Volume 22, Number 52
Thursday, February 27, 2020
www.berlincitizen.com
SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT
Housing authority presses for funding assistance By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
"We've been working on this a very long time and I know we're trying our best and The Town Council approved have tried to move this forthe drafting of an applicaward as fast as possible and tion for a $1.5 million grant unfortunately we've had to subsidize the construction many issues in our way and of 50 age-restricted affordfinally perhaps seeing a way able housing units on Perci- forward," said Mayor Mark val Avenue. Kaczynski. The funding comes from the The project would demolish Department of Housing’s the former site of the Community Development Knights of Columbus buildBlock Grant and plays a key ing, adjacent to Percival part in making possible a Field, and replace it with two project that has been buildings with 50 units beplagued by setbacks since it tween them. The current was approved by the Plancost estimates put the entire ning & Zoning Commission project at around $18 milin 2015. Those roadblocks lion, of which $5 million included the discovery of a would remain unaccounted conservation easement on a for should the CDBG grant corner of the land and a and other identified funding state-level shift towards sources be received. funding affordable housing aimed at families rather than The block grant, also known as the Small Cities Program, the elderly.
directs federal funding to projects that renovate or rehabilitate housing for low-and moderate-income persons in municipalities smaller than 50,000 residents, according to the state DOH website. In 2019, the program awarded $13 million to 13 municipalities to improve low income housing by making ADA improvements, roof replacements, fire alarm system upgrades or adding staff to shelter diversion programs.
The grant is awarded via a competitive process, meaning the town might receive less than $1.5 million or nothing at all. Moreover, the criteria for applications listed on the DOH website specify that one of the ineligible activities is the “New construction of permanent residential structures.” See Housing, A12
Southington-based developer Mark Lovley, holding scissors at center, cuts the ribbon for the renaming ceremony of Newport Center @ Farmington Ave., formerly Depot Crossing. Devin Leith-Yessian, The Citizen
Introducing Newport Center @ Farmington Ave. By Devin Leith-Yessian The Citizen
Depot Crossing is no more, having been renamed Newport Center @ Farmington Avenue after a local development firm purchased it last month with the intention of completing the long unfinished commercial space. “We see a great opportunity with that beautiful commercial space on the first level,” said Anthony Valenti, of Newington, who is co-principal of Newport Realty alongside Southington developer Mark Lovley. According to town records, the real estate firm purchased the property in January for $1,250,000.
The Berlin Housing Authority is searching for funding for a plan to demolish the former Knights of Columbus building at 143 Percival Ave. Devin Leith-Yessian, The Citizen
Newport Realty has also been working with the
town to develop three vacant town-owned parcels across Farmington Avenue into five mixed-use buildings with 8,400 square feet of retail space, 10,800 square feet for an office or medical area and 76 market rate apartments. Valenti said the acquisition shows that Newport Realty is willing to put skin in the game and intends to be in Berlin for the long haul. “We’re excited to make Newport Center our first entrance into the market formally and show our town partners, and just residents, that we’re committed to Berlin. We’ve spent hard money and real money on purchasing Newport Center — so we’re in town,” he said. See Development, A9