Pre-Development & Adaptive Use Assessment for Edgerton Park, Carriage House and Greenhouse

The City of New Haven Parks Department is seeking proposals for architectural services to develop a Conditions Assessment Report for the EDGERTON PARK CARRIAGE HOUSE AND GREENHOUSE. The project is funded by grant funds from the Community Investment Account of the State of Connecticut, as administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Work must be done in accordance with SHPO standards and meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and be prepared by a consultant team that meets the federal qualifications standards under 36 CFR Part 61 for Historical Architect.

New Haven Parks and Edgerton Park Conservancy are working together in partnership to look at how best to repair these systems and to maximize the use of these buildings as a community resource. We are seeking assistance from a qualified historical architect for a Pre-Development Study to 1) assess the overall condition of the carriage house and greenhouses 2) provide guidance on how to retrofit the heating and cooling systems of the buildings to be compliant with the City of New Haven’s climate and energy efficiency goals, and 3) provide advice on how the buildings may be further utilized to support goals of New Haven Parks and Edgerton Park Conservancy for programming and events, including the potential to install a commercial kitchen to support events and educational programming.

The assessment resulting from this RFP would be used to guide further investment in stabilizing the buildings and redevelopment of the spaces to best meet community needs. The report will be hosted on the New Haven Parks website and a public meeting will be scheduled in partnership with Edgerton Park Conservancy to share the results and to invite the public to offer further ideas for re-envisioning the spaces.

The assessment will be required to have preliminary cost estimates in order to allow New Haven Parks to plan use of its capital funds for repairs at the buildings while also balancing the various needs that exist throughout the park system.

Edgerton park and its buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The condition of the buildings and the grounds is essential to maintaining the quality of the park. Edgerton Park Conservancy recently completed a master plan for the care and maintenance of the grounds; however, the buildings have not been comprehensively assessed and are beginning to show significant disrepair.

Of greatest concern are Edgerton Park greenhouses and the carriage house. These facilities are essential to maintaining community programming at the park. Heating systems for the greenhouses and the carriage house are showing significant signs of distress. Windows and framing need repair. Plumbing systems are becoming outdated. Due to these growing concerns, this Feasibility/Adaptive Reuse Study and Conditions Assessment Report for both buildings are necessary to have a plan for continuity of service from the buildings.