East Hartford is seeking a $15 million state grant to help developers convert an obsolete 19-story office tower overlooking the Connecticut River into apartments. In a Dec. 4 special meeting, the Town Council approved an application to the state’s Community Investment Fund, a program funded by state bonding. According to a memo from East Hartford’s Deputy Development Director Steve Hnatuk, the money would help replace the exterior envelope of the 270,106-square-foot tower at 111 Founders Plaza, built in 1971. Developers plan to transform the building into about 240 apartments. The development team includes several high-profile regional players: brothers Harris and Bruce Simons of West Hartford-based Figure 8 Properties; Hartford developer Lexington Partners; investor and businessman Alan Lazowski; Hoffman Auto Group Co-Chairman Jeffrey S. Hoffman; Manafort Brothers Inc. President Jim Manafort; and Peter S. Roisman, head of Houston-based multifamily investor REV.
East Hartford seeks $15M state grant to spur Founders Plaza tower conversion
