in 2013 and took over LCI in 2014 with the Hill to Downtown project her first major undertaking that eventually saw the razing of the deteriorated Church Street South housing complex, the relocation of hundreds of it’s tenants and plans for a mixed use replacement that will keep 30 percent of the units affordable.

The Hill to Downtown plan is still driving development with investments by builder Randy Salvatore in 110 units on Gold Street/25 affordable; 50 affordable units in the former Welch Annex School; 90 units at 216 Congress Ave. and 104 on Lafayette Street that filled in what were asphalt covered parking lots for decades.

Neal-Sanjurjo, most recently, began investment in construction of two-family homes that featured homeownership and an income-producing rental. A group of these were built on Judith Terrace on the east side of the city with nine under construction at Thompson Street and Winchester Avenue in Newhallville.

There were also in-fill housing and commercial projects throughout the city and the new construction of 31 units at Antellian Manor.

The LCI director also played a major part in development of a long-term plan for affordable housing that has led to an Affordable Housing Commission, whose members were recently appointed.

Neal-Sanjurjo said she will be working part-time with the Economic Development Corp., helping to see Union Square — the replacement for Church Street South — come to fruition and the West River development get on a solid financial path.

Her third goal is to see a commercial laundry built on Bassett Street, which would ultimately be owned by the workers.

The director praised her employees as one of the best departments in the city. “I would put everything on them,” she said, giving the workers credit for successful projects.

She said three new housing inspectors have been added, bringing the total to 13 from seven when she started. Neal-Sanjurjo

said the new director will find LCI in good order.

“I am happy to be working with Serena again,” Ginny Kozlowski, the executive director of EDC, said.

The EDC is the city’s non-profit entity focused on business attraction, retention, and community investment.

Neal-Sanjurjo leaves LCI on Oct. 9.

“I am very proud of the work LCI has facilitated to implement tangible neighborhood development in some of New Haven’s most disinvested neighborhoods in my hometown,” Neal-Sanjurjo said in an earlier statement.

Mayor Justin Elicker and Economic Development Administrator Michael Piscitelli praised Neal-Sanjurjo for her efforts.

“Serena has been an incredible asset in the city,” said Elicker. “Her investment in expanding options for affordable housing has allowed many more residents to live stable and affordable lives in the City. I am grateful for her service and look forward to partnering with her in her next role at the Economic Development Corporation.”

“It has been an honor to work with Serena not only on actual projects, but also on the journey from planning to implementation,” said Piscitelli. “She has played a key role in defining our team’s culture and focus on the well-being of residents across the city’s neighborhoods.”

Kozlowski said Neal-Sanjurjo’s “extensive knowledge of the city, its neighborhoods, and its needs,” will be a major asset for the EDC. “Her responsibilities will include planning, guiding, and executing redevelopment projects currently underway, and identifying other possible redevelopment projects and partners for continued inclusive growth throughout New Haven.”