The city has received $194,409 in federal stimulus funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for downtown revitalization efforts.
Mayor John M. Picard said the city plans to use the Community Development Block Grant funds, part of the government’s $10.1 billion Recovery Act program, to rehabilitate the exterior of the old Masonic Temple on Center Street for the future West Haven Cultural Arts Center.
The money will pay for various improvements to preserve the architectural integrity of the nearly century-old building, including a new roof and windows, the removal of an underground oil tank, as well as the re-pointing of the building’s chimney and other brickwork, said Ralph A. Paolillo, manager of the Community Development Administration, which oversees the city’s allotment of CDBG funds.
“This project will create construction jobs, will improve a key structure in our downtown, will support our long-range plan to develop the building as an arts center, and will foster economic development within the central business district,” Picard said.
The city also will use the money to restore the building’s columns and doors and to install security fencing and lighting.
According to HUD guidelines, the city, which received the grant award March 6, will have 120 days to bid the project and do the work.
Planning and Development Commissioner Eileen Buckheit, who supervises CDA, said she expects the project to start immediately.
The Masons of Annawon Lodge 115 sold the downtown building to the city in 2007 for $650,000, mostly financed with a $550,000 state grant. The 15,022-square-foot building was turned over to the city free of asbestos after abatement work that virtually gutted the building.
The exterior front portico of the two-story temple resembles the Greek period with ionic ornament capital columns with architrave and pediment details that continue as a cornice and fascia for the building.
Courtesy West Haven City Notes (March 16, 2009)
