Past Issues:

December 2002
November 2002
October 2002

Trinity announced last month the planned acquisition of the Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc. (CPBI) property on the southwest corner of campus at 240 New Britain Ave. The purchase and sale agreement stipulates a $10 million purchase price, to be paid at a closing date on or before October 1, 2004. The facility currently consists of 55,000 square feet of office and studio space. The College is currently evaluating the best and most appropriate use of the space. 

Facing major facility upgrades required to meet FCC digital conversion regulations, CPBI plans to vacate the building in favor of a new 62,000 square-foot site on 2.75 acres of land at 1049 Asylum Ave., across the street from St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Additionally, CPBI intends to build two state-of-the-art TV studios in a new 5,600 square-foot structure adjacent to the existing building. 

“Trinity has had a longtime relationship with both CPTV and WNPR as an important friend, neighbor, and valued partner in furthering quality education,” says Trinity President Richard H. Hersh. “We hope that they will enjoy an enhanced future in their new facility.”

Jerry Franklin, president and chief executive officer of CPBI says, “Trinity 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 Trinity’s assistance, encouragement, and collaboration. With this opportunity, Trinity is 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.”

CPTV got its start in the early sixties in a humble studio located in the basement of Trinity’s library, says Peter Knapp, college archivist and author of Trinity College in the Twentieth Century. In a spirit of partnership with CPTV, Trinity sold the 1.5-acre plot of land at the corner of New Britain Avenue and Summit Street for $1, under the provision that, if CPTV were to ever relocate, the land would revert back to the College. 

In 1971, CPTV built the facility on the corner of New Britain Avenue and Summit Street, where the network made its home ever since.

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