With only a small brass sign reading "The Times Square," countless tourists and theater goers probably never notice the 652-room supportive-housing complex managed by Common Ground Community.

Plans for Common Ground's takeover of the Seth Chauncey Hotel (a.k.a. the Hotel Hooker) and the neighboring Nathan Hale are gathering steam.

There is a planned closing on the purchase of the properties by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority in 30 to 40 days. The CHFA would then lease the beleaguered Willimantic hotel to Common Ground.

Curious about the real-world application of the housing model, some Windham selectmen traveled nearly 300 miles round trip Thursday to tour two Manhattan hotels managed by Common Ground.

In addition, they journey to a similar site in Middletown, known as Liberty Commons, managed by the Connecticut-based Connection Inc.

Four selectmen - Tom DeVivo, Tom Millerd, Tom White and Deborah Noble - toured through Manhattan.

First Selectman Michael Paulhus and Selectman Joseph Marsalisi traveled as far as the Middletown site before heading back to Windham.

"The Times Square is the model," said Common Ground's Cathy San Fan Andre, who gave selectmen a tour of the hotel. "Any building we do will be reflective of what's here."

Built in 1922, the once glamorous Times Square fell under disrepair and became a flophouse until Common Ground, headed by West Hartford native Rosanne Haggerty, took the property over in 1991.

With a grand marble staircase, gilded fixtures, artwork by tenants throughout the building and tight security, the Times Square is an impressive model.

Selectmen toured The Times Square, accompanied by San Fan Andre as well as Alana Smith Trani, project manager of the Willimantic site.