Bridgeport-NYC ferry plan dead in the water
BRIDGEPORT -- Looks like it's destined to be just a "ferry tale." Despite an effort by city officials to rekindle talk of a high-speed ferry service to New York City, the project appears to have been killed for the foreseeable future. The ferry, which was to also have involved Stamford, has been discussed and studied for nearly a decade. But Stamford dropped out in early 2013 after an assessment by that city and the state Department of Transportation determined the service would require a substantial annual subsidy. Still, internal documents show that for a moment this summer the DOT was considering giving $1.2 million to the Bridgeport Port Authority "for a feasibility study and to complete preliminary engineering and construction of a high-speed ferry terminal" off Water Street.
The money was to come out of a section of the state budget, passed in 2013, dedicated to improving ports and marinas. The Port Authority was relying on federal grants for additional financing.
A DOT spokesman could not immediately say last week why the topic was suddenly being reconsidered by the agency after Stamford walked away months ago. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Proposed SHU dorm to take on-campus parking
FAIRFIELD -- Sacred Heart University is willing to lose some on-campus parking in order to build a new, three-story dormitory. The university presented its application to the Town Plan and Zoning Commission at a recent public hearing that drew little attention from neighbors. No decision has been made on the application. The new, 216-bed residence hall would be situated in the northeast corner of the campus, an area that is now a parking lot, at the corner of Park Avenue and Jefferson Street.
The U-shaped structure will house common areas, like a lobby, lounge and fitness room along with student bedrooms on the first floor, while the second and third floors will be mostly bedrooms.
According to the statement of use submitted with the application, the corner of Jefferson and Park will be renovated and existing plantings and signs removed to provide a "more open, welcoming vista." The dormitory building itself would be constructed of brick and copper veneer and copper gutters, with a standing seam roofing. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Killingly votes Tuesday on $25.8M water treatment plant upgrade
Killingly vote: Killingly voters on Tuesday will decide whether to approve a $25.8 million upgrade to the town's wastewater treatment system, which will entail higher sewer bills. The vote is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Killingly Public Library, 25 Westcott Road in Danielson.
The project: The refurbishment project will address several concerns at the 40-year-old water treatment plant, including replacing aging infrastructure and tweaking the systems that filter nitrogen and phosphorous to meet more stringent state and federal discharge regulations. The project cost also includes funds to demolish the abandoned Danielson borough water treatment plant, which consists of several 70-year-old buildings near the town’s Little League field complex on Wauregan Road. A pump station in Rogers also would be upgraded as part of the project. If approved, construction could begin in 2015 and take up to two years to complete. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
North Haven's $69M middle school moves forward
NORTH HAVEN >> After receiving approval from residents at a referendum in June, plans for a “like-new” middle school are steadily moving ahead. A recent report by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges showed the current middle school is significantly below adequate standards. According to the feasibility report, many elements of the building and grounds are in need of refurbishments or replacement because of their age. Recently, the North Haven Middle School Building Committee found a construction manager for the $69 million project. Gilbane Building Co. of Glastonbury was chosen out of 11 applicants to serve as the project’s construction manager, Ed Swinkoski, town director of finance, said. A construction manager supervises plans and coordinates a project based upon the budget. While Swinkoski doesn’t sit on the committee, as the finance director he attends committee meetings and oversees purchases, bidding and the budget. Gary Johns, chairman of the building committee, wasn’t immediately available for comment on Wednesday. Swinkoski said the committee sent out a request for qualifications for a construction manager and received several applicants. The committee narrowed its choices down to four and distributed a request for proposal, asking for companies’ budgets and project timelines. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE