Hartford Business Journal

4 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JULY 10, 2023 BIZ BRIEFS • Eastern is the #1 ranked public regional university in New England (U.S. News and World Report, 2021-22) • Eastern graduates have the ethics, problem- solving and communication skills, and ability to work in teams that you need in your organization. • 41 majors — including Accounting, Data Science, Economics, Business Information Systems, Finance, Health Sciences and more. Eastern Grads . . . www.easternct.edu Job Ready! Lamont admin. plans to consolidate state office buildings amid embrace of remote work The state Bond Commission has approved $1 million as initial seed money to consolidate state offices at 450 Columbus Blvd., in buildings formerly known as Connecticut River Plaza. It's part of a broader state office space consolidation plan amid the rise of remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic. Several state office buildings are being targeted for closure as part of the effort. The Lamont administration last year reached an agreement with state employee unions that gives thousands of state workers the ability to work remotely for as many as four days per week. That decision drew the ire of downtown Hartford merchants that depend on state workers' support. "The state is constantly evaluating its footprint across executive branch agencies, looking for cost savings and efficiencies for taxpayers," said John McKay, a spokesman for the state Department of Administrative Services. The state office complex, at 450 Columbus Blvd., consists of two buildings spanning 575,000 square feet. Built in 1984, they were reno- vated in 2016. The state purchased the property in 2013 for $34.5 million. The complex houses about 800 employees from the Department of Revenue Services and the Commis- sion on Human Rights and Opportu- nities, which moved to the 11-story South Tower in 2016. In addition, more than 1,300 employees from the State Office Building at 165 Capitol Ave., were relocated to the 15-story North Tower between 2016 and 2017. The state has recently targeted a number of Hartford office buildings for closure: 61 Woodland St., home to the state's recently consolidated commu- nity college system, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities; 39 Woodland St., which houses the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System; and 505 Hudson St., the Department of Children and Families headquarters. Also, the Department of Motor Vehicles' building at 60 State St., in Wethersfield, has been targeted for closure. The Department of Administrative Services has issued a request for qualifications for consultant/architec- tural services to "assist in the devel- The state-owned office building at 450 Columbus Blvd., Hartford. PHOTO | COSTAR State Bond Commission approves $340.2M for economic development projects The state Bond Commission on June 30 approved $340.2 million in funding for projects across the state. Among other things, the commission approved redirecting about $7 million previously allocated for redevelopment of East Hartford's Silver Lane and Rentschler Field corridor for construc- tion of new apartments at the 25-acre former Showcase Cinemas site. At least 300 units are planned. In addition, the commission approved $6.5 million for abate- ment and demolition of buildings at Founders Plaza in East Hartford, including the former McCartin School and three adjacent buildings. A developer has proposed a mixed-use project at Founders Plaza that includes hundreds of apart- ments, along with new restaurants, entertainment, office space and passive recreation. Other funding includes: • $4.85 million for renovations to the state Capitol complex, including skywalk upgrades, hearing room renovations, carpeting, technology upgrades, and other improvements and repairs. • $9 million for the Department of Economic and Community Devel- opment's Small Business Boost Fund — formerly known as the Small Business Express Program — which includes establishing at least one minority business revolving loan fund. • $30 million to provide supplemental financing for redevelopment and upgrades to the State Pier in New London. The plan is to create a modern, heavy-lift port through a public-private partnership. • $20 million to finance loans for housing projects and programs under the Housing Trust Fund. The funds would go toward the Time To Own first-time homebuyer assistance program. • $1.5 million for a mixed-use devel- opment on vacant Hartford-owned land on Albany Avenue between Magnolia and Irving streets. The property was previously slated to receive funds to create a neigh- borhood park, but the money has been redirected. • $4.6 million for small programs and administrative costs under the Economic Development and Manufacturing Assistance Act. • $750,000 to provide a grant- in-aid to the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce to move its headquarters to downtown New London. A rendering of the Concourse Park apartment development planned on the site of the demolished Showcase Cinemas multiplex in East Hartford. opment of a space utilization plan to maximize office space within 450 Columbus Blvd., and evaluate state buildings to meet workforce needs and requirements." The RFQ was posted on May 11, with a June 12 deadline for firms to submit responses. DAS is currently reviewing those submissions. The consultant will "review the state facilities plan, including the state's definition of 'usable space' and the area allowance per employee," along with analyzing space in comparison to industry standards, McKay said. The review will include recommenda- tions on the use of hoteling, telework and modern workplace environments. The state has been consolidating its office footprint for years and has put buildings it owns at 30 Trinity St. and 18-20 Trinity St. up for sale. A development team is under contract to buy both Trinity Street buildings, with plans to convert them into more than 100 apartments.

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