State Bond Commission approves funding for Gold Star Bridge, local projects

The State Bond Commission on Tuesday approved funding for the rehabilitation of the northbound span of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge, planning for upgraded senior housing and a new substance abuse recovery center in New London among other local projects, state legislators announced.Gold Star BridgeThe Bond Commission approved nearly $36 million for the northbound Gold Star Bridge renovation, which represents the state's matching funds for the current phase of the work, which includes testing, replacing, repairing and reinforcing steel under the bridge, said state Rep. Christine Conley, D-Groton. As each step of the construction proceeds, the state will appropriate the matching funds.The state Department of Transportation said this spring that the $591 million construction project, which includes steel and concrete repairs, the replacement of the bridge deck and bearings, painting, new lights, railing and fencing, will be undertaken with 90% federal funds and 10% state matching funds. State Rep. Aundré Bumgardner, D-Groton, said in a statement that the funding will be used to "strengthen the Gold Star Bridge and ensure it remains safe for the thousands of motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians that rely on it every day." Conley in a statement that the bridge, which sees more than 60,000 vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians cross daily, "is an essential part of our community, and this support will provide everyone the assurance that the bridge is safer and stronger."New London projectsThe commission awarded New London $250,000 for planning related to the redevelopment of the Gordon Court senior housing units overseen by the city's Housing Authority.The authority is planning a $65 million project that calls for demolishing the three 60-year-old state-overseen housing complexes it operates – Gordon Court, the George Washington Carver Apartments on Colman Street and Riozzi Court – and replacing them with single buildings.The Gordon Court phase of the project would replace 38 existing units, most divided into four-apartment buildings, with a single, three-story structure containing 74 apartments and a community room.The New London-based Southeastern Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence was awarded $250,000 for the planning of a new recovery center on Coit and Reed streets."By supporting our most vulnerable through funding for senior housing and services for those recovering from addiction, all residents of New London will see major benefits that will uplift our community," state Rep. Anthony Nolan, D-New London, said in a statement.Just over $1.2 million will go to the Day Devco LLC, a subsidiary of the Maine-based High Tide Capital development company, to help refurbish The Day building at 47 Eugene O'Neill Drive.High Tide purchased the 117-year-old newspaper building in January for $1.875 million. The state money will help pay for façade and window repairs, energy system upgrades and roof replacement work ahead of the building's proposed transformation into a residential and commercial complex.Mystic AquariumThe commission also approved $500,000 to replace a chiller at Mystic Aquarium. Bumgardner said in a statement that the chiller is "essential for the care of marine animals like the iconic beluga whales," and ensures the aquarium "can continue its vital work in conservation and marine education while supporting the local economy."Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, also applauded the approval of the grant."This is very 'cool' news for the aquarium, and I thank Gov. Lamont for recognizing this project as a priority," said Somers, who co-chairs the legislature's bipartisan Tourism Caucus. "Animal and marine life health starts with the highest quality care. A crucial component of that quality of care is a well-functioning infrastructure. This investment will help the aquarium to continue providing exemplary care to a variety of species while also serving as the northeast's premier marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation center. It will also further the aquarium's mission of providing unparalleled and inspirational visitor experiences to hundreds of thousands of annual guests."NorwichFor Norwich, the bond commission approved the Community Investment Fund grants awarded to the city in September, $7.8 million to clean up the dilapidated former Capehart Mill in Greeneville and $4.5 million to continue waterfront improvements at the Howard T. Brown Memorial Park and the marina property.Mayor Peter Nystrom thanked the city government and the Norwich Community Development Corp. staff who worked on the city's successful application for the CIF program and local state legislators for supporting the applications. This past summer the city purchased the long-vacant, blighted Marina Towers office building at the marina entrance. Part of the waterfront grant will cover an engineering assessment and partial demolition of the Marina Towers."Marina Towers. We took possession of that a couple months ago, and we already have the money to deal with it," Nystrom said Tuesday. "That doesn't happen if it wasn't for the CIF program and the people in the city working hard on the application. We all worked as one team."Waterford and Montville projectsState Sen. Martha Marx, D-New London, announced that the commission approved $7 million toward an improvement project at Seaside State Park in Waterford, which initially was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. Marx said in a statement that the funds approved by the commission "will support important local projects, ranging from improved public safety in Waterford and important downtown redevelopment in New London, as well as updated work in Seaside State Park and final approval of several key local projects."She said the commission also approved $500,000 for an upgraded public safety radio system in Waterford and $250,000 to plan upgrades for Route 32 in Montville.State Rep. Kathleen McCarty, R-Waterford, said in a statement that the Waterford project will allow the town to join the State of Connecticut Land Mobile Radio Network. She said that will align Waterford's "emergency services communications equipment with surrounding towns and departments to create an even wider safety net for our community and the residents of the Southeastern part of the state."Day Staff Writers Claire Bessette and John Penney contributed to this article.Editor's note this story has been updated to include comments from state Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton. k.drelich@theday.com