Politics & Government

Windsor Train Station May Become Part of Art Center

A public hearing has been set to field public input on the proposal.

The Windsor town council recently voted to set a public hearing for the purposes of fielding public input on the possibility of leasing the historic Amtrak station to the Windsor Art Center.

According to Town Manager Peter Souza, Art Center representatives approached the town about the possibility of using the space, which the town currently leases from Hartford Transit.

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The town “is acting as the owner because it’s such a long-term lease,” Souza told council members of the town’s four 10-year term lease agreement.

Per state law, the town must hold a public hearing before taking action on the sale or lease of town property.

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According to Souza, the Art Center would be required to pay utilities.

Council members did not express opposition to the Art Center’s lease of the property, however, Deputy Mayor Al Simon suggested rent be paid.

“The town has been consistently and properly generous with community groups who don’t have a lot of cash... in terms of use of properties. I guess in this case it should be recognized the opposite has occurred... Paying something above subsistence would be appropriate,” said Simon, referencing a the Art Center’s recent receipt of a $150,000 state grant last.

Councilor Bill Herzfeld was most vocal about his support for the proposal, touting the Art Center’s growth over the years.

“They’re really an asset to the town. When we get together and ask what Windsor has to offer its citizens, I think they really are a part of that... I think it’s a good addition to the Arts Center. I think it’s a good addition to the downtown area,” Herzfeld said.

A public hearing was set for April 1.

 


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