A roughly 1,000-apartment development next to Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford is up for a $13.6 million infusion through the State Bond Commission’s agenda next Tuesday.
The end-of-year agenda is packed with support for economic development, arts, housing and other initiatives across the state.
The bond commission rarely denies a request once it hits the agenda.
That means Hartford can be reasonably certain of $13.6 million for a loan to help launch the second phase of the “North Crossing” (formerly Downtown North) project under Stamford-based developer Randy Salvatore.
Salvatore is redeveloping four empty lots next to Dunkin’ Donuts Park in phases. The first – a $50 million construction of a 330-space garage and 270 apartments – launched in Oct. 2020.
The state money will filter through the Capital Region Development Authority to help finance the next phase, a $52 million project resulting in a 541-space garage and 228 additional apartments.
According to the Bond Commission agenda, Salvatore will finance that effort with the state money, $33.2 million in “other financing” and $6 million in equity and developer fees.
The bond commission is packed with funding for other economic, housing and arts development, including:
·    $35 million to build a new rail station in the Thompsonville section of Enfield.  State Sen. John A. Kissel praised the development as a “game-changer.”
·    $25 million for brownfield grants and loans to help municipalities and developers clean up polluted industrial sites, preparing them for reuse.
·    $21 million to replenish funding for the Small Business Express Program. The 10-year-old program provides low-interest loans to small businesses for purchase of equipment, working capital, relocation costs, employee training and marketing.
·    $4 million to support minority businesses through the Small Business Express Program.
·    $11 million to allow the Capital Region Development Authority to provide loans to help fund conversion of half the downtown Hartford Hilton hotel into apartments, and refurbishment of the remaining hotel rooms.
·    $6 million for small projects and programs through the Economic Development and Manufacturing Assistance Grant.
·    $5 million to provide free technical and professional training to underemployed and unemployed individuals through the CareerConneCT program.
·    $4 million toward a private, $23.5 million construction of a mixed-income, 88-unit, apartment development on 11 acres off Deming Road in Berlin. Twenty-seven units will be classified affordable.
·    $3.5 million grant for Thomaston to restore the Thomaston Opera House.
·    $3.5 million to the Capital Region Development Authority to fund renovations of the Connecticut Convention Center and Rentschler Field, including installation of a chiller system, elevator upgrades and handicap accessible improvements
·    $3 million grant to help fund a $14.7 million expansion and remodel of Real Art Ways at 56 Arbor St. in Hartford. This will add four cinemas; educational spaces for classes and workshops; a theatrical space for performing arts events; renovated exhibition spaces, including a gallery for families; a cafe and gathering space; renovated outdoor spaces for performances and events; and rental space for events, studios and offices. The renovation is expected to begin in the fall of 2022 and be completed within two years.
·    $2 million for a grant to Middletown for repairs and upgrades to its RM Keating Historical Enterprise Park. According to minutes of the March 10, 2020 meeting of the Middletown Economic Development Committee, the business incubation park houses 21 tenants, but needed upgrades to roofs, paving, locks and other areas.
·    $1.5 million grant to assist Opera House Players Inc. in renovating a century-old church at 100 Main St. in Enfield into a performing arts theater.
·    $1 million for Windsor for the second phase of a complete street and road study and analysis for transit-oriented development.
·    $801,600 for Newington for a streetscape project.
·    $500,000 to help East Hartford with design costs for a redevelopment of the Silver Lane corridor.
