Connecticut
Historic Piano Factory To Become Affordable Housing In Meriden
MERIDEN, CT — A former historic piano factory is set to become an affordable housing development as part of a redevelopment project in Meriden’s North End.
Boston-based Trinity Financial is investing $56 million into the former Aeolian Company building at 85 Tremont Street to convert the historic property into a new 82-unit, mixed-income rental housing community.
The Aeolian Company building was a manufacturing facility for automatic player pianos established in 1887.
Dan Drazen, Vice President of Development at Trinity Financial, first identified the historic building in 2021, recognizing it as a “complex but potentially transformational project,” according to a news release.
Approximately 65 percent of the project’s funding will be sourced from low-income housing tax credit equity, and federal and state historic tax credit equity, according to the news release.
Trinity recently closed on the following sources of construction financing: $24.5 million from KeyBank, $13.4 million from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, $9.5 million from the Connecticut Department of Housing, and $4 million from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, including $1.5 million of Brownfields funding.
“Trinity Financial is excited to break ground on this mixed-income, adaptive reuse apartment project, showcasing the city of Meriden’s commitment to affordable housing and community revitalization while putting a contaminated Brownfield site back into productive use,” Drazen said in the news release.
Read more from the news release below:
“KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) is pleased to make this $27 million equity investment and nearly $25 million construction loan to Trinity’s 85 Tremont project,” said Anna Belanger, KeyBank CDLI relationship manager. “At KeyBank, we are dedicated to helping the communities where we live and work thrive. This project will drive economic revitalization for the community.”
Among the neighborhood projects linked to this redevelopment is nearly a $2.5 million upgrade to the North End Field Little League complex on Britannia Street, which included the construction of two new turf ball fields, parking and drainage/stormwater enhancements that were completed in 2023. The other project, northwest of the existing fields, will convert two adjacent, overgrown city-owned lots into a small park which will include a playscape and space for a basketball court.
“We are excited to see the revitalization of 85 Tremont moving forward,” said Steven Cardillo, President of the North End Meriden Neighborhood Association. “This redeveloped building will serve as an anchor for North Meriden and complement the city’s investments in our neighborhood athletic fields, sports courts, and playgrounds.”
Meriden Economic Developer Joe Feest said, “Together, these initiatives represent a $58.5 million public-private investment poised to revitalize nearly an entire city block in North Meriden, fostering a more active, vibrant community. We have had a great working relationship with Trinity and look forward to seeing this project completed.”
The redevelopment will repurpose a historic asset, turning it into 82 residential units designed to meet a range of income levels, as well as clean up a Brownfield property that stems from years of heavy industrial use. Fourteen units will be part of the federal Section 811 program with supportive services for households earning at or below 25 percent of the area median income (AMI), three units for households at or below 30 percent AMI, 28 units at or below 50 percent AMI, 12 units at or below 60 percent of AMI, 14 units at or below 80 percent AMI, and 11 market-rate apartments. Amenities will include a community room, kids’ playroom, fitness center, and indoor bike storage, all within walking distance of local amenities and public transportation.
“Investment in affordable housing and community revitalization allows our Connecticut residents to live in high quality housing with affordable rents,” said Connecticut Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno. “Public-private partnerships that create more housing are also a smart approach to leverage finite public dollars and build key relationships for long-term sustainable collaborations to solve challenges affecting those that call Connecticut home.”
Maintaining the site’s historic significance, the building’s exterior will remain intact, while interior renovations will highlight original features such as ceiling beams and sliding metal doors.
“Trinity’s 85 Tremont project will provide safe, stable homes for families, while breathing new life into Meriden’s North End neighborhood,” Meriden Mayor Kevin Scarpati said. “This project is exactly the type of development that we envisioned when we expanded the city’s Adaptive Reuse Overlay District in 2020. Meriden continues to provide better quality housing that residents need and deserve, while improving our neighborhoods through this extraordinary public and private partnership.”
Trinity Financial aims to secure Enterprise Green Communities certification for the project, focusing on sustainability through energy-efficient upgrades, including a new window system, high-efficiency HVAC, Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, and solar panels on the roof.
“I take great pleasure in seeing this project begin,” State Rep. Michael Quinn said. “It will offer central Connecticut residents the affordable housing that is so desperately needed to support economic development in our region.”
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Five Connecticut towns will collectively receive $10 million in grants for infrastructure upgrades, according to a Monday announcement by Gov. Ned Lamont.
The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is awarding $10.7 million to Coventry, Guilford, Ledyard, Mansfield and Thomaston to modernize and rehabilitate housing for low- and moderate-income residents, the announcement said.
The funds are being released through the DOH’s Community Development Block Grant’s small cities program, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To be eligible, a municipality must have fewer than 50,000 residents.
Cost Breakdown
Coventry: $2 million
Town of Coventry plans to use funds to upgrade, with a focus on making Orchard Hill Estates compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Guilford: $2 million
The Town of Guilford plans to use funds to design and build future affordable housing projects, consisting of up to 16 rental units and 8 homes.
Ledyard: $2 million
The Town of Canton requested funding for the first phase of affordable housing for people in Ledyard and the surrounding area. Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut is in the pre-development phase of the Colby Drive and plans to create 38 units.
Mansfield: $2.2 million
Funding will be used for upgrades to Wright’s Village, including roof replacements and sidewalk repairs.
Thomaston: $2.5 million
Funds will be used to make Green Manor ADA-compliant, including the installation of a new emergency call aid system.
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Connecticut
Florida High School State Bronze Medalist Dajah German Verbals To Connecticut For Fall 2027
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Florida high school state bronze medalist Dajah German has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2027. She publicized the news on SwimCloud, writing:
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have pushed me to be my best throughout the years. And a very special thank you to Coach Chris and Coach Nicole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited for what’s ahead. GO HUSKIES!
A rising senior at Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida, German trains year-round with Swim Fort Lauderdale and primarily specializes in the sprint and middle-distance freestyle events.
German has improved each year of her high school career, most recently dropping from 23.78, 51.39, and 1:50.56 in the 50/100/200 free to 23.54, 51.35, and 1:49.69 during the 2025-26 short course season.
German’s top meet of the season was the Florida Senior Championships in March, where she recorded her current PBs in both the 50 and 200 free. She finished second in the 500 free (4:55.94) and 1650 free (17:02.78), third in both the 50 free and 200 free, and fifth in the 100 free (51.43). She set her current 100 free PB at a smaller holiday meet in December. In the 500 free, she clocked a season-best 4:55.21 at the Speedo Cup in January, with her lifetime best of 4:53.19 coming at the 2025 Florida Senior Championships.
German has qualified for the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Championships for the past three years, with her top performance coming at the 2025 iteration in November. She placed third in the 50 free (23.96), fifth in the 500 free (5:01.12), and helped Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the 200 free relay (24.64 leadoff) and 400 free relay (53.08 anchor).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.54
- 100 Freestyle: 51.35
- 200 Freestyle: 1:49.69
- 500 Freestyle: 4:53.19
A Division I Mid-Major program, Connecticut competes in the Big East, with the women’s team placing second out of seven teams at this past season’s conference championships. German’s current lifetime bests would have placed third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free, eighth in the 50 free, and ninth in the 100 free, setting her up as an immediate contributor with two full seasons of training still ahead before her first conference meet.
German joins Anna Mumford, Lyla Devlin, Lena Brown, and Louisa Holda in committing to the Huskies’ class of 2031 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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