BET approves $2.45 million special appropriation to finish South Norwalk community recreation center

Alan Lowe, a building management representative, and Robert Sowers of Recreation & Parks presented the board with a final funding request for the long-planned community recreation center at 98 South Main Street.

Lowe described the project's funding package as combining state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) money, HUD funds, other capital allocations and municipal sources that together totaled roughly $13 million. Bids returned higher than expected; value engineering reduced scope and cost by about $1.1 million, but the project still required an additional $2.45 million to proceed with bidding and to retain a 3.5% owner contingency and overall 5% contingency within the project budget.

To avoid additional bonding, the city proposed moving $2,450,000 from the Cranberry School project surplus into the recreation center account. Lowe said the Cranberry account could be closed with about $60,000 remaining. Board members asked how the Cranberry surplus occurred; Lowe explained that favorable bid timing and market conditions produced savings when that project was bid and executed.

The board voted to approve the special appropriation. Tom (staff member) reminded trustees that BET approval is the first of four approvals required: planning and zoning, financing claims, and then full common council action.

Context: The project has been in development for years, including an earlier partnership effort with the YMCA that did not proceed. The YMCA will partner on a small, fee-based portion (about 2,000 square feet) and run specific programs such as e-sports and a science program, while Recreation & Parks manages the center and expects to hire a manager and part-time staff. The center is expected to include three rentable community rooms and generate program and rental revenue.

Votes at a glance

- Approval: Minutes from Dec. 2 meeting — approved (motion by Artie Kasimis; one abstention recorded). - Approval: Bulk transfers (see transfers list) — approved (voice vote; transfers included Recreation & Parks $51,000 intra-department transfer; Probate Court $15,000; and Registrar of Voters ~ $241,000 among others). - Approval: Special capital appropriation of $2,450,000 for 98 South Main Street community recreation center, funded by closing $2,450,000 from Cranberry School surplus — approved.

Ending

Trustees were told the appropriation will next go to planning and zoning, financing claims, and then the full common council for final approval.