$33-Million School Construction

Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell was the key speaker at a groundbreaking ceremony for $32.7-million worth of additions and renovations to Howell Cheney Technical High School in Manchester, Conn., now under way by general contractor Fusco Corporation of New Haven.

Joining the governor at the ceremony were State Department of Public Works Commissioner James T. Fleming, and State Department of Education Commissioner Betty J. Sternberg, and representatives of the general contractor, architect Antinozi Associates of Stratford, Conn., and the construction administration firm, Turner Construction of Milford, N.H.

The construction project includes a new wing made up of 12 new academic classrooms, 10 new trades shops and renovations to the entire school. As part of the work, Fusco Corporation will construct 101,000 square feet of new space and renovate an additional 88,000 square feet throughout the school.

Fusco will also upgrade classrooms, administrative space, the gymnasium, kitchen, cafeteria, library, and related areas; demolish a partial shop wing; and create new parking.

Other upgrades are new heating, ventilation and air conditioning in the gym, new locker rooms, and a weight room. A public restaurant, staffed by Culinary Arts students and seating 50 persons is included in the project, which is slated for completion in September 2007.

Cheney Tech has an enrollment of 550 students and serves 24 towns in north central Connecticut.

The state Department of Public Works is responsible for the design and construction of major capital building projects (except highways and bridges) for most state agencies, leasing and acquisitions statewide, and facility management, maintenance and security of state buildings in the greater Hartford area.