Groton - The construction of a small neighborhood of single-family homes and duplexes that will offer independent living for those 55 and older is almost completed - and almost sold out. Fairview, Odd Fellows Home of Connecticut is building 23 new homes on its 70-acre property that offers spectacular views of the Thames River, Gold Star Memorial Bridge and New London skyline, and 19 have been snapped up. By the time the first "members" move in later this spring, it's anticipated that contracts on the final four will have been executed. Then Fairview will turn its attention to the second phase of Thames Edge, construction of another 17 Nantucket-inspired independent homes on its sprawling campus. "There is strong demand for the homes and their value proposition," said James Rosenman, chief executive officer and administrator of Fairview, which was founded 122 years ago by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge as a nonprofit senior housing and health care provider. Fairview is a still a nonprofit, but today, membership in the Odd Fellows is no longer a requirement for admission. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING
Explosion a reminder on NYC's aging infrastructure
New York - Even while the cause remains unknown, a deadly blast that leveled two buildings served by a 127-year-old gas main has provided a jarring reminder of just how old and vulnerable much of the infrastructure is in New York and many other cities nationwide. A detailed report issued only a day before Wednesday's explosion in East Harlem estimates that $47 billion is needed for repairs and replacement over the next five years to spare New York from havoc. Nationally, the projected bill - for bridges, highways, mass transit and more - is almost incalculable. Just upgrading the nation's water and wastewater systems is projected to cost between $3 trillion and $5 trillion over the next 20 years, according to the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a conservative Washington think tank.
Politicians often shy away from blunt talk about infrastructure, but it was in the spotlight Thursday as investigators sought to determine how and why a suspected natural gas leak triggered the explosion, which destroyed two apartment buildings, killed at least eight people and injured more than 60.
The gas pipe serving the building included a cast iron section dating from 1887, and a nearby water main was built in 1897. Federal investigators said the water main broke but it was unknown if that contributed to the gas explosion or was caused by it, and it was unknown whether the gas pipe played any role in the explosion. It was nonetheless upsetting for some New Yorkers to be reminded that Consolidated Edison, the natural gas supplier for East Harlem and much of the rest of the city, makes extensive use of 19th-century piping. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING
224-unit apartment complex for Manchester
Construction of a 224-unit apartment complex is under way in Manchester by the same landlord who developed the nearby Evergreen Walk open air-retail complex, Buckland Hills mall and surrounding apartments, authorities say. First Niagara Bank announced Thursday it agreed to fund a $27.6 million construction loan to Manchester-based Evergreen Crossing LLC to erect The Broadleaf at 325 New State Road. Evergreen Crossing LLC's principal is John Finguerra, developer of both Evergreen Walk and, decades earlier, The Shoppes at Buckland Hills mall and much of the surrounding commercial-residential sites around it, including some 1,000 apartment units. The 29-acre complex will consist of six buildings, with 57 one-bedroom and 167 two-bedroom apartments. Residents will have access to 72 carport spaces and 432 open-air parking slots. Rents will be market rate, officials said.
Finguerra's project manager, Steve Goodman, pegged the development's full cost at $34.6 million. The first building is set for completion around November, with lease up starting soon after. Thereafter, each successive building will follow a staggered, 30-day completion schedule, Goodman said. Pilot Construction of New Hampshire is erecting the buildings. Total Access Construction is the site contractor. Fuss & O'Neill is engineer. Manchester's FHLB Architects designed the structures.
Construction of Simsbury Big Y nears
Big Y Supermarkets is closer to erecting its first Simsbury store, in the town's north end, officials say.
The Massachusetts grocer has gotten nearly all necessary town approvals to invest $12 million in a 53,000-square-foot store at 1313 Hopmeadow St., former site of the Wagner Ford dealership, Town Planner Hiram Peck and Big Y said this week. Among remaining clearances is for the chain to retrieve a building permit to get started with construction, Peck said. The site also will have parking for about 200 vehicles. "We're hopeful that if this starts now, they'll be open this fall,'' he said.
But Matt D'Amour, Big Y's director of store development, said Thursday that appears unlikely. Both store-construction and opening timetables remain up in the air, while the grocer secures several easements and finalizes permitting with the town and the state. "We would hope that it would be no later than 2015,'' D'Amour said. The grocer broached plans back in 2011 for the Simsbury store, which would employ 125 full- and part-time workers. Though its zoning application and other use reviews went smoothly, the retailer has been held up as it works out an easement from neighboring International Skating Center at 1375 Hopmeadow St., Peck said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING
Wetlands agency OK's high-end development in Rocky Hill
ROCKY HILL – The town wetlands agency has granted a permit to develop a 10-lot high-end residential subdivision at the Oleski family farm property on France Street.
Mapped wetlands, including two branches of Sawmill Brook, comprise about one-quarter of the 22.4-acre site. The subdivision is planned under regulations for environmentally sensitive sites with challenging topography that allow for smaller lots, less required frontage and with a minimum of 40 percent open space maintained. Plans submitted — and subsequently revised by — the developer, Rocky Hill Development Co. LLC, call for 61 percent of the development to be kept as open space. In addition to Sawmill Brook, which forms part of the Mattabesset River watershed, the property includes a section of wooded swamp and a seasonal vernal pool.
The developers who have an agreement to purchase the property plan to retain the Oleski home at 395 France St. and add nine new home lots, which will be accessed via a new roadway, Sawmill Drive, to be constructed off France Street. The roadway will feature a pre-cast concrete bridge that will span the main stem of the brook along an existing gravel drive, replacing two 42-inch culverts. The stream bank will be graded and stabilized. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING
NEW HAVEN >> Some residents who live near the proposed Route 34 West corridor development proposal told members of the Board of Alders Legislation Committee Thursday night they are concerned about more cars and a large parking garage coming into their neighborhood.
The board will be asked to approve zoning changes for the 16.2 acres of the project, which would extend from Dwight to Tyler streets. One of the new zoning districts would allow for denser mixed-use retail, commercial development and medical mixed-use. The other would allow for mixed-use retail, residential and office development. The centerpiece of the project would be a new home for Continuum of Care Inc., a not-for-profit provider for persons with psychiatric and developmental disabilities. Their headquarters would occupy a 5.5 acre block. The new development, to be developed by Centerplan Development Co., would include construction of a parking garage for about 800 cars. City Plan Director Karyn Gilvarg, who presented the plan to the committee, noted city officials have held at least 10 community meetings to gather public input about the project. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING
The board will be asked to approve zoning changes for the 16.2 acres of the project, which would extend from Dwight to Tyler streets. One of the new zoning districts would allow for denser mixed-use retail, commercial development and medical mixed-use. The other would allow for mixed-use retail, residential and office development. The centerpiece of the project would be a new home for Continuum of Care Inc., a not-for-profit provider for persons with psychiatric and developmental disabilities. Their headquarters would occupy a 5.5 acre block. The new development, to be developed by Centerplan Development Co., would include construction of a parking garage for about 800 cars. City Plan Director Karyn Gilvarg, who presented the plan to the committee, noted city officials have held at least 10 community meetings to gather public input about the project. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE READING