City officials are waiting for one document before the state approves the demolition of 116 Cook Ave. and it can finalize hiring a contractor. The city received $2 million to demolish the building, and the City Council approved bonding $25 million to build the new center. The city has not set aside money for the demolition. Officials said the project could attract state funding if the building is gone and the site is shovel-ready. Before building on a capped area of the Cook Avenue site, environmental engineers will identify the extent to which remediation will be needed, which will be factored into the project cost, city officials explained. Senior Center Building Committee Chairman Bruce Fontanella said last month that 12 architects have submitted proposals and city officials will choose three finalists. Later this month, the building committee will get the final selection. Once the three firms are selected, a request for proposals will be drafted, and the City Council will choose the architect and pay for the design.
https://www.ctinsider.com/recordjournal/article/meriden-116-cook-demolition-senior-health-center-19623425.php