Tolland Gets $2 Million State Grant For Old Post Village Improvements

TOLLAND, CT — The town of Tolland has been awarded a $2 million state grant to make some units at the Old Post Village housing complex fully ADA accessible units for its residents.

Tolland is one of eight municipalities receiving awards totaling $12.8 million for infrastructure upgrades that will modernize and rehabilitate housing for low and moderate-income residents.

Old Post Village was constructed in 1977, before the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, according to information provided by the office of Gov. Ned Lamont.

The scope of this project proposes to achieve full ADA compliance on three units. This conversion will not only benefit the tenants who need it most, it will also make the property fully compliant by meeting the minimum 10 percent “Type A” barrier-free handicapped- accessible units’ requirements.

The proposed scope of work focuses on ADA improvements, energy efficiency, and safety. This will be achieved through renovations to the exterior building envelope, which includes replacing the roof, gutters, windows, entry and storm doors, as well as the entry door stoops; interior kitchen, bathroom and community room renovations, including ADA accessibility; new interior doors, water closets, sinks, showers, and flooring; blown-in attic insulation; replacement of all mini split units throughout the complex; electrical upgrades, including interior and exterior lighting, emergency lighting, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, as well as building service panels and meter cans; and site work, including improving drainage, parking lot repairs and expansion, as well as ADA ramp additions and improvements.

The grants are being awarded as part of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Small Cities program, which is administered by the Connecticut Department of Housing with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Eligible projects are required to be in a municipality with a population of fewer than 50,000 residents.

"These housing grants go a long way to improving neighborhoods so that we can make our communities more attractive and encourage continued growth for the benefit of all our residents," Lamont said in a written statement.

Connecticut Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno said, "Connecticut has both large and small cities that contribute to its unique culture and quality of life. Whether it’s helping families make essential renovations to their homes, ensuring senior living facilities are ADA compliant, or providing a fire truck for increased services, these grants are essential to upgrade and enhance our smaller towns. We’re aware that this funding is crucial and improves the day-to-day-lives of our residents."