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City staff update committee on winter warming-center planning; 345 Main and 81 Bartholomew under consideration
Summary
Development Services told the committee 110 Washington Street will serve as a warming center this winter while staff pursues more permanent options; 345 Main (first floor usable, second floor requires sprinkler upgrades) and 81 Bartholomew (large heated structure) are two candidates, and staff said an adequate bed plan must be in place by Dec. 1.
The Hartford Planning, Economic Development and Housing Committee received an update Nov. 5 from Development Services on winter warming-center planning and potential sites to expand capacity.
Director Acker told the committee that 110 Washington Street will serve as a warming center this winter and that staff are also evaluating two additional properties: 345 Main and 81 Bartholomew. He said 345 Main’s first floor can be used immediately and would provide about 20 beds now, with potential to scale ("up to about 60" depending on configuration), but the second floor needs a new sprinkler system per the state fire marshal. Acker described 81 Bartholomew as a large, remediated structure with heat and utilities that could provide substantial space for beds this season, though he called it “not ideal” as a long-term shelter site.
Why it matters: Committee members pressed staff on operational details — separation of client populations, square footage and room layouts (open space vs. rooms), transit access and impacts on nearby businesses. Council members raised staffing limits and the cost trade-offs of opening centers earlier. Acker acknowledged staffing will be challenging but said the department has real-estate solutions and hoped to have a clearer plan next week.
Key quote: Director Acker said, “We have to have a full...an adequate solution by December 1 no matter what. We will be judged on the beds that we have on December 1.”
Operational constraints and next steps: The committee heard that 345 Main’s second-floor sprinkler issue is substantive (the state fire marshal called for a new sprinkler system), which affects how much of that building can be used immediately. Staff will follow up on transportation options (including whether Connecticut Transit buses can be deployed as a backstop), staffing needs and the cost implications of earlier openings; the director said he would return with more information and that some breakthroughs were expected in the coming week. The committee asked staff to keep council members informed as placements are finalized.
What committee did not decide: No formal action was taken to select a site or authorize additional funding; staff said some options may be brought forward for operational decisions once logistics and funding implications are clearer.
Next step: Staff will continue site assessments and return with more detailed proposals, with an emphasis on meeting a capacity target by Dec. 1.
