About WVRA
The Westville Village Renaissance Alliance (WVRA) is a New Haven, CT-based non-profit organization and a designated Connecticut Main Street organization. WVRA's mission is is to partner with local businesses, property owners, residents and public and private institutions to foster and sustain economic development, community engagement and cultural vitality in Westville Village and the surrounding neighborhoods, while emphasizing historic preservation and placemaking.
WVRA's programs focus on:
- Economic Development
- Historic Preservation
- Community Building Events
- Traffic Calming, Walkability, Transit, and Bikeability
- Cleanliness and Safety
Westville Village is a designated Connecticut Main Street program. For more information from the CT Main Street Center, click here.
Support WVRA!
Westville needs a strong, committed membership to stand with us in our mission to create a vibrant and livable community. Our continued success depends largely on you - people and institutions who embrace a strong future without losing sight of the past. Help keep our programs FREE and open to all! Annual ArtWalk Festival, Spring and Fall Music, Film and Literary Events, and Historic Walking Tours.
You can volunteer your time, your talents and give your financial support by becoming a member of WVRA!
Click here for membership information.
History
Originally founded in 1996 to support the Westville ArtWalk, the area's largest annual community event, WVRA has become the main advocacy organization for Westville. WVRA advocates on behalf of Westville's commerical and residential districts, representing their needs and interests to the City of New Haven, the State of Connecticut, and many other stakeholders who partner in community development, historic preservation, arts programming, and community based economic revitalization.
Board of Directors
Our volunteer Board of Directors includes local residents, business owners, government officials, and institutional and corporate representatives who have a vested interest in the social and commericial success of Westville Village and its surrounding neighborhoods:
Gabriel DaSilva - Board President; Owner, The Frame Shop & Westville Gallery; Resident
Helen Rosenberg - Board Vice-President; City of New Haven, Office of Economic Development; Resident
Linda Colman - Board Treasurer; Owner, Colman Bookkeeping; Resident
Lisa Brandes - Membership Committee Chair; Yale Graduate School of Arts & Sciences; Resident
Eric Epstein - Placemaking & Design Committee Chair; Property Owner
Paulette Brooks - Owner, Authentic Salon & Spa and Simonae Boutique; Property Owner; Resident
Peter Gremse - Owner, Delaney's Grille & Tap Room
Ronald Herron - Board Governance Committee Chair; Vice President for Student & University Affairs, Southern CT State University
Kathleen Krolak - Economic Development Committee Chair; New Haven Economic Development Corporation; Resident
