11/21/2005
City to see federal funds
By FRANCHONE FRASER-BEN REUBEN BEY , Staff Writer
NEW BRITAIN -- Thanks to the strong support of U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson, over $6 million of new federal funds have been secured to help improve transportation in the region, enhance security at the Hill Stead Museum and expand the Arch Street neighborhood.

In March, Johnson wrote to Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) to express her support for funding New Britain projects.Johnson said she believes that the funds will not only improve the community, but create jobs and ease transportation congestion in the area.
 

 

The Friendship Service Center will receive $100,000 to aid in the Arch Street expansion.The center fights homelessness by providing shelter and counseling services for at-risk families in New Britain.The new funding will be used to purchase and renovate a former city-owned property at 85 Arch Street.Upon completion of the project, the first floor will house youth programs, a retail bike shop and a New Britain police substation.The second and third floors will house 12 supportive housing units for individuals and families.

Mayor Timothy Stewart says he’s happy to hear that the Friendship Service Center is receiving federal assistance.

"The Friendship Service Center is such an important institution," Stewart said."They do a tremendous job serving the needy in New Britain."

The center’s executive director, Ellen Simpson, said that that without Johnson’s constant support, this wouldn’t have happened.

"Nancy’s leadership and constant support of the Friendship Center is a wonderful thing,"Simpson said."This funding will allow us to add to the stock of permanent supportive housing."

Financial support in the amount of $250,000 will be used for upgrades at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington.Funding will allow the museum to upgrade its security equipment as well as implement a security plan that will focus on theft protection as well as fire protection.

Additional financial assistance in the amount of $6 million will go to the New Britain-Hartford Busway.This funding continues a long-term commitment by the state’s congressional delegation.The plan is to complete the nine-mile, two-lane exclusive bus roadway along an abandoned rail track.This will be the first in the state of Connecticut.It will have up to 12 stops along the route, which will run through New Britain, Newington, West Hartford and Hartford.