A $2.1 million state-of-the-art Dutch-style greenhouse that advocates call a “first of its kind” in Connecticut is under construction.
The 2,640-square-foot greenhouse rising above downtown Middletown was funded primarily through a $2.1 million grant from the state’s Community Investment Fund. The Dutch-style building, located at the corner of Main and Grand streets, will serve as a community hub for education, engagement and collaboration.
The greenhouse aims to educate youth and adults about the benefits of gardening, while also alleviating food insecurity in the city. Fruits and vegetables grown at the greenhouse will be distributed to homes and schools, according to Leslie Gianelli, vice president of communications for the Moses/Weitzman Health System — the parent organization of the Community Health Center of Middletown, who is leading the project. Community Health Center has two locations at 635 Main St. and 19 Grand St.
Dutch-style greenhouses are considered high tech and energy-efficient structures originating from the Netherlands. They are known for their precision in capturing maximum sunlight, using glass, high gutters and webbed trusses to increase yields for commercial vegetables, flowers, and fruits, Gianelli said.
“This is very unique and creative, I really feel it belongs on our Main Street, because we are a community all about education, recreation and community involvement,” Middletown Mayor Gene Nocera said. “When CHC’s president Mark Masselli told us about this idea years ago, we worked to lease him that property, because it is city-owned. The greenhouse is a big building and when lit up at night, it will be quite a beautiful site. It’s really a state-of-the-art greenhouse that will give back to the community for many years to come.”
The mayor said that students in the vocational agriculture program at Middletown High School will also be able to utilize the greenhouse for learning different agriculture techniques. The greenhouse will serve many purposes, including class trips to allow students hands-on learning about hydroponics. Hydroponics is a popular growing method in urban areas because it is water-based agriculture that requires no soil.
“I think it demonstrates that what we do as a community is important and we value education,” Nocera said. “All of the produce grown will be given out to our community for free and nothing will be for profit. This really isn’t the typical greenhouse that comes to mind. Sometimes you think of a plastic greenhouse. But this is really a building made with thick high-end glass that will be a prominent fixture in the North End. We are very proud of this project and what it will do for our community.”
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected].