April 26, 2013
Lawmakers representing Manchester praised the State Bond Commission’s approval Friday of a $3 million grant for a new mental health clinic, $75,000 for a parking lot and building improvements at Pathfinders Association and $150,000 for site and drainage improvements at the state Superior Court on Center Street.
Community Health Resources (CHR) has construction plans for a $6.7 million, 30,000-square-foot office building at 444 Center St., the site of the former Willie’s Steak House. The building would be used for mental health services, including out-patient services and case management programs.
“For more than five decades, CHR has been providing high quality services to children, adults and families who struggle with mental health and substance abuse issues,” Rep. Jason Rojas (D-Manchester, East Harford) said. “Since the Newtown tragedy, there has been a much needed focus on improving access to mental health services. With these new resources CHR can expand access to many of our neighbors in Manchester and East Hartford who need it.”
Rojas joined with state Reps. Joe Diminico (D-Manchester, Glastonbury), Geoff Luxenberg (D-Manchester) and Timothy Larson (D-Manchester, East Hartford, South Windsor) in praising Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for supporting strategic investments in Manchester that create jobs and help the town grow.
“State government is an important partner in the effort to strengthen communities across Connecticut,” Malloy said. “Bolstering commerce, restoring infrastructure and improving livability builds strong and thriving towns. This is a timely project because not only will it create jobs but it will also provide important long-term health care services to the people of Connecticut.”
Luxenberg said the CHR project would benefit Manchester in many ways. “It is a fantastic opportunity for our town. The construction will provide jobs in the short term and jobs at this clinic will provide long-term, high paying employment. Moreover, the services provided in this facility will benefit the community at large.”
Noting the violent tragedies not only in Newtown but also the eight people shot and killed at the Hartford Distributors plant in Manchester in 2010 and other massacres around the country, Larson said more funding is needed for mental health services. “We must invest in these critical areas and strengthen our mental health services in communities,” said Larson, who lives a short distance from the beer distribution plant.
Diminico also praised the approval of the $75,000 state grant that will be used to reconstruct a parking lot at Pathfinders Association of Manchester on Norman Street.
“Pathfinders has been providing meeting space for people in recovery since the 1940s and plays an essential role in mental health,” Diminico said. “As much as we can, we need to help non-profit agencies that are dedicated to helping everyone in our community. Strengthening mental health services will go a long way in building a strong and healthy community,” he said.
“In a time when the state legislature is so focused on mental health issues, I am proud that Manchester has been a leader in creating new infrastructure to help those in need,” Luxenberg said.
The State Bond Commission also approved $150,000 for drainage and site improvements at the Manchester Superior Court building at 410 Center St., which is next door to the proposed site of the new CHR clinic.