Conn. Builders Present Charity Proceeds

The Connecticut Building Congress presented a ceremonial check for $39,936 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven at the industry association's recent Holiday Gala. The congress also presented a check for $3,993 to the Connecticut Building Congress Scholarship Fund.

The funds came from proceeds raised at the ninth annual Robert J. LeFloch Memorial Golf Outing, principally sponsored by Edgewood Realtors in New Haven. The scholarship fund gets its support from members of the design and construction industry in Connecticut. It provides scholarships to undergraduate students studying architecture, engineering, construction management, and other related fields.

Financing for Housing Projects

The Community Preservation Corporation, a nonprofit mortgage lender specializing in financing multi-family housing throughout New York and New Jersey, has partnered with Westchester County, New York State, and Bethel Homes to transform the former Bethel Methodist home in Ossining, N.Y., into 50 affordable independent-living apartments for seniors.

Rehabilitating the three-story brick building, now known as the Pines at Narragansett, involved upgrading all bathrooms and installing kitchenettes. Other improvements include a new roof, refurbished elevators, and an upgrade of all common areas. CPC provided $2.75 million of the total $4.75 million budget in construction and permanent loans, with the rest coming from a Westchester County grant program.

In upstate New York, CPC affiliate Downtown Neighborhood Development and the city of Buffalo have combined to help revitalize the city's downtown area, signing a two-year agreement to assess and monitor market potential for housing. The affiliate will also formulate, implement, and oversee a process to encourage development of housing and related mixed-use projects. Among its first priorities is redevelopment of two blocks on Main Street, including financing the $2.5 million gut rehabilitation of six historic structures along the 800 block.

Craftsmanship Awards Presented

The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York recently presented its Craftsmanship Awards at the group's 219th anniversary celebration. The event paid tribute to the role of steel in the building of New York City and featured the dedication of the World Trade Center Monument to Steel, a large steel remnant of the trade center that has been donated to the General Society for inclusion in its museum collection.

The Craftsmanship Awards were presented to: Charles Thornton, founding principal of Thornton-Tomasetti Group; William Thornton, president of Cives Engineering; John Cavanagh, former president and CEO of AMEC Construction Management; Robert Stewart, president of American Steel Erectors; and Bill Colavito, president of Iron Workers Local 455.

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