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Community Health Center seeks city lease for Main Street greenhouse to expand food security and student internships
Summary
Supporters told the Economic Development Committee that a proposed Community Health Center greenhouse on Main Street would supply seedlings for tree canopy work, provide school internships and rely on state DCD funding; staff said a lease and DCD reimbursement are needed before construction can start.
Chair Benny Lafreda opened the committee meeting on June 10 and invited public comment on a proposed greenhouse on Main Street. Yvette Highsmith, regional vice president for Community Health Center Inc., urged the committee to approve a city lease for the project, saying it would “partner with Middletown High School’s vocational agricultural program to provide internships” and produce seedlings and saplings for tree canopy work.
Krishna Winston, a North End resident, emphasized environmental, educational and workforce benefits, saying the greenhouse could supply properly raised saplings for neighborhoods that lack tree cover and offer hands‑on training. Councilman Nocera (participating online) and other supporters echoed those points.
Mark Giselle, who presented the project’s chronology and financing, said CHC applied to the Department of Community Development for $2,100,000 to cover construction and that the group seeks a 10‑year lease with five‑year renewal options to meet bonding requirements. Giselle said the project team hopes to begin work promptly and “be up in October,” contingent on finalizing the lease and DCD reimbursement. Mayor Florsheim told the committee the administration has worked with CHC and described competitive state funding and zoning changes that enabled the proposal.
Committee members asked about operations, school partnerships and project timing; CHC representatives said they will manage operations, have spoken with school and VOAG officials about programming and will include hydroponics staff during early operation. No formal lease vote took place at the June 10 meeting; staff said the item will return to committee once lease language and community‑involvement terms are finalized.
Next steps: staff will finalize lease language for committee review and timing will depend on DCD reimbursement and permit work.
