New London ― City officials stood on stage at the Garde Arts Center on Wednesday night to discuss their efforts in revitalizing the city after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The public forum called “Dare to Believe” invited people to see the city’s progress in economic development.

Mayor Michael Passero gave an optimistic speech about how far the city has come and is now finally turning a corner because of an influx of private investment.

“Private developers are investing here because they realized they can get a return on their investment,” Passero said. “That wasn’t the case for many, many years as investment in our city was sluggish or nonexistent.”

He stated investment has come to the city in all sectors― housing, small business, historic renovations, commercial properties and infrastructure.

Passero said the city got to this point because its fiscal health has improved. He said the grand list is up, the bond rating has improved and the tax rate has continually declined in recent years.

Passero said this is good for residents and businesses as properties have more value than before and the city is able to invest in itself, improving parks, streets and fulfilling the city’s long-time desire for a community center. He added the city still faces challenges as the region’s social service hub and confronting the owners of undeveloped, blighted buildings.

“We are committed to ensuring that our growing prosperity does not leave anyone behind,” he said.

Gov. Ned Lamont and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, made guest appearances in the form of videos stating their support for the city at the state and federal levels.

Selia Mosquera-Bruno, commissioner for the state Department of Housing, said the governor has tasked DOH to undertake an aggressive agenda in the next four years and create 64,000 units of quality and affordable housing across the state. She added the state would continue financing programs for renters and homeowners.

Mosquera-Bruno promised the city would have her agency’s continued support in resources and technical assistance.

Felix Reyes, director of the city’s office of development and planning, said the concept for “Dare to Believe” came from the idea that residents can get tunnel vision and not see the positive things happening in the city.

Reyes showed a video of residents and a former resident who were interviewed and asked what their relationship with the city was.

Wanda Negron, a former resident, in the video said she thinks the city lacks a lot of things for youth but knows the community center is coming, which she said the city has needed for a long time.

“To be honest, I think New London is happening for some people but it’s not happening for everyone,” she said.

Reyes said economic development in “New London has had false starts and there’s been disappointment in past generations. Those days are over with it unfolding in real time.”

j.vazquez@theday.com