Iconic Eastern Connecticut Town Hall In Line For Major Upgrades

SCOTLAND, CT — An iconic Eastern Connecticut building is in line for improvements, thanks to a federal grant program.

Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Housing Commissioner Seila-Mosquera Bruno Monday announced that the Connecticut Department of Housing is awarding $12.1 million in grants to eight municipalities for upgrades that will modernize and rehabilitate housing for low and moderate-income individuals, as well as community infrastructure.

The grants are being awarded through 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.

The Scotland Town Hall ADA improvements project is getting $1.5 million. The focus of the renovations will be on the removal of “architectural barriers to accessing the building” and “providing access to and within the building at all levels.”

Renovations will include “immediate and urgent repairs” that include roof and truss repairs and the replacement of damaged siding, sills, and exterior enclosures, including windows and doors, officials said.

The work also includes the removal of “environmental hazards,” including lead-based paint, asbestos, and mold, as well as the repair and repainting of fire escape structures.

An elevator will be added for ADA compliance.

ADA renovations will also address repairs to the entry ramp and stairs, railings, bathrooms, doors, and hallway widths, as well as dedicated handicapped parking at the base of the elevator “without having to use the state highway for wheelchair access.”

A new parking area will be constructed in the gravel parking and maintenance access around the building.

Scotland Town Hall li located at 9 Devotion Road across from the town green. It was built in 1896 as and first used as a schoolhouse.