The construction of a new library branch is on track for a $5 million state grant that represents the final piece of financing needed to break ground on a $22 million project that was delayed while heavy water damage was repaired at the library’s main downtown branch.
The $5 million grant for the branch Hartford’s North End from the Community Investment Fund was approved by the fund’s board, one of 32 projects statewide totaling —$60.7 million. The program — which seeks to foster economic development in traditionally underserved communities — approves grants on a competitive basis and are all but assured to be backed by the State Bond Commission.
The grants approved Tuesday ranged from $5 million for the Community Health Center, Inc. in Waterbury and $2.5 million for the revitalization of the historic Lower Broadway area of Norwich to $8 million for Hamden to help pay for foundation repair in the Newhall neighborhood and $5.5 million to address flooding concerns near Ferry Creek in Stratford.
The new branch of the Hartford Public Library on Barbour Street is expected to encompass 15,000 square feet, replacing one in a nearby storefront that is less than 2,000 square feet. The new structure would be built on city-owned property at 234 Barbour St., the site of a former supermarket.
The library is envisioned as an economic, educational and cultural anchor for the community. The new branch is expected to include a children’s room and teen lounge; computer area and technology lab; dedicated “makerspace” programming area; and a “nextgen” adult learning center.
In addition, plans call for a large room for community meetings and cultural events; a dedicated food pantry that will allow for an expansion of the twice-monthly food distribution in partnership with Connecticut Foodshare; and an enclosed courtyard for outdoor events that is hoped to foster collaboration with KNOX, Inc, a nonprofit aimed at preserving green space and the Mount Moriah Community Garden, located next door.
A groundbreaking date is expected to be announced later this year, according to library officials.
Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, a Hartford Democrat who co-chairs the CIF board, said what’s planned for the branch recognizes the changing nature of libraries.
“Libraries are so different now,” Ritter said, in an interview after Tuesday’s meeting. “It’s where people get services, take classes. It’s a safe place for kids to go after school and in the summertime when school is out. It’s a cool place to go on a hot day.”
Ritter said, “And the library does a good job, I think, of thinking about programming beyond just checking out books,” Ritter said.
In a statement, Bridget E. Quinn, president and chief executive of the Hartford Public Library, said: “This funding, along with the funds already raised for the project, ensures the Barbour Library will be a dynamic community learning and cultural destination for the entire community.”
The main branch, at 500 Main St. downtown, reopened last November, after being closed for two years as damage from a water pipe, which ruptured after hours, was repaired. Those repairs pushed back to construction on the Barbour Street branch. Barbour Street also was delayed because of “unanticipated soil conditions” on the site where the branch would be built
Ritter said the library project also dovetails well with $6.5 million also approved for a nearby housing development planned at Barbour and Westland streets. The Mutual Housing Association of Greater Hartford plans 65 affordable rental units, 8,700 square feet of commercial space, including a daycare and community-serving retail.
“The whole point of the Community Investment Fund when we started it back in 2021 was to make investments in some of lowest income neighborhoods in the state of Connecticut,” Ritter said. “But it was also to get community buy-in. It was to have local residents and local politicians support projects.”
The Barbour Street projects, Ritter said, are a good example. Those projects started at the community level and then financial backing was sought from the state, Ritter said.
The projects approved Tuesday also include:
–A Broken Umbrella Theatre, New Haven., $250,000: The planning grant will support ABUT’s plans to renovate 280 Blake Street into The Umbrella—a flexible, state-of-the-art visual and performing arts venue.
–Adelbrook, Inc., Manchester $1,000,000: The grant will support the expansion of Manchester Academy that serves students with autism, intellectual, and developmental disabilities.
–American Mural Project, Winchester $ 250,000: This CIF planning grant supports AMP’s effort to revitalize and expand its historic mill property.
–Boys & Girls Club of Meriden, Meriden $ 250,000: The planning grant will support the next phase of its Building Brighter Futures initiative, to modernize its facility, expand childcare and youth programming, and improve health and safety conditions.
–Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford $2,000,000: The planned, $12 million project includes renovating Connecticut’s first synagogue at 21 Charter Oak Avenue.
–Children’s Learning Centers, Stamford $ 350,000: The. funding will assist in the pre-development of a relocated Head Start facility at 60 Palmers Hill Road.
