Governor’s Pet Projects Line Up For State Funds
Hartford Development Among Agenda Items
HARTFORD — In the waning months of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s final term, the Democratic leader is trying to shore up public funds for an array of pet projects.
The State Bond Commission will meet Thursday to weigh subsidies for dozens of initiatives, including the first leg of a massive redevelopment effort north of Hartford’s downtown. Amid uncertainty about the next governor’s priorities, money for the project — and others — is on the fast track.
The city of Hartford has yet to sign a contract with would-be Downtown North developer Randy Salvatore, and the Capital Region Development Authority, the agency administering state funds for the project, has
not approved the plans.
Hartford and CRDA leaders say the money would only be released once approvals are in place and financing for the deal closes.
Hartford could certainly score big at the bond commission meeting, but the group will consider funding for a bevy of projects statewide. That includes $200 million for new school construction projects and $217,597 for a playground and splash pad at DeGale Field in New Haven.
Typically, once an item appears on the agenda, it is likely to pass because Malloy has secured behind-the-scenes support. Significant opposition is rare. In July, the commission voted 6-3 with one abstention to approve a controversial toll study for Connecticut highways.
Here are the highlights, by the numbers, of the funding that is being weighed by the bond commission.
Hartford Bonanza
Malloy, early in his first term, emerged as an ardent supporter of development in the capital city. Thursday’s bond commission agenda demonstrates that, with $53 million set aside for CRDA efforts in Hartford.
There is $16 million for a parking garage near the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, the first step toward redeveloping a sea of parking lots in the area. The commission will consider funding for three projects just north of downtown: $12 million for a loan to build a grocery store; $12 million for a loan to help build 200 apartments behind the Red Lion Hotel, the first phase of Downtown North; and $4 million to create a loan fund to renovate a block of historic buildings near Dunkin’ Donuts Park.
CRDA also would administer an $8.6 million loan to Spinnaker Real Estate Partners of Norwalk to develop apartments on the long desolate corner of Park and Main streets. The intersection is considered a southern gateway to downtown.
Beyond CRDA, there are other morsels for Hartford. They include $5 million to replace sidewalks, plant trees and support traffic calming measures across the city; $1 million for improvements to a track and field lighting at Hartford Public High School; $509,000 for upgraded traffic signal systems; and $3 million for improvements at The Bushnell.
Riverfront Improvements
Malloy is also making a last-minute push for upgrades to the picturesque riverfront in Hartford and East Hartford. The Riverwalk, a series of connected trails in parks along the Connecticut River, would be extended with the help of a $1 million subsidy from the bond commission.
The paved and lighted walkway runs for about two miles on the Hartford side of the river, from the Charter Oak Bridge to Riverside Park and the boathouse. The wider project to extend the path would take it two miles north, past the landfill parallel to I-91and through to the edge of Windsor Meadows State Park. The bond commission funds would cover a portion of that extension, and allow organizers to begin work on a cove that is planned along the riverfront, where patrons could rent kayaks and canoes.
The commission is also weighing a $2.3 million contribution to the town of East Hartford, which would pay for improvements to a boat ramp and fishing pier at Great River Park, as well as the renovation of the Bulkeley Bridge overlook and stairs leading to the Founders Bridge — all part of the town’s riverfront area.
Brownfield Cleanup
The governor, long a champion of brownfield remediation, is seeking another round of funding for the effort. The bond commission will consider $10 million in grants and loans for additional cleanups across the state.
The state Department of Economic and Community Development will sort out which sites take priority. Funds will be awarded to eligible applicants for the remediation of contaminated areas with the aim of bringing them back to productive use. In Hartford, officials are in talks with a California company to transform three properties along Homestead Avenue into a hydroponic farming facility. The parcels were once a brownfield site that was cleaned up with the help of state funds.
Connecticut Innovations
The bond commission will consider $50.8 million for CTNext, a division of the state’s lead investment arm, Connecticut Innovations. Among the programs run by the initiative is the Hartford InsurTech Hub, which boosted the growth of 10 new technology startups. Each of those companies developed next-generation insurance products, like cybersecurity for smart homes and automated water systems that prevent leaks and floods in apartment buildings. At least three of the startups were planning permanent moves to Hartford.
Slew of Municipal Projects
Malloy has requested tens of millions from the bond commission for a string of projects in Connecticut towns. The money would cover everything from a $10 million effort to renovate the historic Odd Fellows Hall in Waterbury to a $100,000 subsidy for improvements to handball courts in Manchester.
A $3.5 million allocation for the next phase of the Harbor Brook Flood Control Project in Meriden, $575,000 for upgrades to little league fields in New Haven, and $217,000 to construct a playground and splash pad at DeGale Field in the city are also in the mix.