Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Guidance and Resources

These resources are guides for communities that are considering developing strategic plans as required under the Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) legislation (Connecticut General Statutes, Sections 7-600 through 7-607).

Under the Connecticut legislation which established NRZs, the state Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is charged with the responsibility of reviewing NRZ strategic plans. To ensure that the plans we receive are comprehensive and consistent with the intent of the legislation, we have designed this document to interpret the law in an easy-to-read manner and to describe the basic components which should be included in the strategic plan.

What are Neighborhood Revitalization Zones or NRZs?

In 1995, An Act Establishing a Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Process (P.A. 95-340) was passed by the Connecticut General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Rowland. This law -- the first of its kind in the nation -- established a collaborative process for communities to work with all levels of government to revitalize neighborhoods which have become substandard, unsafe and blighted. Amended in 1999(PA 99-35), the law now addresses how amendments to the strategic plan are done.

NRZs represent a new kind of partnership and cooperation between neighborhoods and municipal government to bring planning to the neighborhood level.

NRZ Online Resource

This NRZ Online Resource takes information from previous NRZ guides and many organizations that relate to topics that NRZs are interested in. It also includes the requirements for NRZs to organize and operate. Everything is in a bite-sized format with easy navigation, with printouts available.

Community Organizing Handbook:  A Guide for NRZ Members and Leaders

NRZ Resource Directory for Rebuilding Communities 

Hartford NRZ Compliance Checklist

Contact: opm.nrzprogram@ct.gov