New Britain Legacies to Host Community Engagement Table During New Britain Celebration

This past weekend, during the Celebration of New Britain event, residents, families, youth, elders, and community members gathered in downtown New Britain to participate in the first public community engagement activation connected to the MLK Corridor Initiative.

Hosted by New Britain Legacies in partnership with Led By Us and Associates, the activation served as the beginning of a resident-centered listening and planning process focused on the future of neighborhoods connected throughout the Martin Luther King Jr. Corridor.

Throughout the day, community members interacted directly with neighborhood maps, shared concerns and ideas, identified areas of need, and participated in conversations focused on housing, youth opportunities, workforce development, safety, small business growth, wellness, education, and long-term community stability.

One of the most meaningful moments from the engagement was watching residents point directly to streets, blocks, and areas they personally know and care about. Families, youth, longtime residents, and local stakeholders all contributed perspectives about what they believe is needed most throughout the community.

The engagement reinforced an important principle behind the MLK Corridor Initiative:

meaningful planning must begin by listening to the people who live within the community every day.

The MLK Corridor Initiative is being developed as a resident-informed planning effort focused on creating long-term opportunities and transformation throughout key areas of New Britain connected to the Martin Luther King Jr. Corridor. This planning process is supported through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Urban Act funding program and led by Connecticut MLK Legacies Corporation.

Additional neighborhood-based engagement sessions, focus groups, and community conversations are expected to continue throughout the coming months as the initiative expands outreach across different areas of the city.

New Britain Legacies would like to thank every resident, volunteer, supporter, community partner, and participant who stopped by during the Celebration of New Britain and contributed their voice to the process.