The General Assembly, during the final hours of the 2023 session, passed an omnibus bill that includes a $7.5 billion two-year bond package containing funding for dozens of capital projects, including improvements to state buildings and economic development.
The package contains up to $17 million for renovations to the Connecticut Convention Center and Rentschler Field, and $15 million for upgrades to the XL Center, including acquisition of abutting real estate.
Among the other projects are:
- Alterations, renovations and restoration to the state Capitol, including interior and exterior restoration and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, not exceeding $35 million;
- Infrastructure repairs and improvements, including fire, safety and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, to state-owned buildings and grounds, including energy-conservation and off-site improvements, and preservation of unoccupied buildings and grounds, including office development, acquisition, renovations for additional parking and security improvements at state-occupied buildings, not exceeding $30 million;
- Purchase of electric vehicles and the construction and installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at state facilities, not exceeding $35 million;
- Alterations, renovations and new construction at state parks and other recreation facilities, including Americans with Disabilities Act improvements, not exceeding $30 million;
- Environmental clean-up of the property of the Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority in Hartford and preparation of property for development, not exceeding $50 million;
- Deferred maintenance, code compliance and infrastructure Improvements for the University of Connecticut Health Center not exceeding $30 million;
- Deferred maintenance, code compliance and infrastructure improvements at all community colleges not exceeding $54 million;
- Deferred maintenance, code compliance and infrastructure improvements at all state universities not exceeding $40 million;
- Up to $35 million for the Department of Economic and Community Development’s Brownfield Remediation and Revitalization program;
- Up to $5 million for the Capital Region Development Authority to renovate parking garages in Hartford;
- For CRDA grants-in-aid for the purpose of encouraging development, not exceeding $25 million;
- Grants-in-aid for the development of an advanced manufacturing facility in Hartford, not exceeding $15 million;
- Grant-in-aid to East Hartford for the purposes of general economic development activities, including the development of the infrastructure and improvements to the riverfront; the creation of housing units through rehabilitation and new construction; the demolition or redevelopment of vacant buildings; and redevelopment, not exceeding $10 million.
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