When the state bought a church down the street from the state Capitol three years ago, it was seen as the future home for storage space for the state library and practice space for the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.
Instead, the building gained some prominence as a temporary shelter for the homeless during the freezing winter months last year when a nearby Salvation Army shelter closed.
Now, Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell is seeking $4 million at the December 10 Bond Commission meeting to fund major upgrades to the building's mechanical and electrical systems, as well as fire protection and fire code improvements.
"These upgrades are absolutely necessary,'' Rell told reporters Monday at the former church. "It beats building a new building.''
"It is a gorgeous, historic building that cannot be replicated,'' Rell said. "You certainly couldn't pay to replicate this building. We're excited about this. It's a lot of work.''
Reporters kept their coats on inside the building, which is kept at 55 degrees as the state is trying to save money while it faces a projected deficit of $3.4 billion in the next fiscal year.
When the church building came up for sale three years ago, state officials jumped at the opportunity.
"I saw it and was struck, not only by its ideal location, but by the beauty of its design and by the way it fit so well into the cluster of buildings around it,'' Rell said. "This project fits neatly with my administration's emphasis on smart growth. Rather than building a new building, this acquisition preserves an historic structure and spares virgin land from new construction.''