Businesses to sponsor landscaping of Ansonia Armory grounds

Ansonia Armory on State Street./ Contributed photo

ANSONIA – Mayor David S. Cassetti announced today three businesses have agreed to sponsor an extensive landscaping and beautification project involving the Ansonia Armory grounds located on State Street.

The sponsors include Regional Water Authority, Southern Connecticut Dental Group, and ION Bank. 

Each entity is contributing $2,500 for the needed makeover.

“The armory is a classic art deco renaissance-like structure and city landmark. Unfortunately, it has forever had a bland-looking campus. It is about to get a dramatic makeover almost overnight,” Cassetti said.

“Our hope is that when residents and visitors are looking up at the armory, it will now be  aesthetically pleasing."

The Phase I landscaping will include:

• Permanent removal of invasive vegetation; 
• Planting entire area with creeping vinca vine;
• Planting of combined (15) Canadian hemlocks, dogwood, and cherry trees;
• Planting rose bushes and other perennial flowers at the cannon base monument and throughout;
• Replacement of a 150-foot length of eroding fence with a new black chain link fence atop the cement wall alongside North Main Street

Once completed, the grounds will only require occasional maintenance of ivy edging, tree pruning ,and other light gardening, thus reducing Public Works manpower hours there by 80 percent each summer.  

The city will pursue an extended similar landscaping with a Phase II, possibly this fall or next year, which will continue an additional 150 feet along North Main Street to Assumption Church. 

Also planned are large vertical cloth banners to drape the front façade reading ANSONIA ARMORY and GORDON-VISELLI POST 50.

“The grounds makeover is expected to take two weeks and should be completed by end of May,” said Greg Martin, director of constituent services for the city. 

The landscaping contract has been awarded to D & J Landscaping of Trumbull.

In 2000, the state turned over the use, maintenance, and property ownership to the City of Ansonia for $1.

Ansonia previously received a $500,000 state grant to complete an extensive building exterior restoration including pointing, brick replacement/cleaning and masonry work – which began in fall 2017 and is expected to be completed this summer. 

Constructed in the early 1920s, the armory was home to the National Guard for more than 60 years and was the training facility for personnel involved with the national security Nike Missile Site, located in Ansonia, during the 1950s/1960s Cold War. 

In addition, its expansive gymnasium hosted numerous fundraiser events over the years including annual firemen and policemen balls, Polio Cure Benefits for the President Roosevelt Foundation, auto and electronic shows and high school dances.

Today it is still used as home of the Valley Arts Council and Gordon-Viselli Post 50 headquarters while the gym remains active for youth basketball, YMCA summer children programs, practice location for cheerleading and baseball, and city political functions.

A permanent sign marker will be installed at the site to acknowledge the sponsors involved with providing the beautification project funding.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be announced soon. 

On a similar note, the pilot planting of perennial lavender Russian Sage and Creeping Phlox will begin May 2 as part of last fall’s removal of invasive plants atop a 250-foot stretch of historic granite walls near East Main Street. 

Based on its success, up to another half mile of walls could be targeted for future plantings.

This is a press release from the City of Ansonia.