Seven projects in New Haven and Hamden — including a “resilience academy” proposed to replace a planned Newhallville methadone clinic — will soon receive roughly $12.5 million in state-borrowed aid, thanks to a series of bonding approvals in Hartford on Thursday.
The State Bond Commission approved funding for those projects during its its first in-person meeting since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic more than two years ago.
State Principal Budget Specialist Brian Tassinari confirmed via email that the bond commission approved every item on Thursday’s agenda.
That means that the following state funding has been OK’d for the following local projects:
• $4.3 million for the construction of a new Station 2 Fire House on Putnam Avenue in Hamden.
The Humphrey Fire House, also known as Station 2, is more than 100 years old. According to fire Chief Gary Merwede, its elderly architecture means its size is incompatible with more modern and larger fire engines. If all goes according to plan, the station will be entirely replaced with a new building on Putnam Avenue, which will be used to store equipment and engines, as well as feature a training facility and community meeting space.
• $2 million for the Clifford Beers Resilience Academy of New Haven to create the state’s “first trauma informed community wellness and education center focused on youth and families.” Clifford Beers Clinic and the Rev. Boise Kimber recently announced that they have teamed up to set up such a “resilience academy” at the former school building at 794 Dixwell Ave. The APT Foundation currently owns that site, and had planned on converting it into healthcare offices and a methadone clinic. APT’s CEO has expressed openness to selling the building to the resilience academy backers. See here and here for more on this project.
• $2 million for the Montessori School on Edgewood for the renovation of 1377 Ella T. Grasso Blvd. to expand pre-school offerings.
• $1,351,025 for upgrades to the Keefe Center in Hamden, including repairs to the building’s windows, roof, HVAC, gym, and front lobby.
• $1.335 million for improvements to the parking lot, building and pool in accordance with ADA requirements at the Farnam Neighborhood Center.
• $1 million for flooding mediation along Route 122, along Forest Road.
• $500,000 for renovations and improvements to the New Haven Animal Shelter including new HVAC, entry way and walkway improvements, and interior fixes.
In a Tuesday email press release that touted the Farnam, Montessori School, and animal shelter projects — but that does not mention the Newhallville “Reslience Academy” — New Haven State Sen. and State Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney said, “I would like to thank the State Bond Commission and Governor Lamont for approving these projects for New Haven. This state bonding will help us put more kids in early childhood classrooms, bring much-needed improvements to a community center, and provide an overhaul to our animal shelter that is in need of repair.”
Fellow New Haven State Sen. Gary Winfield agreed. “New Haven’s children, community members, and animal community will all benefit from this round of state support. Thanks to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for this infusion of state funding.”