Norwalk to get $6.2M for mansion refurbishment, YMCA expansion
NORWALK — More than $6 million is set to be approved Tuesday by the State Bond Commission for projects at Gallaher Mansion and the South Main Street YMCA facility.
Gov. Ned Lamont, Mayor Harry Rilling, state Sen. Majority Leader Bob Duff and other local officials spoke at the Gallaher Mansion on Monday about the funds.
A total of $6.2 million will be received by the city, with $5 million to go toward the Gallaher Mansion refurbishments and $1.2 million for the YMCA, according to a city statement.
The city took a twophased approach to restoring Gallaher Mansion, located in Cranbury Park.
As part of the first phase, the city invested $975,000 in already completed work, including a new roof and chimney restoration, according to the statement. The new roof, completed in 2015, set the mansion up for interior fixes.
Window flashing, to protect the house’s interior, was completed earlier this year.
Requests for the mansion’s $5 million in state bonding was split into seven line items and steps in the restoration process.
The most expensive of the steps is the $1.2 million new electrical system, according to the statement.
“The entire electrical system for the buildings needs to be updated, including a new main feed line, breaker panel and service lines throughout the building and outdoor patio” a presentation given to the Bond Commission read.
Another big-ticket request was $900,000 to repair currently nonfunctional second-floor plumbing, including the upstairs restrooms, according to the statement.
The city requested $800,000 for a complete trail renovation and mapping, with new exterior trails needed and extensive cleanup and clearing of the trails and its markings, the statement read. Two requests, both for
$750,000, will go toward a drainage study and subsequent drainage work and replacing the basement’s wood floor which was damaged due to the drainage concerns.
The city also requested $350,000 to construct exterior storage and $250,000 to restore the original stone and granite façade on the building’s exterior.
Built in 1930 by industrialist and inventor Edward Beach Gallaher, the mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is available to rent for events. It was purchased by the city in 1965.
“Cranbury Park is one of our many unique public spaces in Norwalk and Gallaher Mansion is its crowning jewel,” Rilling said. “This money will make transformative renovations to the mansion and park possible.”
The additional $1.2 million given to the city will go toward the planned construction on the YMCA facility at 98 South Main St.
The project, which has been in discussion for upward of three years, will cost between $6 million and $7 million, Norwalk YMCA Chief Executive Officer Bob McDowell said Monday.
The project will include construction on the building’s interior to add more space for organizations to provide services, including the Urban Community Action Network and the Norwalk Housing Authority, which will help run three classrooms of after school STEM programming, McDowell said.
Americares will also expand its footprint in the YMCA space and continue providing health care for about 3,500 uninsured people annually.
“It’s not your typical YMCA, it’s really the center of the community for education, health and wellness services in partnership with several other agencies,” McDowell said.
The rest of the funds from the project will be gathered through fundraising and the YMCA’s funds.
The YMCA construction is expected to be completed around late summer 2023, McDowell said.