October 7, 2013

CT Construction Digest October 7, 2013

Bridgewater move from Westport hits snag

The developer of a Stamford waterfront property, whose plan to build a boatyard is part of a larger project to relocate Bridgewater Associates' headquarters from its Westport campus, has withdrawn the proposal. Building and Land Technology, facing a likely vote by Stamford's Planning Board, withdrew a controversial license agreement that sought permission to use city land to build a six-acre boatyard in the Shippan area of the city. Approval of the agreement was needed for BLT to proceed with needed land-use approval for an additional million-plus square feet in commercial space to build a $750 million headquarters for Bridgewater Associates on a 14-acre South End parcel, where the developer illegally demolished a 14-acre boatyard.

Newtown voters approve $49M for new school

NEWTOWN -- Voters turned out Saturday to accept a $49.25 million state appropriation to demolish Sandy Hook Elementary School and design and construct a new school on the Dickinson Drive site.
The state money will also fund buying two parcels of adjacent land for a new entrance to the school.
The vote was 4,504 yes to 558 no. The registrar of voters said Saturday's referendum had the highest voter turnout the town has seen since the 2008 presidential election. "I'm very happy that it passed, and passed significantly," said Legislative Council Chairman Jeff Capeci. "I had a feeling it would. Now we can move forward with the new school. This is great for the town. We can bring our children home."

Danbury area construction jobs slowly come back

DANBURY -- As the market for construction jobs slowly climbs out of the Great Recession, employment in that sector still lags below the levels of a few years ago, in part because it's increasingly difficult to find skilled craftsmen. "You would think after the recession that all you have to do is snap your fingers and applicants would be lined up on your doorstep," said Tony Gorin, the owner of Windowland in Newtown. "But it's not like that. It's getting difficult to find the kind of skilled labor that's qualified for the job and can do the work." Before the economic downturn, Gorin said, he had about 30 people on the payroll. Today he has about one-third of the workers he once employed.

Putnam High School renovation approaching

The Putnam High School renovation project is moving forward.
Bids for several parts of the project will be opened next week, and Town Administrator Douglas Cutler is applying for the short-term borrowing needed to start the project.
“We’re going out for temporary borrowing to get the construction started while we get our long-term financing in place,” Cutler said. The high school project, approved by referendum voters in the spring, is anticipated to cost about $36.6 million. The town has since applied for construction approval with the state, which would garner about $20.1 million in reimbursement.Cutler said the hope is the Legislature will approve the construction during its next session, which would allow the renovations to begin in June once school is out.“It’s a renovation,” Cutler said. “As much as can be done during the summer, the better.”

Flatbush Ave closure delayed one day

WEST HARTFORD — Due to inclement weather, a portion of Flatbush Avenue that is slated to close for up to 21 days will not be closed until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, according to the state Department of Transportation.Flatbush Avenue is scheduled to be closed on either side of New Park Avenue – to Newfield on the east side and Ahern Street on the west – while crews complete stage three of the Flatbush Avenue bridge project.The work, which is part of the CTfastrak busway project, could close the road for as long as 21 days. New Park Avenue will remain open during that time.
"The contractor has 21 days to complete this work, however it is their intention to complete the work sooner," said Christopher Zukowski, a project engineer with CTfastrak. Weather and other unknown factors could delay the work, he said.

Federal program to help fund bridge replacement in Harwinton

Harwinton >> The process of replacing a single-lane bridge on Shingle Mill Road has begun with the announcement of support from the state Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Federal Bridge Program.First Selectman Mike Criss said that Harwinton was accepted into the Federal Bridge Program in early August. As part of the program, the federal government has pledged to cover 80 percent of the repair costs and the town is responsible for the remaining 20 percent.
This bridge, which is at least 50 years old and was built when Henry Camp was in office, is, “one of the ones that needed it,” said Criss. The project, which is still in the early design phase, could cost up to $800,000. Criss said the town puts away money for these kinds of repairs and it will be able to cover its share of the repair costs.

The shutdown and what contractors should know

The fiscal year (FY) 2013 appropriations law funding federal government expired on September 30. Because the House and Senate failed to enact any of their 12 annual appropriations for FY 2014, Congress must pass a continuing resolution (CR) to allow government operations to remain open on October 1 and beyond. At the request of some House and Senate conservatives, the House passed a CR that would fund the government at FY 2013 sequestration levels through December 15 and defund Obamacare. The Senate-passed CR would also fund the government at FY 2013 sequestration levels through December 15, but, in contrast, provides funding for Obamacare. The failure by lawmakers to reach an agreement on a CR for FY 2014 has resulted in a federal government shutdown.