Work on the Cheshire Ball & Socket Arts complex will kick into high gear with the recent allocation of several state and federal grants.
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes visited the former factory site on West Main Street this week to announce $625,000 for a sprinkler system upgrade in Building 1, which, at 45,000 square feet, is the largest space on the multi-building parcel.
Installing a new sprinkler system will allow BASA officials to move quickly in developing numerous parts of the complex simultaneously, instead of working on one area at a time.
Building 1 has remained mostly undeveloped since the restoration project began, but once the sprinkler system is installed and work begins, it will feature an open art gallery and performance center, a visitors center, and museums, along with retail space and a food court.
Hayes selected the BASA sprinkler system through her community project funding initiative.
“She liked our mission and what we were doing, so she approached us last year and then we applied,” BASA Founder and President Ilona Somogyi said. “It’s really so helpful to get the entire building protected from fire and start developing it piece by piece.”
Along with the main art gallery space in Building 1, the retail and “income-generating” spaces within the complex will be renovated first, followed by the nonprofit, educational and community events spaces in later phases of the project.
Sweet Claude’s Ice Cream shop opened on the main floor of Building 2 in summer of 2022, and spaces on the second floor are nearly complete.
Cheshire also applied for and was awarded a $925,000 grant through the state Department of Economic and Community Development brownfields program for roof work.
BASA had to raise equal funds in order to get the DECD grant money, and members collected more than the required match through private donations, providing almost $2 million for new roofing.
A Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant of $350,000 will build sidewalks along Willow Street.
Work is currently underway on a parking area in the back of the building that will connect the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail to the BASA complex and West Main Street.
Other buildings in the back of the site will soon be home to a taproom/bar, and a multi-bay garage will be used as open-air vending space for farmers markets.
The ongoing renovation of the former button factory site has been a group effort, led by the nonprofit Ball & Socket Arts with the help of local officials, and is seen as a major driver of economic development to the entire West Main Street corridor.
The entire site contains 65,000 square feet of developable space, set on 3 acres.
Town officials are working to create a special development district to capture more businesses in that area.
