New London is a city on the rise. Over the past four years, our city has begun to reclaim its place as the leader in our region and to advance our influence and stature statewide. The metropolitan charm of our densely settled little city is bringing us a prosperity sparked by today’s popularity of the urban lifestyle. After decades of decline, New London is joining other cities across the state and nation in reclaiming the best part of our history and the glories the Whaling City once knew.

Four years ago, a new team took over in New London — focused on transformational change —solving problems with clear action plans, not vague slogans. In that time, finances have been stabilized with the fund balance (our rainy-day account) growing from a dangerously low $2 million to $12.8 million. The city’s revenues are consistently outpacing expenses and the grand list has grown by nearly $200 million. Annual property tax increases ended this year with a historic mill rate decrease of 8.5% or 3.7 mils.

Until four years ago, development and investment in our city were floundering. Today, New London measures up to its slogan, “Live, Work, Invest.” Promoting the city’s assets and raising its profile has generated a development pipeline currently worth over $750 million. Building permits, a core measure of investment, have seen a substantial increase from $19 million in 2015 to $35.5 million in 2019. This investment includes historic renovations in our downtown and our neighborhoods.

Housing is being developed across all sectors of our economically diverse community, including supportive housing in the renovated St. Mary School, income-restricted home ownership opportunities through ECHO, Habitat, HOPE, and luxury market-rate units at the long-vacant Parcel J and on Mansfield Road. Under new leadership, the Development Corporation is overcoming flood plain and environmental remediation issues in the Fort Trumbull district and the settlement of a lawsuit has cleared the way for housing development on grounds once occupied by the federal government’s Underwater Systems Center. Another 150 units of housing will break ground in 2020 at the corner of Howard and Hamilton streets.

Over the past four years, the city has made great strides addressing common urban quality of life challenges. New leadership in the police department has raised morale, improved working conditions, and boosted officer recruitment and retention. The establishment of a Human Services director, blight officer, and parking director has relieved the burden on law enforcement and established social strategies to manage and overcome previous disorder and incivility in our densely occupied city.

Our outdoor recreation facilities have been refurbished, including the historic Morgan Park (Veterans Field), Riverside Park, Greens Harbor, new basketball courts at Toby May and Bartlett Parks, and a new skateboard venue at Fulton Park. Miles of sidewalks have been replaced and new bike routes are being installed throughout the city to capitalize on the walkable, bikeable, and livable character of our city.

I have been honored to serve my city for three terms on City Council and as mayor for the past four years. This is an exciting time for New London and my team is seizing every opportunity for success. As the 21st Century ushers in a new era of urban migration, our city is recapturing its past glory while building a sustainable future for the generations that follow us.

I am seeking reelection to keep this city on its trajectory of success and to keep a committed team working for us. We have achieved much, but there is much left to accomplish. I am more bullish than ever about the future of the Whaling City.

Let’s keep our new momentum going.

New London Mayor Michael Passero, a Democrat, is seeking reelection.