Saud Anwar

EAST HARTORD DELEGATION WELCOMES $14.23 MILLION IN STATE BOND FUNDING FOR REDEVELOPMENT AND PLAYSCAPES

Today, the East Hartford delegation of lawmakers welcomed $14.23 million in state bond funding approved and released by the State Bond Commission supporting redevelopment efforts in two significant business areas of town, as well as for replacements of playscapes at local schools to provide new resources to schoolchildren.

“These funds will support important initiatives in East Hartford including important economic redevelopment and housing development, while also ensuring local children will have improved resources to learn and play,” said State Senator Saud Anwar (D-East Hartford). “I’m very encouraged by Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission’s investment in our town.”

“From support for housing initiatives to improving playgrounds for our kids and continuing to support economic development efforts, this funding is the result of a delegation that works together to secure state resources to support our priorities,” said Majority Leader Jason Rojas (D- East Hartford, Manchester). “I want to thank Governor Lamont and the state Bond Commission for prioritizing this important funding and look forward to seeing the outcome of the investment.

“These allocated funds promote new beginnings and invest in the future of East Hartford,” said State Representative Genga. “The Founders Plaza site has the potential to provide an economic boost to our city. Clearing the area is an important first step towards a revitalized East Hartford. Additionally, meaningful outdoor activity is just as crucial to the development of a child as a good education. The funding for playscape replacements will provide our children with a space to explore creatively and have fun. Thank you to Governor Lamont and the Bond Commission for their inclusion of East Hartford.”

“This funding invests in three important pillars of our community – economic redevelopment, housing and resources for children – so I appreciate the administration and the State Bond Commission’s approval and recognition,” said State Rep. Jeff Currey (D-East Hartford, Manchester). “This will help make East Hartford a better place to work, live, play and learn for all of its residents.”

“I’m glad that we can get this state funding out to East Hartford to support these projects that will aid in economic and job growth in the town and build more housing,” said Governor Ned Lamont, who serves as chairman of the State Bond Commission and sets its agenda.

Among the many projects with funding approved by the State Bond Commission today were several in East Hartford, including:

$6.5 million for the abatement and demolition of buildings on and adjacent to the Founders Plaza site on East River Drive in East Hartford, aiding economic redevelopment in the area; $6.98 million in previously allocated funds will now be committed to support the construction of new residential units on the former Showcase Cinema site, helping create new housing in the area; funds were previously allocated for redevelopment of the Rentschler Field and Silver Lane corridor in 2018; $750,000 for a grant-in-aid to the City of East Hartford for playscape replacements at East Hartford elementary schools.