Hartford, Conn. (December 11, 2002) -- Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc. (CPBI), parent company of Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) and Connecticut Public Radio (WNPR), and Trinity College have agreed on terms for the sale of the CPBI property and facility located at 240 New Britain Avenue, Hartford, to Trinity College. The purchase and sale agreement, completed after negotiation and review by CPBI and College representatives, stipulates a $10 million purchase price, to be paid at a closing date on or before October 1, 2004.  The sale of the building to Trinity College provides CPBI with an answer to its need to invest heavily in upgrading CPTV’s broadcast operations to meet FCC digital conversion regulations, with the funds being used to purchase, renovate and relocate to 1049 Asylum Avenue in Hartford.

As stated by Trinity College President Richard H. Hersh, "The CPBI building, with its strategic location at the corner of New Britain Avenue and Summit Street entrance to the College, presents the College with an important one-time opportunity to enhance its academic program space and complete the southwest corner of its 100-acre campus.  We are evaluating the best and most appropriate use of this space, which presently includes 55,000 square feet of studio and office space. Trinity has had a longtime relationship with both CPTV and WNPR as an important longtime friend, neighbor and valued partner in furthering quality education.  We hope that they will enjoy an enhanced future in their new facility."

"We're grateful to Trinity College for providing us with this exceptional opportunity," said Jerry Franklin, President and Chief Executive Officer of CPBI.  "The College gave birth to public television in Connecticut 40 years ago. Without its support, we would be a very different organization today; much of the success of CPTV and WNPR has been a reflection of their assistance, encouragement and collaboration. With this opportunity they are helping us secure our future in the ever-changing world of digital TV by supporting our pursuit of a state-of-the-art broadcast facility.  We’re looking forward to the move to the Asylum Hill neighborhood and becoming an involved member of the community."

CPBI’s new site at 1049 Asylum Avenue is located in the Asylum Hill area of Hartford, directly across the street from St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center.  The property was built in 1967 by IBM and has been vacant since 1997.  The site is 2.75 acres, and the building is approximately 62,000 square feet (six floors of approximately 10,000 square feet each).  In addition, CPBI intends to build two state-of-the-art TV studios in a new 5600 square foot structure adjacent to the existing 1049 Asylum Avenue building.

Construction of CPBI’s new facility is being managed by Konover Construction.  Jeter, Cook & Jepson are the lead architects for the project, with Janson Design Group working as the broadcast architects.  

“I’m delighted that Connecticut Public Broadcasting will remain part of the Hartford landscape,” said Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez.  “In addition to the value they provide to all of the citizens of Connecticut, they have been an integral member of the Hartford community.  I wish them the best of luck as they embark on this new chapter in their history.”  

One of the older colleges in America today, Trinity College is an independent, nonsectarian liberal arts college founded in 1823. As a residential college in the heart of the city, Trinity offers its 1,900 full-time undergraduate students a rigorous liberal arts curriculum as well as applied, experiential learning opportunities in an urban environment. It is consistently ranked among the nation’s best liberal arts colleges.

Since its inception at Trinity College in 1962, Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc. (CPBI), has grown from a single station with one videotape machine to a statewide community-supported network with five television stations (CPTV) and four radio stations (WNPR).  Operating with a $28 million budget, the nonprofit network houses production studios and offices in Hartford, with an additional radio studio located in New Haven.  CPBI remains dedicated to its original mission: “To add value to people's lives through programs and services that inform, educate, entertain and inspire audiences in Connecticut and beyond.”