West Hartford Affordable Housing Project Gets Million-Dollar Gift

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A West Hartford project aimed at transforming an old hotel site into affordable housing will receive a key state investment, state officials said Monday.

According to Gov. Ned Lamont's office, a $998,000 grant to investigate and remediate the 0.67-acre property located at 900 Farmington Ave., which currently houses a vacant restaurant and underutilized inn, was awarded.

Following remediation, the property will be redeveloped by WHI Camelot, LLC, as a 44-unit affordable, mixed-income, multifamily residential complex.

It was part of Lamont's announcement of approximately $24.6 million in state funding to local communities to help with the costs associated with assessing and remediating 41 blighted parcels in 16 towns and cities across Connecticut.

West Hartford is supporting the Farmington Avenue development project because it will increase affordable housing stocks in town, something highlighted in the town's plan of conservation and development.

In addition to the West Hartford Inn site, the developers would build apartments at the site of an abandoned restaurant nearby, the Los Imperios restaurant.

According to town officials, WHI Camelot plans to build 44 units of "mixed-income housing," with 80 percent of the units being deed-restricted for those with varying incomes.

Housing diversity is seen as key to future economic development.

West Hartford officials have said it could take a couple of years to completely transform the hotel into affordable housing.

The grant and loan funding are from the Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Brownfield Remediation and Development Program.

The state assistance is expected to leverage approximately $625 million in private funding and will help in the investigation and clean-up of approximately 86 acres of land.

“Cleaning up blighted properties that have been vacant for decades and putting them into productive use will ultimately generate private investment equal to many times these state grants,” Lamont said.

“If we remediate these properties now, we can turn an eyesore into an asset, revitalize neighborhoods, and transform otherwise unusable property into new space for businesses and residents.”

“These are smart investments that will boost vibrancy, expand housing opportunities, and spur commercial growth,” DECD Deputy Commissioner Alexandra Daum said.

“Remediation of brownfields is critically important for the health of our environment, and the health of our communities,” state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes said.

“Ensuring that these sites are properly cleaned up will contribute to safer communities and will open the door to significant economic benefit once remediated.

"Brownfield locations are also the wise choice for development and growth, as these properties and the surrounding areas have had significant infrastructure investments in water, sewer, transportation, and energy.”

For the full announcement, click on this link.

From Sept. 15: 'West Hartford Seeks Funds To Clean Up Proposed Affordable Housing'