City Breaks Ground on $3.4M Senior and Community Center

The first shovels full of earth were dug Monday in a ceremonial groundbreaking of the city's new $3.4 million senior center — a project that was years in the making.

Calling it a moment of pride, Middletown Mayor Dan Drew said work is set to begin Oct. 7 on the Eckersley-Hall Senior / Community Center by local contractor M&M Construction.

Architects Silver/Petrucelli said the plan for the former St. Sebastian School building includes underground circulating water which will help generate heating and cooling for the building and a geothermal energy instead of electricity.

Last month, the building committee voted unanimously to contract with M&M Inc., doing business as Aresco Construction, for bid estimate of $4,680,000.

In late August, the committee announced at a press conference that Connecticut Light & Power's tax credits purchase of nearly $1.3 million and a $172,300 historic restoration grant reduced the price to taxpayers by more than $1.2 million.

The project, which began with the city's purchase of the St. Sebastian School on Durant Terrace in March 2011, is expected to be completed within nine to 12 months. 

In June 2012, the State Historic Preservation Council approved placing the Eckersley-Hall school building on the State Register of Historic Places.

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