Flexer, Johnson and Orange Announce State Investment to Expand Housing Opportunities in Willimantic

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Webmaster

Flexer, Johnson and Orange Announce State Investment to Expand Housing Opportunities in Willimantic

Connecticut loan will allow for the creation of about 20 rental housing units

From Left: Jim Rivers, Windham Town Manager; Barbara McGrath of the Northeastern Connecticut Development Corporation, Inc. (NCCDC); Department of Housing Commissioner Evonne Klein; Representative Susan Johnson; Jeff Beadle of NCCDC; Senator Mae Flexer

Senator Mae Flexer, Representative Susan Johnson, and Representative Linda Orange announced today that the State Bond Commission has approved an investment that will help grow Willimantic’s housing stock. The funds will be provided as a loan to Murray on Main, LLC or another eligible applicant, to be used for the redevelopment of 699 Main Street in Willimantic, locally known as the Hurley Building. The new property will contain 20 units of rental housing, including seventeen affordable housing units.

“Revitalizing downtown Willimantic means taking these older properties and transforming them into attractive, useable buildings that will draw people to our community,” said Senator Flexer (D-Danielson). “This loan will help ensure that Willimantic residents have safe access to affordable housing opportunities. This project is a critical part of the transformation downtown Willimantic is undergoing. Because business owners, local officials and our state delegation have worked hand in hand, the future of Willimantic is bright. I’m thrilled we were able to help make this happen.”

“The Murray Building is a Willimantic landmark, and this project marks the next chapter in its long history as a cornerstone of our community,” Representative Johnson (D-Windham) said. “The renovations will help revitalize the downtown area and bring more customers to our small businesses. I hope that we can place a particular focus on promoting this as an affordable housing option to veterans.”

“A major component of a vibrant and thriving downtown Willimantic is the ease of residents’ access to area businesses and services,” said Representative Orange (D-Colchester, Lebanon, Windham, Mansfield). “This investment in affordable housing will provide excellent returns in the way of increased economic activity and a more robust community. I look forward to seeing this project take shape.”

The historic property on 699 Main Street, officially known as the Murray Building but locally known as the Hurley Building, has been seen as a critical piece of downtown Willimantic for some time now. Following its redevelopment, the building will hold ground retail space in Willimantic’s walkable downtown, as well as the 20 new apartments created with the help of the $2,045,945 loan approved today.

The Murray Building was built by Hugh Clark Murray to house his “Boston Store” in 1894. Later, the building was the longtime home of Hurley’s’ Men’s Shop.

Senator Winfield E-News: Earned Family Medical Leave Passes First Legislative Hurdle

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Webmaster

Senator Duff E-News: Earned Family Medical Leave; Fighting for Net Neutrality; Free Tax Prep and Filing

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Webmaster

Legislators Praise Approval of Crumbling Foundations Remediation Funds, Expansion of Testing Program

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Webmaster

Legislators Praise Approval of Crumbling Foundations Remediation Funds, Expansion of Testing Program

Formation of captive insurance company proceeding

State Rep. Jeff Currey (D-East Hartford/Manchester/South Windsor), State Sen. Tim Larson (D-East Hartford), and State Sen. Steve Cassano (D- Manchester) praised the Bond Commission’s approval today of the first installment of funding to assist homeowners with crumbling concrete foundations.

The commission approved $350,000 to provide the initial capital required under state law to license the captive insurance company, Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company, LLC, that will distribute remediation funds.

Additionally, the commission approved a measure expanding eligibility for a previously approved $5 million in funding for foundations testing. Approved in February of 2017, the funding was previously only available to households within 20 miles of J.J. Mottes Concrete Company in Stafford Springs. The change allows the Department of Housing Commissioner to approve reimbursements for households outside of the originally approved radius.

“This initial funding will allow us to formally launch the captive insurance company so they can establish eligibility requirements and begin helping homeowners with remediation. Expanding the foundations testing program is another key component in our ongoing efforts to assist all Connecticut residents dealing with crumbling concrete foundations,” Rep. Currey said. “I recognize that for the homeowners struggling with this devastating issue, nothing can move fast enough. We are making progress, and I am deeply committed to seeing through the implementation of the legislation we passed last year.”

“We’ve come a long way since first learning about the crumbling foundations issue several years ago. As chairman of the Public Safety and Security, I was able to work with residents, town managers, banks, insurance companies and others to develop legislation to help mitigate the financial impact for these homeowners,” Sen. Larson said. “I am pleased to see our plan reach the next phase with the approval of this funding and the expansion of the reimbursement program.”

“The private-sector construction, banking and insurance industries have yet to help affected homeowners, so now the state has stepped in to solve the problem. That’s what we do,” Sen. Cassano said. “We must have this new insurance agency up and running soon to start processing claims, and homeowners should start seeing some relief this year. I’m glad the Bond Commission took action today to get the ball rolling in the right direction for thousands of homeowners in north central Connecticut.”

