Commerce Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6606
AN ACT CONCERNING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE RENOVATION
Title: OF HISTORIC MIXED-USE BUILDINGS IN THE STATE.
Vote Date: 3/22/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/18/2021
File No.: 708 (347)
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Commerce Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
HB 6606 directs the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to conduct
and submit a study relating to the Connecticut Housing Finance Authoritys Come Home to
Downtown program, which will explore revitalizing historic mixed-use buildings and what
barriers that may bring. HB 6606 also conveys the conditions that licensees and permittees
must meet to engage in outdoor dining and beverage service.
Substitute Language LCO No. 5844
The substitute language narrowed the study's scope from a general examination of economic
development issues to an analysis of a specific program with the intent of exploring its
scalability potential. Additionally, the substitute language expands the task force's purview to
include all municipalities, not just distressed ones. The substitute language also included the
provisions related to outdoor dining and the restrictions associated with permitting it.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None Expressed
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
1. Rep. Jane Garibay Rep. Jenn Leeper Rep. Quentin Phipps, Co-Chairs, Main
Street Working Group: They submitted joint written testimony in support of this bill.
Their testimony discusses our state's potential for reviving blighted properties and
 crafting vibrant downtown spaces. As an example of innovative thinking in this area,
they highlighted the Connecticut Main Street Center's work and their initiative "Come
Home to Downtown." For the authors, this bill is a great way to begin the process
towards Connecticut's downtown resurgence.
2. Randall Collins Jr., Advocacy Manager, Connecticut Conference of
Municipalities: Mr. Collins submitted written testimony in support of this bill. Their
testimony highlighted the challenge and potential many cities and towns face when
developing often blighted properties. They noted that the bill includes a task force of
stakeholders who would conduct a thorough review of existing programs and make
recommendations about the process. They suggest that this task force has municipal
representation and business development leaders.
3. Jim Horan, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): Mr.
Horan submitted written testimony in support of this bill. In their testimony, they briefly
discussed their relationship with the Come Home to Downtown Fund. To highlight the
challenges organizations face when developing historic buildings for mixed-use, they
included a story of a former client who had to back away from the project because of
the unique obstacles of redeveloping a historic property. Despite these difficulties, they
believe that the potential of these buildings remains untapped. They strongly support
this bill which they believe will help preserve historic buildings and contribute to vibrant
downtowns.
4. Genevieve Lattimer, Executive Director, First Town Downtown: Ms. Lattimer
submitted written testimony in support of this bill. In her testimony, Ms. Lattimer
stresses the importance of real estate developers and local economic planners
recognizing the value of preserving historic buildings. She touched on the needs that
local property owners in her community have in keeping up their historic buildings.
She urged support of this bill because it will help preserve and restore historic
downtowns and main streets.
5. Patrick McMahon, CEO, Connecticut Main Street Center: Mr. McMahon provided
both written and public hearing testimony in support of this bill. In his testimony, he
discussed the pilot program called Come Home to Downtown. He explained the
various opportunities and challenges that exist relating to mixed-use development. Mr.
McMahon highlighted some of the pilot programs outcomes, including pictures and
descriptions of the projects.
6. Kent Schwendy, President & CEO, Corporation for Independent Living: Mr.
Schwendy submitted written testimony in support of this bill. CIL is a not-for-profit
development company that focuses on the restoration of the urban fabric. In his
testimony, he highlighted the various completed rehabilitation projects their company
has successfully taken on. Because of that experience, he notes the vast potential for
mixed-use development and the unique hurdles. He stresses that there is a lack of
developers with the expertise to tackle these types of projects. Mr. Schwendy views
this bill as an opportunity to identify the problems associated with renovating these
properties and find remedies. He urges the legislature to support this bill to ensure that
we dont lose these historic buildings and miss out on the economic growth
opportunities by utilizing them.
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NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
1. Francis Pickering, Executive Director, West Connecticut Council of Government:
Mr. Pickering submitted written testimony about this bill. In their testimony, they urge
the legislature to expand what is covered by the bill. As written, the bill only applies to
properties in distressed municipalities. In their view, the current language is
unnecessarily narrow and omits many buildings that could benefit from being studied.
Included in their testimony is a list of various types of buildings they believe would not
fall within the scope of the current bill language. WestCOG urges the committee to
consider broadening Section 2 within the bill to include a more comprehensive variety
of buildings.
Reported by: Peter B. Andrews Date: 4-6-21
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