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26 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | DECEMBER 9, 2024 5 WE WATCHED IN 2024 Building Ideas That Work... Building Ideas That Work... © 2011 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Butler Manufacturing ™ is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. For more than 80 years, Borghesi Building & Engineering Co., Inc. has provided quality and reliability with design and energy efficient construction. 860.482.7613 | BorghesiBuilding.com 2155 East Main Street, Torrington, Connecticut 06790 With an attractive design, it presents to your customers a comfortable relaxing environment to help promote sales. PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: COUNTER WEIGHT BREWING When quality finishes and an attractive functional interior are required, our fine craftsmen provide the ultimate details. ranging from $100,000 to $1 million, that covers the cost of infrastructure and living space. Monthly fees cover the rest, including utilities, house- keeping, food, fitness and, if neces- sary, nursing care. The facility employs about 300 people; the expansion will add about 50 more. Enthusiasm for the expansion is high among Duncaster residents, a large number of whom attended the town meetings in person, Papa said. "The town hall was packed during the Town Planning and Zoning meetings," she said. "We got a few comments about that. Somebody said, 'Why did she bring so many people?' And I turned and said, 'I didn't bring them. They're adults, … they live here and they're interested in this topic, and that's why they're here.'" Residents also defended the project by writing letters to the editor of the local weekly newspaper. 'Keep going' Meantime, renovations to the existing campus will be done regardless of whether the expansion moves forward. The main building will get a new cultural arts center auditorium, updates to dining facilities and expanded fitness spaces. "The dining room is really the heart of Duncaster," Papa said. "It's where everybody comes together and spends time together. So, we need to refresh our dining room." A capital campaign to raise $20 million for the renovations kicked off during the facility's 40th anniversary gala, which was held June 13 at The Riverview banquet hall in Simsbury. While the campaign to date has raised only about $100,000, Papa said she believes the target amount can be reached. "I do think it's achievable with some wonderful donors," she said. "The areas that we are looking to renew and refresh are the places that are so important to the people who live here and the families who had people who lived here in the past. So, we're looking forward to ramping that up in the new year." The gala was just one part of the activities included in celebrating Duncaster's four decades, Papa said, citing a "variety of parades and parties, you name it, we did it." That kept up the enthusiasm, despite the setback for the expansion project, Papa said. She added that a longtime resident, a retired engineer, offered her some advice about the public approval process for the expansion. "Someone who had experience with the (planning and zoning commission) told me, 'Everybody's going to hate it, but three years later they're gonna love it. Keep going,'" Papa said. A rendering of Duncaster's planned new living units on its Bloomfield campus. CONTRIBUTED Kelly Smith Papa Continued from page 25