Upgrades to Arch Street Basketball Court Advocated

The city Department of Public Works has responded to a petition by three City Council members seeking improvements to an Arch Street park.

The Democratic Council leader, Ald. Francisco Santiago (D-5), joined the Third Ward Council delegation, Ald. Iris Sanchez (D-3) and Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3), in advocating for improvements to the Stephen T. Carey Arch Street neighborhood basketball court.

In an April 14, 2021 Council petition, the three Council Democrats pressed, “for the appropriate department(s) to upgrade the Stephen T. Carey Arch Street Neighborhood Basketball Court by improving equipment, posting signs that restrict smoking and enhancing the overall quality of the park.”

The Park, which provides a recreation location in one of the lowest income areas of the city, is dedicated in honor Stephen T. Carey, who was a longtime resident and activist in the Arch Street neighborhood.

City Public Works Director Mark Moriarty, is reporting back to the Council, at its meeting tonight, May 12, 2021, saying,

In response to this petition Public Works performed a site evaluation of this park and
the basketball court specifically. The pavement at the basketball court is significantly
cracked and the basketball hoops themselves are in only fair condition. Addressing
these issues is estimated to cost in excess of $10,000, and there isn’t any funding
currently available for this work.

The City’s Parks and Recreation Department is charged with developing projects for
capital improvements in the City’s parks, and Public Works will work with Parks and
Recreation to determine if upgrades at this park can be included in the City’s Capital
Improvement Plan.

The city Capital Improvement Plan is part of the city budget. The Council is presently reviewing that budget.

“In the mean time,” Moriarty reported in response to the Council petition, “Public Works will install signage in this park that addresses smoking and drinking.”

A City Council petition is a procedure in New Britain by which an individual member or more than one member of the Council is empowered to require consideration of action from or a report by a city department or commission. Council members frequently use this process to formally propose that the city take action on a particular item of concern.