Mae Flexer

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.