Public to Have Greater Role with State's Financial Support for Connecticut Public
/Plans by Connecticut Public - which consists of CPTV, WNPR radio, and ctpublic.org - to emphasize the “public” in Connecticut Public more visibly received a significant boost from the State of Connecticut last month.
The State awarded Connecticut Public a grant-in-aid of $3,138,673 for the Public Square Project, described as a “generational initiative” to renovate and transform its headquarters located in Hartford’s Asylum Hill neighborhood into a new reimagined “public square.” It is slated to be “a community hub that will allow Connecticut Public to share its space, technology and know‐how with the local community,” according to officials.
“We know storytelling has the power to break down barriers, unite people and build community,” said Mark G. Contreras, President and CEO of Connecticut Public. “We see the positive economic impacts this hub can have on Hartford and the community through high quality, inclusive and accessible activities, content, programs, and resources aimed at strengthening our communities.”
The new development will include the following spaces:
125-person capacity community meeting space200-seat theater with convertible space
Black box studio recording space
Prep kitchen to support various programs
Up to 20,000 sq ft. office rental space geared toward local nonprofit and small businesses
“It's exciting to see projects like this come to life to help drive economic development in Hartford and the surrounding communities,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “We are always enthusiastic for projects that provide opportunities for civic engagement, empowering entrepreneurship, improving quality of life for Connecticut residents, and growing cultural tourism.”
Connecticut Public officials point out that “as a public media organization, Connecticut Public seeks to serve as an essential source of truth and ideas, connecting people to their own communities and to the world. The project will create a reimagined public square where people gather to learn with and from each other, to encourage community engagement, and to provide a space for programming that is convenient, easy to access and informed by community interest and need.”
Connecticut Public reports that the organization reached out to residents, community organizations and businesses to help guide the development and potential use of the space. Through this input, the program model planned includes Connecticut Public community-facing programs such as screenings and conversations about locally produced documentaries or PBS programs, WNPR radio talk shows with live audiences, and community programming, as well as open houses and meet and greets with content teams.
Other opportunities include free or low cost use of the spaces for community members and organizations including space for nonprofits or local businesses to hold meetings, performances in the theater or black box, use of the recording studio and green screen, and special events in the banquet space area.
“We want to thank Governor Lamont and Speaker Ritter for their support for this effort. I also want to thank the Connecticut Public team consisting of Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Development Joe Coss, Vice President of Community Engagement Lucy Nalpathanchil and Chief Development Officer Deidre Tavera who provided significant leadership to develop this project,” Contreras added.
“This is a great investment in the City of Hartford that will contribute to the revitalization of the Asylum Hill neighborhood,” said Connecticut House Speaker Matt Ritter. “I know this will become a community hub that will provide transformational resources and opportunities to local small business, nonprofits, artists, and creators.”
The project is also expected to create opportunities for students through Connecticut Public’s internship programs which bring in 15-17 students annually. These college-level students work alongside CT Public’s journalists, content and other staff gaining real-life experience in a public media organization.
Connecticut Public employs 101 individuals in addition to providing office space for four small businesses and nonprofits at the Hartford headquarters building. Through three broadcast television stations, a broadcast radio station, and 56 digital platforms, Connecticut Public reports it reaches over 1.2 million individuals in an average week.
