Doyle: State Funds for Rocky Hill Veterans’ Home to Earn Matching Funds
April 24, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — State Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) said today state funding to underwrite design work for renovations at the Connecticut Veterans’ Home in Rocky Hill will qualify for federal matching funds. Senator Doyle said the State Bond Commission approved $489,000 last week for architectural and engineering fees to get the project started but the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs will provide 65 percent of the estimated $10.3 million total construction cost.
Senator Doyle said the project qualifies for funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a cornerstone of President Obama’s economic stimulus package.“There’s no question but that the sacrifice made by Connecticut veterans ought to be met with our commitment to provide suitable quarters for them in retirement; I’m pleased to know the very first step toward these planned renovations has been taken,” Senator Doyle said. “And this project is precisely the type of economic stimulus we need because it will improve vitally important infrastructure and generate jobs while doing so.
The project underway will replace the roof of the commissary building as well as that of the East and West Domicile buildings, it will provide for improvements to the ventilation system, and allow upgrades to the fire-fighting sprinkler system, Senator Doyle said.
“I know how important it is to honor the service of our veterans with comfortable and dignified surroundings at our Rocky Hill facility,” Senator Doyle added. “I look forward to seeing the results of this engineering work and a final design so I can describe to these veterans exactly what they can expect when the renovation is complete.”
“I’m grateful to the governor and members of the Bond Commission for their foresight to approve this seed money to get the very first stage of this project underway,” Senator Doyle concluded.
Senator Doyle is serving his second term in the Senate; he previously served six terms in the House of Representatives. He is the Senate Chair of the Human Services Committee, vice-chair of the Housing Committee, and serves on the Judiciary and Regulations Review Committees.
Contact:
Laurence Grotheer
860-240-8820
Laurence.Grotheer (at) cga.ct (dot) gov
