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Hartford CIP: schools advance, Engine 5 renovation paused; city prioritizes new construction options and drainage work
Summary
Capital Projects Director Paul Dromi presented a FY26 capital program focused on school construction progress, a pause on a costly Engine 5 renovation while exploring new construction alternatives, continued sidewalk/pavement allocations, pump‑station and drainage planning, and park and cemetery drainage fixes.
Paul Dromi, director of Capital Projects and Operations, gave the committee an overview of the fiscal 2026 recommended capital improvement program and updates on projects already under way.
Schools and funding Dromi said Buckley and Burns school construction projects are scheduled for completion in December, and several other school projects (Kennelly, Wish, Potonsis) are in construction or design phases. He told the council the city has special state legislation enabling higher reimbursement rates for school construction and noted that the city has already appropriated approximately $18 million toward current projects; the state school construction grant program (high reimbursement percentage cited by staff) will cover a large share of eligible costs.
Engine 5: renovation vs. new construction Dromi explained that bids to renovate the 100‑year‑old Engine Company 5 station came in far higher than anticipated — about $6 million in total — and that the administration and stakeholders are now evaluating whether to build a new station on city‑owned land instead of renovating the existing site. He showed a recently completed $6 million new station in Canton/Collinsville as an example of comparable scope and cost and said a new build on city land could offer a better long‑term outcome.
Infrastructure and flood control Dromi highlighted pump‑station improvement design, North End drainage planning and projects in collaboration with DEEP and HUD grants, and MS4‑related capital items to support the operational work DPW described. The recommended local capital ask for FY26 totals about $10.5 million across facilities, infrastructure, parks and transportation classes, with LOSIP funds earmarked for road milling, pavement and curb/sidewalk repairs.
Parks, pools and cemeteries Dromi noted active parks work, streetscape projects and a Kinney Park golf study to explore off‑season uses and amenities. He said Northwood Cemetery requires drainage work to keep veterans’ graves dry and that $1.6 million in grant funding covers planting, removals and stewardship components in a separate forestry grant referenced in the presentation. Dromi also reported investments for pool facility repairs and play‑area upgrades drawn from a recent assessment, and a CROG grant that, with a modest city share, will support EV chargers at the library garage.
Traffic calming, roundabouts and pilot programs Dromi described permanent follow‑up construction to successful traffic‑calming pilots (for example, Hampton Street) — converting temporary delineators and diverters into permanent infrastructure — and said roundabout projects have advanced into design, with scheduling coordinated around MDC sewer separation work to avoid re‑opening new pavement.
Ending: Dromi said staff will provide follow‑up answers to outstanding questions and the FY26 adopted budget will incorporate council feedback on priorities and sequencing.
