The public is able to review the preliminary concept designs for the reimagined Elmwood Community and Cultural Center, and rank elements of each design.

By Ronni Newton

The Town of West Hartford is planning a new Elmwood Community Center for the former St. Brigid School site, and as the feasibility study process continues, the public is being provided with multiple opportunities to provide input.

The project to reimagine property at 100 Mayflower Street that the Town of West Hartford purchased in 2021 got underway earlier this year, and consultant Tecton Architects is in the process of conducting a functional program and feasibility study that will lead to creation of the vision for a new state-of-the-art Elmwood community and cultural center – serving teens, seniors, cultural organizations, and the Elmwood branch of the public library in a flexible space that is also adjacent to Beachland Park, the town’s largest park.

A “New ECC” tab on the West Hartford Library website links to the project website, which is being updated with the status of the feasibility study that is underway with details of the events that have taken place and copies of the project plans. There is a “contact us” button which is the link to email [email protected], information about work being done by the Advisory Group, and a link to a poll/survey where members of the public can rank elements of the initial concept plans – which are illustrated in the images below – providing input regarding the potential layout of the building and its form, as well as its placement on the site.

“Your feedback is highly valued, and will be taken into consideration as the initial concepts are refined. Often, the preferred option evolves from a combination or adjustment of elements from each of the options, as it moves through an iterative design process,” the survey states.

Since being hired, Tecton has been working on the visioning process, and has collected feedback from the public at a booth at Celebrate! West Hartford, held a “Coffee Chat” at the Elmwood Senior Center, and revealed concept designs at a public event at the Elmwood Community Center in mid-September.

Tecton will be preparing a final report to include the conceptual plans and related cost estimates as part of the feasibility study, which will include recommendations regarding the existing 52,000 square foot building – with options for demolishing it and replacing it with new construction, or instead renovating and expanding the current structure.

The current concepts available for input from the public include an option for renovation with a large addition, as well as two different conceptual plans for a completely new structure on the property.

To participate in the ranking of the designs, visit the Feasibility Study webpage and click the “Survey” link at the top, or click directly on this link.

The public is also invited to attend a virtual presentation, with the opportunity for Q&A, on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 7-8 p.m. via Zoom. Click here for the link to join.

Also scheduled is a “Refining the Design” public event on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 5-8 p.m., at the Elmwood Community Center, where the community can hear more details and provide further input as the concepts for the new building are refined.

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