The public can examine preliminary designs for the reimagined Elmwood Community and Cultural Center and rank the elements of each design.
By Ronni Newton
The City of West Hartford is planning a new Elmwood Community Center for the former site of St. Brigid’s School, and as the feasibility study process continues, the public has multiple opportunities to provide feedback.
The project to reinvent the property at 100 Mayflower Street which the City of West Hartford purchased in 2021 began earlier this year, and consultant Tecton Architects is conducting a functional program and feasibility study that will lead to the creating the vision for a new state-of-the-art community and cultural center in Elmwood – serving teens, seniors, cultural organizations and the Elmwood branch of the public library in a flexible space also adjacent to Beachland Park, the most large city park.
A “New ECC” tab on the West Hartford Library website links to the project website, which is updated with the status of the ongoing feasibility study with details of the events that took place and copies of the project plans. There is a “contact us” button which is the link to the email [email protected]information on the work being done by the advisory group and a link to a poll/survey where members of the public can rank elements of the initial concept plans – which are shown in the images below – providing information on the potential development of the building and its form, as well as its location on the site.
“Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will be taken into consideration as the initial concepts are refined. Often the preferred option evolves from a combination or adjustment of elements from each of the options, at as it evolves in an iterative design process,” the survey states.
Since being hired, Tecton has been working on the visualization process and gathering feedback from the public at a booth at Celebrate! West Hartford, hosted a “coffee cause” at the Elmwood Senior Center and unveiled concept designs at a public event at the Elmwood Community Center in mid-September.
Tecton will prepare a final report to include the concept plans and related cost estimates as part of the feasibility study, which will include recommendations for the existing 52,000 square foot building – with options to demolish it and replace it with a new construction, or rather renovating and expanding the current structure.
Current concepts available for public comment include a renovation option with a significant addition, as well as two different concept plans for an entirely new structure on the property.
To participate in the design ranking, go to Feasibility study web page and click on the “Survey” link at the top, or click directly on this link.
The public is also invited to attend a virtual presentation, with the possibility of questions and answers, on Thursday, October 6 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. via Zoom. Click here for link to join.
A “Refining the Design” public event is also scheduled for Wednesday, October 26, from 5-8 p.m., where the community can hear more details and provide additional information as the concepts are refined.
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