A year ago, Governor Malloy authorized a $2.99 million grant for the construction of 12 housing units in Norfolk. On January 29 of this year, the state Bond Commission approved the grant.

“A great amen,” says Lou Barbagallo, president of the Foundation for Norfolk Living, “as in, a prayer answered.”

The foundation first applied for the grant in July 2013. “It took a long time, but that’s the way the state funding mechanism works. And it’s a lot of money. So, as a taxpayer I can respect and understand that,” says Barbagallo.

The 12 rental units will be spread across five buildings along Route 44. The foundation either owns the properties already (three were donated outright in December 2015 by the Burr family) or is in the process of buying them. All are within easy walking distance of the downtown center.

The approval of the grant by the Bond Commission is an important step. “What it means is that we can feel some confidence in moving ahead with construction, knowing that the money will be there,” says Barbagallo. “Right now we’re working with the contractor to finalize the construction numbers and design details.”

The foundation hopes to start construction in April or May, and the conversion is expected to take about a year. The plans call for two one-bedroom units, seven two-bedroom units and three three-bedroom units.

“We still have to get together with the Department of Housing for a formal execution of the grant, a document signing,” says Barbagallo. “It’s a procedural detail that needs to be taken care of before money can actually be released to us.”