The creation of the independent, not-for-profit captive insurance company was authorized through language included in the state budget passed in October. The company will be in charge of administering the Crumbling Foundations Assistance Fund, including developing eligibility requirements for the distribution of remediation funds and approving contractors for foundation repair and replacement.

New Haven Legislators Applaud Approval of $1M Urban Development Funding for ‘r kids

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Webmaster

New Haven Legislators Applaud Approval of $1M Urban Development Funding for ‘r kids

Local child placing agency to create additional visitation, childcare, and programming space for New Haven families

NEW HAVEN— Members of the New Haven state delegation today applauded the Bond
Commission’s approval of a $1 million grant-in-aide to create a dedicated visitation space, additional childcare and programming space for the children and families at the ’r kids Family Center in New Haven.

The ’r kids Family Center provides specialized, high quality services to children in out-of-home care and their families; promoting permanency, safety and stability for children through services to their biological, foster or adoptive families. The center is a licensed child placing agency through the state of Connecticut Department of Children and Families and is credentialed through Applied Behavioral Health for a variety of child welfare related services.

“Families are the foundation of our community. The ‘r kids Family Center helps promote a strong, healthy New Haven by keeping families together and children in safe, stable homes” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “I appreciate the Bond Commission’s approval of this critical funding that will benefit so many children and families.”

“For over 20 years, the ‘r kids Family Center has worked to successfully place hundreds of children in safe homes, reunite families, and provide essential services like parent training, youth homework groups, and domestic violence and substance abuse workshops to the New Haven community,” said Sen. Gary Winfield (D-New Haven). “This funding will only enhance those efforts by providing children and families with a chance to gather in a quality, safe space as they navigate through the foster and adoptive processes and other services provided at the center.”

“To help break the cycle of poverty and urban trauma our children face, it is critical that we continue to invest in programs that support and advance the health and mental well-being of our youth,” Rep. Robyn Porter (D-New Haven) said. “Programs like r’kids Family Center help our children to reach their full potential by providing them with undergirding and stability when they need it most. This is why this funding is so vital. It will allow r’kids Family Center to continue their mission of supporting and strengthening our village, and that brings me great joy.”

“The $1 million in bonding for the ‘r kids Family Center will help our children in a big way,” said Rep. Toni Walker (D-New Haven). “The Family Agency is one of the most outstanding family agencies in the Greater New Haven area.”

“Through this funding, the r’kids Family Center will be to further help our city’s vulnerable children. Providing our youth with a safe and stable learning environment during times of transition is essential to their sustained success,” said Rep. Al Paolillo (D-New Haven). “Thank you to the New Haven legislative delegation for advocating for this funding and recognizing the importance of investing in our future generation.”

“I am happy that ‘r Kids Family Center’s work is being recognized and supported,” said Rep. Pat Dillon (D-New Haven). “‘r Kids was born in New Haven and is dedicated to our children and families.”

“The services provided by the family center are not available anywhere else,” Rep. Juan Candelaria said. “This grant is essential to the center’s ongoing work in New Haven, with assistance to children and families who are our most vulnerable. I applaud the Commission for approving these funds and my New Haven legislative colleagues for their work in supporting the family center.”

New Haven Legislators Applaud Approval of $1M Urban Development Funding for ‘r kids

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Webmaster

New Haven Legislators Applaud Approval of $1M Urban Development Funding for ‘r kids

Local child placing agency to create additional visitation, childcare, and programming space for New Haven families

Duff: Norwalk Project Wins Funding for Glover Ave. Infrastructure and Safety Upgrades

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Webmaster

Duff: Norwalk Project Wins Funding for Glover Ave. Infrastructure & Safety Upgrades

Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) today announced that the State Bond Commission has approved $ 7 million in funding for infrastructure upgrades and safety improvements for the Glover Ave/Main Avenue intersection. This area of Norwalk is home to a diverse collection of businesses including, Diageo, Factset Research Systems, Datto, Frontier Communications, and General Electric.

“This investment will greatly improve public safety,” said Senator Duff. “With its proximity to Route 7, the Merritt Parkway and a stop on the Danbury Branch line, this project will help foster transit oriented development, economic development and job creation in this vital corridor.”

“This is great news. The Glover Avenue project is adjacent to the majority of Norwalk’s Class A Office space and a key to the economic future of Norwalk and the State of Connecticut. This investment illustrates the ongoing cooperation between our city and the State of Connecticut to improve our local infrastructure and to bring necessary development to our community,” said Mayor Harry Rilling. “I want to thank Senator Duff and the Governor for pursuing this funding and getting the job done.”

The City of Norwalk has included a line of $1 million in its capital budget over the next four years, anticipating a $4 million total investment on the City’s behalf.

Month: February 2018