Public Works Director Art Simonian says several ongoing projects will be completed this summer. Those include a new kitchen and cafeteria and the new home of the English, art, business and special education departments. The amphitheater will be transformed into a TV studio. What was once the boys locker room will be converted to social studies, health and early childhood training classrooms. The former UpBeat room will be made into the school’s heating and air conditioning room. Completion of all those projects is anticipated in July, in plenty of time for the next school year. “Roofing replacement will ramp up as the weather permits,” Simonian said. “It has been somewhat slowed due to the cold weather.” The town’s furniture, fixture and equipment proposal — with an expected price tag of $4.1 million — will be sent for state approval next week, he said. The whole high school renovation project will cost more than $84 million. That includes construction of a new six-classroom technology building and complete renovation of the existing school. A $69.95 million budget was approved in 2011. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Work resumes at Meriden Hub site
MERIDEN — After a cold and snowy winter, work resumed at the Hub site last week and is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The $13 million Hub project is years in the making and initial work on the 14-acre site got underway in early January, when trees, curbing, light poles and a former bank building that stood at the southwest corner of the parcel were removed.
Hartford - The State Bond Commission approved funding for a local museum and a state park on Friday. As part of a $5.76 million bond package to fund road improvements, Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic will get $795,000 worth of road repairs. "I think that there has been a recognition for a long time that the parks are in some disrepair and need an infusion of funding to bring them up to speed, and this is a good step in that direction," said state Rep. Ed Jutila, D-East Lyme.
The funds are for resurfacing the road to the beach inside the park. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said that the roadways in many state parks and forests are showing signs of use from millions of visitors.
"In a year when we are celebrating the centennial of our state park system, it is especially important to make the investments needed to ensure that people can travel safely and conveniently into and around our parks," Malloy said. The road improvement projects are estimated to retain and create about 120 construction-related jobs, Malloy said. The projects will begin as soon as the weather permits, he said. Roads near the following locations are also scheduled to receive funding: Topsmead State Forest in Litchfield, Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield and Kellogg Environmental Education Center in Derby. "These and other previous funds that have been allocated allow us to make improvements that will ensure our parks remain first-class attractions for many years to come," said Rob Klee, commissioner of the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Permit dispute with Canterbury puts squeeze on gravel firm
A permitting dispute between the town of Canterbury and two gravel businesses has resulted in seven cases pending in civil court amid ongoing mediation efforts. First Selectman Roy Piper said the town has paid legal fees in excess of $30,000 since litigation involving LaFramboise Sand and Stone and Rawson Materials began in late 2012. LaFramboise Sand and Stone owner Wayne LaFramboise said he has spent $33,000 on legal fees while a temporary injunction issued by the court, which limits his truck hauling capabilities on Wauregan Road to 20 loads in and 52 loads out, prevents him from turning a profit.The litigation involves the use of Wauregan Road and a parallel — albeit incomplete — haul road for the import of stone products. LaFramboise said the court order makes it impossible to fulfill a contract with Putnam-based Rawson Materials that he signed in 2011. “I probably lost myself close to $300,000 in income this year,” LaFramboise said. “I had nine employees; now I have zero.” He said he operates the company with his son, Daniel. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Apartment construction starts Monday on skyscraper
The $45 million apartment conversion of downtown Hartford's former Bank of America skyscraper will begin Monday, with the hopes of moving tenants in by the end of the year.
"We have been waiting two years for this day," said Bruce Becker, the project's developer. "We are really excited about it." The project's very complex financing package closed on Friday, allowing construction to move forward. Including soft costs, the total financing package is valued at $80 million, and it includes a U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development loan and historic tax credits. The deal also includes the sale of the 777 Main St. office building for $7 million to Becker from current owner Grunberg Realty. "It took a lot of effort to go through that major underwriting process," Becker said. Viking Construction of Bridgeport will led the construction project.
The redevelopment of 777 Main St. from vacant downtown office space into 285 apartment in the 26-story building is the largest of the efforts in Hartford to create more housing in the downtown area.
Shortly after the work began, the area was hit with several snowstorms that blanketed the city. Cold temperatures left snow on the site until recently. The long winter allowed time for the general contractor, Meriden-based LaRosa Construction, to firm up its environmental remediation plans for the contaminated Brownfields site. “They are moving the topsoil and have started removing the gravel from where the parking lot was,” Public Works Director Robert Bass said. “They are doing that in preparation ... for remediation.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
The funds are for resurfacing the road to the beach inside the park. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said that the roadways in many state parks and forests are showing signs of use from millions of visitors.
"In a year when we are celebrating the centennial of our state park system, it is especially important to make the investments needed to ensure that people can travel safely and conveniently into and around our parks," Malloy said. The road improvement projects are estimated to retain and create about 120 construction-related jobs, Malloy said. The projects will begin as soon as the weather permits, he said. Roads near the following locations are also scheduled to receive funding: Topsmead State Forest in Litchfield, Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield and Kellogg Environmental Education Center in Derby. "These and other previous funds that have been allocated allow us to make improvements that will ensure our parks remain first-class attractions for many years to come," said Rob Klee, commissioner of the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Permit dispute with Canterbury puts squeeze on gravel firm
A permitting dispute between the town of Canterbury and two gravel businesses has resulted in seven cases pending in civil court amid ongoing mediation efforts. First Selectman Roy Piper said the town has paid legal fees in excess of $30,000 since litigation involving LaFramboise Sand and Stone and Rawson Materials began in late 2012. LaFramboise Sand and Stone owner Wayne LaFramboise said he has spent $33,000 on legal fees while a temporary injunction issued by the court, which limits his truck hauling capabilities on Wauregan Road to 20 loads in and 52 loads out, prevents him from turning a profit.The litigation involves the use of Wauregan Road and a parallel — albeit incomplete — haul road for the import of stone products. LaFramboise said the court order makes it impossible to fulfill a contract with Putnam-based Rawson Materials that he signed in 2011. “I probably lost myself close to $300,000 in income this year,” LaFramboise said. “I had nine employees; now I have zero.” He said he operates the company with his son, Daniel. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Apartment construction starts Monday on skyscraper
The $45 million apartment conversion of downtown Hartford's former Bank of America skyscraper will begin Monday, with the hopes of moving tenants in by the end of the year.
"We have been waiting two years for this day," said Bruce Becker, the project's developer. "We are really excited about it." The project's very complex financing package closed on Friday, allowing construction to move forward. Including soft costs, the total financing package is valued at $80 million, and it includes a U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development loan and historic tax credits. The deal also includes the sale of the 777 Main St. office building for $7 million to Becker from current owner Grunberg Realty. "It took a lot of effort to go through that major underwriting process," Becker said. Viking Construction of Bridgeport will led the construction project.
The redevelopment of 777 Main St. from vacant downtown office space into 285 apartment in the 26-story building is the largest of the efforts in Hartford to create more housing in the downtown area.