KENT- For decades the Old Kent Town Hall was home to the Kent Police Department, Kent Town Court in addition to the municipality’s governmental center.

When police and governmental offices relocated to the town’s municipal complex on Sybil’s Way two decades ago, the old building fell into disrepair.

Now thanks to State Senator Peter Harckham a $100,000 state grant will allow the town to install an energy-efficient HVAC system and EV charging stations as part of renovations and modernization of the historic building. 

Harckham said the investment would “bring new life to a historic building and provide efficient EV charging, while advancing our shared commitment to clean energy and community resilience. The important financial support can help save local taxpayers money both in the short-term and in the long-term.” 

Kent Supervisor Jaime McGlasson thanked Harckham on Friday: “We intend to use half of the funds for an HVAC system at our Community Center, currently under renovation, and half to build EV charging stations. The generous funding provided for these two projects will positively impact the lives of our residents.”

The Old Town Hall is a 3,616-square-foot building constructed in 1950. When the new town center opened in 2004, the building became vacant. Kent officials plan to fully renovate the structure to serve residents as a flexible community hub powered by renewable energy and energy-efficient infrastructure.

The renovation of the Old Town Hall aligns with other clean-energy initiatives underway in Kent, including the installation of the EV chargers at the Kent Library and the current Kent Town Hall. Once complete, the project will reflect the town’s long-term commitment to sustainability, resilience, and smart reinvestment in existing infrastructure.