Mayor quietly hired consultatnt to review mall project
BRISTOL — The city quietly hired a consultant this summer to duplicate much of the job assigned to the nonprofit Bristol Downtown Development Corp., which is overseeing the revitalization of the former mall site.
The city agreed to pay $18,500 to Goman + York Property Advisors, a high-powered East Hartford firm, to provide “specific and actionable” recommendations to the City Council about how to handle proposals from Renaissance Downtowns for the Depot Square project. Mayor Ken Cockayne said he hired the firm because he “thought we needed an outside, independent review” to go over all the material from Renaissance and offer the council guidance on what to do next. “I’m doing my due diligence,” the mayor said. He said he kept the move quiet “to fend off any undue influence” on the consultant that might sway its recommendations. Cockayne said if the city is going to consider giving millions of dollars to get the Depot Square project underway, it needs some advice from experts who haven’t been involved in the process all along. Explaining its business philosophy, Goman+York says on its website that it “offers comprehensive real estate solutions to public- and private-sector clients that seek high-value marketplace advice, responsive service, tangible results and accountability.”
The mayor said he plans to call a special council meeting near the end of the month to hear from the consultant and go over what it has to say. It has not delivered a report yet, he said. Cockayne said at this point he doesn’t know how much, if any, of the information or discussion will be made public.
Renaissance is slated to provide a financial plan this month to the Bristol Downtown Development Corp. that would lay out how much taxpayer money would be needed to construct a mixed-use building along Main Street that would include street-front commercial space with market-rate apartments on the upper floors. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Construction underway for NBMAA's new wing
NEW BRITAIN — Downes Construction Co. has begun excavation on the new wing of the New Britain Museum of American Art. Pouring of concrete for the foundation is expected to start in the next two weeks.
“From there, we’ll keep on going,” said the company’s general superintendent, John Fraioli. “We expect to complete the project by August 2015.” The museum broke ground on its 17,364-square-foot addition on May 11. Guests included Gov. Dannel Malloy, who participated in a groundbreaking ceremony. “In order to dig down 16 feet and still keep the parking lot open without undermining the parking lot, we have to go down in five-foot intervals and spray concrete onto the bank before we start foundation work,” Fraioli explained. “It’s a temporary stabilization system to allow us to do our work.” Museum Facility Manager Mike Smith said the new wing will greatly increase gallery and classroom space. He says he has been attending construction meetings, doing progress updates and taking care of the day-to-day needs of the construction workers. Smith, who is in charge of heating, ventilation and air conditioning at the museum, says it’s his responsibility to make sure everything is A-OK. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Sign manufacturing company plans to open in Southington in November
SOUTHINGTON — Construction work on a new building for a sign manufacturing company with 42 employees continues with the opening planned for mid-November. Sign Pro, currently located in New Britain, will move into new facility at 60 Westfield Drive on 2.8 acres of land. Construction started on June 1. The company provides, sign “design, printing, manufacturing, installation and service to worldwide clients,” said owner Pete Rappoccio said. About 2,600 clients are serviced by the company’s 42 employees. The expansion will bring between five to eight new positions, Rappoccio said. The company’s current home is 13,000 square feet. The new building will be 35,000 square feet. “We wanted to stay within the vicinity of where we are now,” Rappoccio said of the decision to move to Southington. “We’re very, very excited they’re coming to Southington,” said Michael DelSanto chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee. “(Sign Pro) has national projects and do work for Panera Bread (and) Edible Arrangements.” In August 2013, the Town Council approved Sign Pro to take advantage of the town’s tax incentive program. The tax break waives town building fees for a company that spends $2.5 million or more to relocate to town. The plan offers a 40 percent tax reduction for five years for any new manufacturer or business. Building fees for Sign Pro would be more than $30,000. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
UConn trustees endorse nearly $300M in projects tied to Next Gen CT
The University of Connecticut Board of Trustees Tuesday unanimously endorsed plans for a new multi-story research building, a large housing complex for science, engineering and math students and a 3,400-foot road extension to link the Storrs campus’s technology park with Route 44.
“Today is really the culmination of all the planning all the work around scientific progress at the university,” UConn President Susan Herbst said. Science, engineering and medicine are the most expensive fields to invest in because of the highly specialized research equipment they need, she added. “But the big picture is that UConn has to boost its research performance,” Herbst said. “There’s no other way to get ahead.” These projects either are part of, or a key complement to Next Generation Connecticut, an ambitious 10-year, $1.5 billion expansion plan to develop UConn into a pre-eminent research university and innovation hub. One key capital component of Next Gen involves $162.3 million for what officials have dubbed an “innovation partnership building.” It involves 112,000 square feet in a new, multi-story research building to house cooperative research efforts between UConn students and faculty and private businesses. That project goes out to bid in October. Another $105 million in bonding was endorsed Wednesday to construct a major new dormitory, with 210,000 square feet and 730 beds, for science, engineering and math students. It is scheduled to open in the fall of 2016. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Plans for Hartford Stadium, New Municipal Offices Revealed
HARTFORD — Two bidders have submitted broad plans for developing land north of the city's downtown, which include a minor league baseball stadium and a municipal office building.
A group led by New York-based LeylandAlliance and Middletown-based Centerplan has proposed building a ballpark, more than 210,000 square feet of municipal office space, more than 600 residential units, and retail space that features a grocery store. Boston-based CV Properties LLC submitted a plan that includes a new municipal office building, a ballpark and a garage. The company, which called the proposal a "catalytic project," said it would partner with other interested developers "to advance the housing and retail components of the project."A third proposal was submitted by Bloomfield-based Thomas Hooker Brewing Company. Its owner, Curt Cameron, has said he intends to build a 50,000-square-foot brewery, restaurant and beer garden on North Main Street, across from the proposed stadium. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE