Governor Rell: $182 Million to Build

Gateway Community College

College to be a “National Model”

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that $182,730,057 for a construction contract to build the new campus of Gateway Community College in downtown New Haven is expected to gain approval when the state Bond Commission meets October 30.

The Gateway Community College campus will be a four-story structure located on Church Street in the heart of downtown at the sites of the former Macy’s and Malley’s department stores.   Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and be completed in time for the 2012 school year.  The project will encompass 360,000 square feet and will include a 600-car parking garage.  In addition, the state has completed an agreement to lease 700 spaces in New Haven’s Temple Street garage adjacent to the site.

“This project represents a gateway to academic excellence and future job growth in Connecticut,” Governor Rell said.  “The state’s commitment to building a new Gateway Community College is further proof that we are home to some of the best state colleges and universities and this investment backs that up.  Frankly, this is the right kind of investment that will give area college students the incentive to pursue a higher education in Connecticut, begin their careers in our great state and eventually raise their families here.

“Of course, the real payoff for taxpayers is all about three little words: jobs, jobs, jobs.  This college will have a prime role in the educational, economic and workforce development initiatives that will serve the students of the Greater New Haven region for generations to come.  It will be a centerpiece for the city which will provide affordable, quality education for young people and readily accessible, employment-oriented retraining for people looking for new skills or new careers.”

The new campus will be the state’s first gold-certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) public building.  The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary standard for achieving the goal of producing a new generation of buildings that are energy efficient.  The LEED designation verifies an environmentally friendly design and sustainable building construction. 

“The Gateway project will also be a model of energy efficiency for the State,” Governor Rell said.  “This stunning new campus will be a terrific asset for downtown New Haven, and will raise the bar for the rest of the nation in green building and energy design.  It reduces carbon dioxide emissions and bolsters our state’s energy initiative by purchasing clean/green electric power.”

Gateway will utilize renewable and alternative energy technologies including solar, hot water, and photovoltaics.  Gateway will maximize the use of energy efficient systems and equipment and reduce the demand on the existing energy utilities.  The average payback for LEED gold certification is approximately eight and one-half years.