Mayor: 'This Is Exciting!' Hill Cooperative Youth Services Site Being Renovated Into 'New' Trowbridge Center

NEW HAVEN, CT — The beginning of renovations at the historic Hill Cooperative Youth Services building in the Hill neighborhood, being remodeled and reactivated into the "new" Trowbridge Youth and Community Center, was celebrated this week.

Wednesday, Mayor Justin Elicker was joined by city and state officials to kick off the start of the project. The re-done Trowbridge center will once again serve as a neighborhood space that provides free and low-cost activities and programs for New Haven children, youth, families, and the wider community.

The $3.8 million project, financed through a combination of city and state funds, will abate, repair, and transform the interior of the 7,900 square-foot facility into a new half-court gym; a multipurpose room; designated rooms for arts, music, and movement classes; a food pantry; offices; and bathrooms.

The historic facade and exterior of the building will also be repaired and restored.

In addition, Trowbridge Square Park, just across from the center, is also slated for improvements, including additional playscape equipment, renovated paths, and an interpretive historical display and banners commemorating the history of the Trowbridge Square Historic District. The latter is made possible by a separate $150,000 allocation through the U.S. HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant that supports the Union Square neighborhood and housing initiative led by Elm City Communities.

At the celebration this week were State Rep. Juan Candelaria, Alder Carmen Rodriguez, city engineer Giovanni Zinn, Youth and Rec director Dr. Gwendolyn B. Williams, and Elm City Communities Acting Executive Vice President Jimmy L. Miller among others.

Originally built in 1925, the Trowbridge building was initially a school and then the Hill Cooperative Youth Services, colloquially known as “The Barbell Club,” and the site of afterschool and summer programs for youth – but closed in 2008.

In 2022, Elicker announced a new initiative to activate eight new youth and community centers at underutilized city buildings in neighborhoods across the city, including the old Barbell Club. The facility will be managed by the city Youth and Recreation Department and. like other youth and community centers, will also be available to prospective non-profit and community organizations that offer free and low-cost programs for city residents. Construction at this site is expected to be complete in early 2026.