STAMFORD -- The city's largest developer urged officials Wednesday night to reverse a 2012 stop-work order blocking work on a boatyard, arguing that demolishing the boating facility did not require zoning board clearance or other local approvals. James Knuff, a Milford land-use attorney, told the Zoning Board of Appeals that the stop-work order issued in July 2012 overstepped the city's authority to regulate land use based on of the 2007 zoning approval for the Harbor Point complex that required continuous operation of a boatyard on the 14-acre parcel. "The condition is a ridiculous imposition on the rights to use their property," Knuff said. --¦ My client (Building and Land Technology) has a right to use his property and use it in an economic viable and profitable way ... CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING
Danbury gives tax breaks to downtown developer
DANBURY -- The City Council on Tuesday overwhelming approved a seven-year tax deferral for the company that plans to take over development of the former Amphenol property on Kennedy Avenue. A similar deferral had previously been granted to BRT Corp., which plan to construct 586 condominium units on the site, but whose plans, once seen as a highlight of the downtown revitalization efforts, stalled as a result of the 2008 recession. BRT is planning to sell the property to Greystar, a Virginia-based developer and management company, which plans to build 375 one-, two- and three-bedroom units in three separate buildings. Construction could begin as soon as this summer and be finished in 2-to-2-1/2 years, Greystar director David Lee said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING
Route 147 plans on schedule
MIDDLEFIELD >> Construction plans are on schedule for the new bridge along Route 147 between Cherry Hill Road and Lyman Road, state transportation officials said Wednesday. The bridge will benefit from a state and federally funded $1.7 million face lift that looks to replace the current structure with two 12-foot travel lanes and two four-foot shoulders in both directions. Construction began back in May on the fixture, which extends over the Coginchaug River. Kevin Nursick, spokesman for the Connecticut Department of Transportation, said one side of the bridge – the north side – is complete and currently open. Construction on the south side is now being worked on and is progressing nicely, with temporary signals in place at each end to alternate the traffic flow.
Nursick said that even with the latest blast of winter weather, he doesn’t foresee any problems with the bridge being completed by April 2015. “So far, so good,” said Nursick. “We’ve had no major issues or experienced anything out of the ordinary.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING
Southington officials tour ESPN expansion
SOUTHINGTON — ESPN welcomed town officials, state representatives and community leaders to join them in celebrating the opening of the company’s first building in Southington during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday morning. The Welcome Center, on the south end of the 966,349 square-foot campus, is ESPN’s 17th building. For those visiting ESPN, the 5,600-square-foot building will serve as a gateway to the campus. Visitors are greeted by an employee at the front desk, multiple TVs displaying ESPN broadcasts and a seating area. Executive Vice President Ed Durso, said ESPN has had a long relationship with the town but hopes to increase that with the expansion in Southington. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING
Groton to decide fate of former middle school
Groton - The Board of Education wants to turn the former Fitch Middle School over to the town, and town leaders must now decide what to do with it. The board closed the school in June 2012 to consolidate from three middle schools to two and save money. After Fitch Middle closed, the town's parks and recreation department started using the gym, and other groups such as the Fitch High School robotics club and Groton Regional Theater expressed interest in using it. But expanding use of the building may not be easy. The school board learned earlier this winter that so much time has gone by since the school closed that it could not be used as classroom "swing space" during future construction unless the building was first brought up to fire code. chool board member Pat Doyle said she didn't know how much that would cost, but it would be significant.Because of this and the cost of maintaining the building, she said the school board voted Nov. 12 to turn it over to the town, notifying Town Manager Mark Oefinger of its decision Dec. 1. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING
Keney Park Golf Course will undergo major renovation in 2014
Keney Park Golf Course will be closed this year because of a renovation project that is intended to transform the battered links in Hartford's North End into an enhanced golfing terrain.
"We're hoping to get started on it as soon as the snow goes away in March or early April," said Matthew Dusenberry, a Milwaukee-based golf course architect whose Dusenberry Design firm was selected two weeks ago from eight applicants to renovate Keney Park GC. om Baptist, superintendent for Hartford's department of public works, said Wednesday major improvements are needed at Keney Park GC, which is owned by the city of Hartford and located in the city and also in neighboring Windsor. Baptist said about 1,000 rounds were played at Keney Park GC last year, which "was a precipitous drop from previous years." The closing of Keney Park GC was first reported by Anthony Pioppi at TheAposition.com. Dusenberry said proposed improvements include repair of the turf of the greens, fairways and tee boxes, sand traps, cart paths and irrigation system. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING