Marilyn Moore

Sen. Moore Celebrates Approval of $16M State Funding for Bridgeport and Trumbull Projects

Celebrating the approval of funding for local projects after the State Bond Commission meeting at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Right photo (L-R) Senator Marilyn Moor and Barnum Museum Executive Director Kathy Mahe. Left photo (L-R) Discovery Museum Executive Director Bill Finch, Sen. Moore, and Discovery Museum Board Chairman Tom Vos. (July 25, 2018)

HARTFORD— Senate Chair of the Finance Committee’s Bonding Subcommittee Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) today applauded the approval of more than $16.6 million in state bond funding for several projects in Bridgeport and Trumbull.

“As Senate Chair of the Bond Commission, I am proud to secure funding for these excellent projects in my district and across the state.” Sen. Moore said. “Thanks to this funding, our local museums, schools, and senior housing facilities can now move forward with making much-needed improvements so that residents of Bridgeport and Trumbull may continue to enjoy their services for many more years.”

Bridgeport

• $6,900,100 grant-in-aid to the Barnum Museum to assist with design and construction of infrastructure repairs and improvements, ongoing building stabilization and site improvements.
• $1,854,000 grant-in-aid to the Discovery Museum to assist with renovations including upgrades to the planetarium, improvements to exhibit, classroom and theater spaces, HVAC and energy conservation improvements, elevator upgrades and replacement of the roof on the Wonder Workshop building.

The Barnum Museum and the Discovery Museum and Planetarium can now go forward with long-awaited renovations and improvements. Sen. Moore and Bridgeport delegation members submitted a request for the funds in April. These projects will result in 55 construction and other temporary jobs at the Barnum Museum while retaining 50 full and part-time positions at the Discovery Museum.

The Barnum Museum’s executive director, Kathy Maher, credited Bridgeport’s legislators for their unflagging advocacy. “This grant is a testament to our delegation’s efforts, and the unyielding work they’ve done in support of the Barnum Museum. We are truly grateful.”

CT State Historian, Walter Woodward responded, “This investment solidly advances the bold and spectacular vision of a Barnum Museum that will be a “must see” tourist attraction and an economic engine for all of downtown Bridgeport. It is the needed catalyst for the kind of future Barnum himself would have created for the city and state he loved above all others.”

• $850,000 grant-in-aid to assist Achievement First Bridgeport Academy with capital improvements and repayment of debt.
• 850,000 grant-in-aid to assist Capital Prep Harbor with window, HVAC/electrical replacement
• $775,592 grant-in-aid for improvements to Barnum, Batalla, Geraldine Johnson and Waltersville schools, which are Commissioner’s Network Schools. Projects will include alterations, repairs, improvements, technology and equipment to help address building and site deficiencies, and to promote the health, safety, and learning of the students.
• 175,869 grant-in-aid to assist The Bridge Academy with exterior improvements and oil tank removal

Trumbull

• $5,286,139 grant-in-aid to the Housing Authority of the Town of Trumbull to assist with improvements to the Stern Village elderly rental development.

Stern Village Stern Village has 186 units for residents 62 and older, and also for disabled residents 18 and older.