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12/04/2016 10:40 AMA $12.11 million bonding issue heads to final vote in Branford on December 14 in Branford. The money would fund the planning, acquisition and construction of the renovation of Branford Community House to become the town’s combined community and senior center facility.
Branford’s Board of Finance had unanimously voted to recommend the $12.11 million bonding on Nov. 28. During a special meeting on Nov. 30, the full Representative Town Meeting (RTM), which has a Dec. 14 vote scheduled on the item, was briefed on the project by First Selectman James B. Cosgrove and project architect Tom Arcarri of Quisenberry Arcarri Architects LLC (Farmington).
“I thought it was important to have a discussion of the leadership (and) to ask the full RTM to convene prior to going to committee, so as many members as possible can hear the presentation,” said Cosgrove.
Following the Nov. 30 briefing and RTM committee review, the full RTM will convene Dec. 14 with a vote on the appropriation and bonding on the agenda. The resolution also asks to RTM to authorize the town to use any proceeds from the sale of the Canoe Brook Senior Center building (11 Cherry Hill Road) to defray a portion of the $12.11 million expense.
The resolution describes appropriating $12,115,000 and authorizing bonding the amount to cover planning, design and renovation expenses to renovate the Branford Community House “...as a Town of Branford Community House and multi-purpose facility include senior center and the Town’s recreation department.”
Cosgrove’s efforts to upgrade the town’s aging senior center began in 2014, when community conversations and surveys, hosted by the Town of Branford and organized by a hired consulting firm, took place. The firm then recommended upgrading and expanding the 50 year-old Branford Community House to creating a multiuse facility in the town center.
Following that, a bidding process, vetted by Branford’s Public Building Commission, brought the selection of Quinsenberry Arcarri Architects about 18 months ago. Quinsenberry’s exploration of the revitalization included looking at existing studies and evaluations that had been done; working with the heads of Branford Recreation and Branford Senior Citizens, as well as neighbors in the community surrounding the building.
In crafting final design, “We really wanted to find out what do you have, what are the challenges, what the problems fascing the community,” said Arcarri. “We took this upon ourselves independently because, while we were reviewing what had been done, we really wanted to take a fresh look at the data.”
Quisenberry’s designs plans were approved by Branford’s Planning and Zoning Commission in June 2016. The expansion adds a two-story addition to the Community House’s Prospect Street side and a new, two-story addition for public entry and gathering spaces facing the main parking lot at the rear of the building. A new vehicle drop-off driveway and covered pedestrian entryway will be added to the building’s Church Street façade. Additional handicapped access and entry will be added to the south side of the building. An adjacent lot that adds parking and open space to the original parcel footprint (facing Meadow Street) would be purchased by the town for the project.
The new facility would incorporate separate spaces for Senior Center activities on the second floor, with an enhanced, enlarged public cafeteria space and kitchen. The idea of the building flow is to allow for more interaction between community members of all ages. All current spaces will be upgraded, including revitalization of the existing gymnasium, and an elevator would be installed. The current outdoor skate park will be taken down to allow for more parking spaces and enhanced outdoor areas. Plantings and new walkways around the building will incorporate gardens and gathering points.
The RTM meeting is set for 8 p.m. on Wed. Dec. 14 at Branford Fire Headquarters, 45 North Main St.