Renaissance Downtowns may be down, but it’s not out. The developer hasn’t backed off its long-term $280 million plan for Depot Square, despite a consultant’s dim view of the project.
Instead, Renaissance has two alternatives before the Bristol Downtown Development Corp. to get the project underway before the May 26, 2015, deadline for starting construction. And members of the BDDC, the nonprofit group created to oversee the 15 acres remaining for development, are keen to see if it’s possible to work out an acceptable deal to retain Renaissance.
Jennifer Arasimowicz, the chairwoman of the BDDC’s board, called it “a controversial subject” that deserves careful scrutiny. She said the BDDC will hear from the public at a hearing sometime in mid-September and will make its recommendation to the City Council in October. The council will have the final say. Both Renaissance plans require public financing. Option A calls for construction of a 100-unit, market-rate apartment building parallel to the railroad tracks near Main Street. It would require $6 million in public funds to help cover an $18 million price tag. Option B, which the BDDC asked Renaissance to provide, would instead begin the project with a 138-apartment building whose first floor would be entirely devoted to retail shops, restaurants or other commercial uses. A $1 million public piazza would be created behind the structure, which would face Main Street. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
SOUTHINGTON — Construction work at the town’s middle schools will not affect the start of school next week. The work this summer is part of ongoing $89.7 million renovation project. Construction will continue right up until the start of school on Aug. 28. “There was so much work done this summer, it’s difficult until you step back to see pieces coming together,” said Fred Cox, a town consultant on the project, during a meeting of the Middle School Building Committee Tuesday. “Contractors will be working right up to the eleventh hour.” Kennedy Middle School Principal Steve Madancy said contractors were working “weekends, nights, you name it.” “They all deserve a pat on the back,” he added Construction is in its second year with the project scheduled for completion in late 2016. Dave Girardini and Mike Pane, both of Newfield Construction, gave a progress report to the building committee. Girardini said many of the new areas at DePaolo are being cleaned for the start of school, including the parking lots. Newfield is the project manager Pane said that a lot of cleaning is also being finished in the new classrooms at Kennedy. “Movers start tomorrow to start moving desks and items in,” Pane said. A technology package for the schools was also recently approved by the state Department of Education. It includes smart projectors, wireless access points and shelving for new media centers at both schools. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
PLAINVILLE — A developer's recent interest in converting former Linden Street School into housing for the elderly could spare the shuttered school from demolition But comments Monday night by developer Ted Lazarus did not deter the council from a unanimous 7-0 vote approving an ordinance authorizing the sale of bonds to pay for the $2.6 million demolition and from scheduling a referendum vote on the demolition in November. That gives the developer time to make a detailed proposal if research convinces him that the project makes sense, council member Christopher Wazorko said Tuesday. "While we did vote to send demolition to referendum, I think the council would be open to reconsider if the developer comes back with a feasible proposal," Wazorko said. "I know I would. It's a win-win if he can make something of the building." Lazarus, of Park Lane Group LLC of Litchfield, said Tuesday that he learned about the former Linden Street School on Monday before the meeting, had a quick tour and concluded it may be a good candidate for renovation into housing. "I would have had more details for the council if I'd hadn't learned of this property Monday," Lazarus said. "By all indications, it's a wonderful building to consider for elderly housing. It's worth a second life." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Advocates to candidates: Find money for CT's transportation network
Transportation advocates challenged Connecticut gubernatorial candidates to support increased funding to overhaul the state’s aging infrastructure – even if it likely means tax increases or tolls.
The coalition of nearly three dozen -- including construction trades and businesses, seven chambers of commerce, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and numerous regional planning agencies – also challenged the candidates to participate this fall in a debate on transportation issues.
“Connecticut’s next governor has two choices: provide safe and efficient transportation, or allow our infrastructure to crumble,” Don Shubert, president of the Connecticut Construction Industries Association, said during a late morning press conference at Union Station in Hartford. “Maintaining the aging system of roads, bridges and rail lines in a state of good repair is critical for the safety and reliability of the system that the vast majority of the traveling public are using every day.”
A number of signs point to a potential transportation crisis in Connecticut’s near future, advocates said: CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Advocates to candidates: Find money for CT's transportation network
Transportation advocates challenged Connecticut gubernatorial candidates to support increased funding to overhaul the state’s aging infrastructure – even if it likely means tax increases or tolls.
The coalition of nearly three dozen -- including construction trades and businesses, seven chambers of commerce, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and numerous regional planning agencies – also challenged the candidates to participate this fall in a debate on transportation issues.
“Connecticut’s next governor has two choices: provide safe and efficient transportation, or allow our infrastructure to crumble,” Don Shubert, president of the Connecticut Construction Industries Association, said during a late morning press conference at Union Station in Hartford. “Maintaining the aging system of roads, bridges and rail lines in a state of good repair is critical for the safety and reliability of the system that the vast majority of the traveling public are using every day.”
A number of signs point to a potential transportation crisis in Connecticut’s near future, advocates said: CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE