Greenwich Point Conservancy Awarded Grant For Chimes Building

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Point Conservancy (GPC) recently announced that it has received a $400,000 State of Connecticut Urban Action Grant to help with the restoration of the historic Chimes Building at Greenwich Point.

The GPC has raised $750,000 for the $1.2 million project. The Emily Catherine Fedorko Foundation (ECFF) has pledged $150,000, and the recent grant money will complete the funding.

State Rep. Stephen Meskers (D-150) helped with the grant process.

"I am thrilled to have played my part to help secure the funding for this project, which will benefit all of us. I am honored to assist the Greenwich Point Conservancy in their outstanding service to our community," Meskers said in a news release.

Pending town approvals, restoration work on the building is scheduled to begin in October and expected to take a year to complete. The Tods built the building in 1896 as a stable and carriage house, and in 1901, they added a 50-foot bell tower containing a set of hemispherical bells played by an automatic drum in the tower clock.

The GPC is undertaking the restoration of the building in coordination with the town.

The ECFF will assist with the restoration of the musical chimes instrument and bells, which will be known as "Emily's Chimes." Emily, 16, was killed in a boating accident Just off Greenwich in 2014. The foundation will also help with the creation of a water safety center in the base of the tower which will help spread education, advocacy and awareness on boating and water sports safety.

The project will also include refurbishing the entire building to keep it consistent with its history and architecture. There will be a redesigning and enlarging of a watersports recreation area for a sailing program, new ADA compliant restrooms, a relocated and improved dockmaster’s office and new lockers for boaters at Greenwich Point.

The restored facilities will be named in honor of Greenwich Point Conservancy founding board member, the late Daniel J. Donahue.

"The Chimes Building is one of the most beautiful and unique historic structures on the Connecticut coastline. We are extremely grateful for this grant, and that the Chimes Building will soon become a renewed community resource at Greenwich Point," said GPC President Chris Franco in a news release.