ANSONIA – The City of Ansonia is looking for a contractor to renovate the animal shelter at 2 N. Division St.
The city put out a “request for proposals” on Nov. 24 seeking a contractor to expand and renovate the shelter. The planned renovations include the addition of a cat kennel, rearranging the current office and dog kennels, and adding a fenced-in area for dogs to run around.
Parts of the current facility will be demolished. The upgraded facility will also feature an entry lobby, an additional utility room, and a new central cooling system.
City officials have previously estimated the total cost of the project as being between $1.3 and $1.7 million, though the final number will depend on the bids the city receives.
That money is coming from a few different sources.
A capital spending plan approved in August allots $1.1 million to be borrowed for financing the project. Voters gave the city permission to borrow that money in a ballot question last year.
The state bond commission approved a $500,000 grant requested by state Rep. Kara Rochelle to go toward the project in October.
Additionally, developers John Guedes and Biagio Barone pledged in 2023 to rebuild the animal shelter. However, no dollar amount was specified. The pledge was part of a controversial deal in which Guedes purchased city land on Olson Drive for the construction of a private sports complex.
The Valley Indy obtained a copy of that pledge, which is signed by Barone and reads:
“In recognition of the City of Ansonia’s incentivization of the development project at Olson Drive, and to give back to the community, my development group pledges to rehabilitate and reconstruct the Ansonia Animal Shelter in accordance with State mandated regulations and plans drafted, as updated, by B&B Engineers.”
City corporation counsel John Marini told The Valley Indy in October that the developers will not actually rebuild the shelter as described in the pledge. Instead, they will pay $150,000 toward the project on an “as-needed basis to supplement project cost.”
The Valley Indy reached out to the developers but did not hear back.
The current animal shelter was built in 1978 and has needed repairs for years. Officials said the space is overcrowded for both workers and dogs, and it’s had issues with roof leaks and rat infestations. The new project will approximately double the facility’s size, according to economic development director Sheila O’Malley.
A walkthrough was held at the facility on Dec. 4 for interested firms. One bidder attended, according to O’Malley.
The plans for the upgraded shelter were drawn up over the course of this year by architecture firm AEPM International.
The deadline for bids is currently set for Jan. 7, 2025.
The Valley Indy reached out to Animal Control Officer Jeanie Roslonowski but was redirected to voicemail.