Demolition debris, Parcel M, near Oak Street Connector and Church Street bridge, Church Street project area, New Haven

Title supplied by cataloger. Dated March 1960. One of a collection of photographs taken by the New Haven Redevelopment Agency to document a massive urban planning and development project undertaken from 1956 through the mid-1970s. The federally-financed redevelopment initiative was realized through a series of projects focused on particular New Haven city neighborhoods identified by street or area names. These projects involved the demolition of old structures and construction of new buildings, roadways and other facilities. Much of the Church Street project area had been characterized by a mix of small stores, restaurants, theaters and residences. As part of redevelopment, whole blocks were demolished to make way for larger modern structures such as department stores, hotels, office buildings, a mall and the New Haven Coliseum. The Oak Street (Route 34) Connector is also known as the Richard C. Lee Connector. Lee was mayor of New Haven during the redevelopment period, and a driving force behind the effort. The Downtown Shopping Triangle was near the junction of Congress and Meadow Streets, which are shown in a 1950 city directory map as intersecting with George and Church Streets.