A two centuries old building was the focus of a renovation Thursday in Danbury. Honeywell and Rebuilding Together partnered to refurbish the historic McLean house on Main Street.
Mayor Mark Boughton says the building was in dire need of repair. Danbury is investing some money appropriated in a budget a couple of years ago to bring the building up to code. Boughton says he hopes to be able to turn it over in a couple of months to the Friends of the Danbury Library.
After the renovations are complete the building will become the home to the offices of the Danbury Library. Friends of the Danbury Library can store books there and will be able to hold small book fairs at the building in the future.
The WIC program moved across the street to the old jail, and that freed up this building for renovation and occupancy by another group.
More than 40 Honeywell volunteers from the company’s New York City and Rocky Hill, Conn., locations helped complete work that included adding a new heating and cooling system, a lighting retrofit, installing new flooring, renovating the bathrooms, installing a privacy fence, and painting the interior and exterior of the building.
Boughton says the work performed by volunteers of the Honeywell and Rebuilding Together initiative will make a meaningful impact on the city's revitalization efforts for the McLean house.
The McLean house was built in 1810 during the Revolutionary War era. The renovation taking place will be the first major work done on the building since the city of Danbury took ownership in 1979.
