The Hartford Court of Common Council on Oct. 14, 2025, approved a resolution authorizing redevelopment of 110 Washington Street, a city-owned property currently used as a warming center, after several council members pressed the administration to produce a concrete plan to replace warming-center capacity before construction begins.

The measure was placed on the action calendar and passed by roll call after discussion. Councilman Mickham said the council should postpone the redevelopment until “we have a plan to replace the warming center,” arguing the city has too often relied on promises instead of binding plans. “I do not think the city as a rule prioritizes the needs of its most vulnerable,” he said. He asked the council to hold the administration accountable before approving the redevelopment.

Majority Leader Marilyn Rosetti responded that she oversees a homeless facility in her day job and that promises made during the committee meeting were accompanied by concrete next steps. Rosetti said the administration committed to making the warming-center status a recurring agenda item for the relevant committee and to pursuing an alternate facility for winter 2026–2027. “It was stated in the committee meeting that, number 1, it would be made clear that 110 would be the warming center this year,” Rosetti said, adding the council would start work now to find a replacement location and that she would take a lead role.

Councilman Mickham said he welcomed action but still preferred postponement to force the administration to deliver. Rosetti and other supporters said redevelopment would return the property to the tax rolls and provide workforce/affordable housing opportunities; construction would not begin immediately, leaving time to secure a new warming-center site.

The council voted on the item by roll call. Recorded votes in the transcript include: Councilwoman Bilodeau — yes; Councilman Clark — yes; Councilman Gayle — yes; Councilman Mickham — no; Councilwoman Rosetti — yes; Council President Shirley Surgeon — yes; Councilman Thomas — yes. The motion passed.

The resolution was introduced by the mayor’s office and placed on the action calendar after a committee review. The transcript shows committee members discussed operational needs for warming centers — including staffing and transit access — and that the administration committed to monthly updates to the Planning, Economic Development and Housing committee.

Council members who argued for delay said a binding plan for replacement services is the only way to ensure continuity; proponents said the council can and should hold the administration to the commitments on the committee schedule and revisit the matter if promised steps are not met.

The council did not set a construction start date in the recorded discussion; officials said redevelopment would occur only after warming-center services are relocated and operationally tested.

The item will return to council and committee agendas as staff and providers work to identify and secure alternate warming-center space before the winter season.