–City of New Britain, New Britain $7,500,000: The city, in partnership with New Britain Housing Authority, and Mount Pleasant Community Partners LLC, will utilize CIF funding for Phase I of the Mount Pleasant Redevelopment project.
–City of New Haven, New Haven $6,750,000: CIF capital funds will help finance the rehabilitation of the Goffe Street Armory.
–City of New London, New London $ 250,000: The planning grant will assist the city in the planning and design of a new public park along Atlantic Street.
–City of New London, New London $ 375,000: CIF grant funds will help finance the redevelopment of a vacant 20,000 square foot, one-story structure into a vibrant three-story mixed-use facility in the downtown area.
–City of Norwalk Norwalk $2,500,000: The city will use the grant to support a roadway redesign along Lexington Avenue where a new bus route is planned.
–City of Norwalk Norwalk $1,000,000: The funds CIF will assist the city with a historic restoration and streetscape upgrade along Washington Street in South Norwalk’s historic district.
–City of Norwich, Norwich $2,500,000: The funds will help finance a plan to reduce blight and create downtown, transit-oriented, affordable housing in the center of downtown Norwich.
–City of Torrington $1,000,000: The city is partnering with New Opportunities Inc. on the CT Food 4 Thought ExpansionProject to expand hydroponic food production, create new living-wage jobs, and strengthen food security across Northwest Connecticut.
–Community Health Center, Inc., Waterbury $5,000,000: With CIF funding, CHCI will renovate and expand its facility including construction of fully ADA-compliant exam rooms, ensuring long-term access to high-quality, integrated care for Waterbury’s most at-risk residents.
–Community Renewal Team, Hartford $ 250,000: The planning grant will support the pre-development phase of a mixed-use, affordable housing project at 485 and 515 Windsor Street in Hartford.
–Creative Arts Workshop, New Haven $ 250,000: The planning grant will fund the creation of a master plan for an upgrade of its facility in New Haven’s Audubon Arts District.
–CT Renaissance, Waterbury $1,050,000: The funding will help the provider of services to individuals navigating mental illness, substance use, and the challenges of reintegration after incarceration to purchase the facility at 70 Central Avenue in Waterbury.
–Destiny Partners, Hartford $ 250,000: The planning grant will allow the nonprofit to study the creation of a financial literacy training and resource center for low- to moderate-income residents.
–EIR Boxing, New Haven $ 250,000: The planning grant will help The Elephant in the Room Boxing Club (EIR) with planning for the purchase and renovation of a New Haven building that will serve as its boxing gym, headquarters, and community hub.
–Eli’s Garden of Healing, Hamden $ 250,000: The planning grant will help in a project to transform a parcel in Hamden’s DeNicola Park, formerly a Winchester machine gun test site, into an accessible forest garden dedicated to survivors of violence.
–Friends Center for Children, New Haven $ 250,000: The planning funds will finance a study assessing the feasibility and plan for constructing housing units to be provided to educators working for the Center in lieu of salary.
–KidsPlay Children’s Museum, Torrington $ 250,000 The goal of the planning grant is to develop a comprehensive plan that supports KidsPlay’s future growth and business development.
–RF Youth Boxing, Stamford $ 250,000. The planning grant will finance architectural and engineering assessments to determine the feasibility of constructing additional space on the property.
–Southwest Community Health Center, Bridgeport $ 900,000: The funding will assist in the build out of a full-service site on the second floor of the new Wakeman Clubhouse on Madison Avenue.
–Town of Hamden, $8,000,000: The town will use the funding to establish the Newhall Foundations Fund, a comprehensive foundation repair and community stabilization program addressing ongoing foundation issues affecting approximately 102 properties in the Newhall neighborhood.
–Town of Stratford $5,500,000: The funds will be used to alleviate flooding at the intersection of Ferry Boulevard and Broad Street where flooding often occurs.
–Town of Wethersfield $ 250,000: The planning grant will help finance the town’s plans to develop 60% construction documents for Phase 1 of the William J. Pitkin Community Center expansion.
–Town of Windsor $ 250,000: The planning grant will help finance a predevelopment feasibility study to explore creating 40–100 units of senior and disabled affordable housing on a 4.47-acre town-owned site.
–Town of Windsor Locks, $ 250,000: The planning funds will help finance a study of a broad vision to promote healthy living and community engagement in Windsor Locks including turf fields and a track.
Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.