College buys building in downtown Hartford
PHOTO: COSTAR, INC.
Trinity finalized in January the purchase of downtown Hartford’s 200 Constitution Plaza in a long-term, strategic move that aligns with the College’s goals of urban engagement and collaborative partnerships in Hartford.
A downtown footprint will allow Trinity to connect students with the heart of the city and its endless possibilities for internships, educational partnerships, and interactive learning. It opens the door to new relationships for the entire community, including faculty, staff, and local alumni.
The five-story, 135,000-square-foot building once housed The Travelers Companies as its corporate training and educational facility and is well suited to educational needs, including a 200-seat amphitheater, multiple classrooms, lounge areas, a library, and a teleconference center. The size and location of the building also will enable Trinity to lease extra space that may be unused, thus providing revenue enhancement for the College.
To guide the planning process for the building’s use, the College has enlisted the help of two individuals with strong backgrounds in urban and institutional planning in higher education settings. Rachel G. Bratt, professor of urban and environmental policy and planning, emerita, from Tufts University, and Catherine Donaher, an experienced consultant in real estate development and master planning, will help Trinity develop a comprehensive plan for occupying the building.
Paul Mutone, Trinity’s vice president for finance and operations and treasurer, will be project manager, and Chief of Staff Jason Rojas and Associate Professor of Political Science Stefanie Chambers will serve as liaisons to various on- and off-campus constituencies. A forum for faculty and staff and another for students took place during the spring. Alumni and others were invited to provide feedback online.
In a letter to the Trinity community in December, when it was announced that Trinity had placed the winning bid, President Joanne Berger-Sweeney said, “I believe taking advantage of this unique opportunity moves us toward building a sustainable future for Trinity that is built on vision and integrity,” she said. “A presence for our College in downtown Hartford opens many doors for us to strengthen our campus culture, ensure academic excellence, reach financial equilibrium, and foster institutional pride. This is an exciting opportunity for us to go boldly and engage more fully with our city.”