The Danbury City Council has given final approval on paperwork to send to the state in order to accept a $1 million grant for infrastructure improvements at Richter House. The state Bond Commission already approved the funding.  Officials say it should take the Office of Policy and Management about eight months to cut the check.  Mayor Mark Boughton quipped, that is if the state isn't bankrupt by then.

The heat, the plumbing and handicap accessibility all need improvement.  Danbury has set aside $500,000 in the City's Capital Budget for renovations to the first floor of the 1920 building. 

The phases have been broken up in a way that they are self-contained, and they won't have to worry about having unfinished areas of the building.  The City will have to go out and look for funding for Phase Two and Phase Three.

The second floor will be turned into a meeting room, but Boughton says a lot of utility work is needed there.