East Hartford Redevelopment Agency Completes Homes and Plans More

Transforming formerly town-owned property into a residential neighborhood, Burnside Hope delivered 10 new homes for first-time buyers through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut, according to easthartfordct.

The completed 2025 project features energy-efficient construction designed to support affordable homeownership along Burnside Avenue. It forms part of ongoing municipal efforts to spur investment and remove blight across key commercial and residential corridors in East Hartford.

Further down the road at 794–850 Silver Lane, a major redevelopment effort is currently in progress. The Town acquired the 22-acre Silver Lane Plaza site in 2023 utilizing $4.5 million in State-funded acquisition to address environmental conditions and position the property for new investment.

Negotiations are actively underway after the Town signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Grossman Development Group to bring a forward-facing proposal to the corridor. A $100,000 brownfields grant award is supporting the remediation of environmental conditions associated with the plaza’s former dry cleaner.

Commercial districts are seeing simultaneous upgrades through targeted municipal loans and gateway projects. The Redevelopment Agency backed the expansion and renovation of Chuck’s Automotive at 653 Burnside Avenue with a $100,000 forgivable loan, facilitating facility expansions and a fresh façade along Burnside Avenue.

Near Main Street, the 20 Burnside Avenue commercial site has brought new retail and restaurant activity as part of the Main Street Business District Redevelopment Plan. Meanwhile, Gateway Square at Main Street and Connecticut Boulevard has revitalized a prominent town gateway with a medical and professional office building at 893 Main Street, a Walgreens at 20 Connecticut Boulevard, and an M&T Bank at 957 Main Street.

Worth a look