Stamford developer expands reach and profile in downtown project
STAMFORD -- After nibbling at the northern edges of the downtown with a series of successful mid-sized rental buildings, Stamford developer Randy Salvatore is now back with another residential project, only this time he has set his sights on the very heart of the downtown. Salvatore, who runs RMS Properties, has submitted plans to construct 122 units in a six-story apartment building at the corner of Washington Boulevard and Rippowam Place. The estimated $50 million project will be built on a 1-acre site that sits on the same block as the Stamford Government Center. Owned for decades by the Lotstein family, the parcel has long been considered to be one of the key corners of the downtown with its proximity to Columbus and Mill River parks. The site is also well within walking distance of the train station. Salvatore has said he has a contract to buy the property from the Lotsteins, pending zoning approval. He declined to disclose the agreed-upon purchase price, but said it was "in keeping with the market." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Malloy and Himes to give outline on replacing WALK span
Facing questions about the continued viability of a 118-year-old rail span, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will appear with U.S. Rep Jim Himes and other officials on Thursday to detail how the state will cover a nearly $200 million funding gap to fix an unreliable swing bridge that halted New Haven Line service between Norwalk and New York City twice this summer. "We'll discuss the finance plan and a schedule for replacement," said Peter Yazbak, a spokesman for Malloy. The state has committed up to $116 million toward replacing the span and late last month was awarded a $161 million federal grant as part of a Superstorm Sandy resiliency fund. However, that combined funding still leaves the state $188 million short of the $465 million state officials estimate is needed to replace the bridge. While the rail bridge, commonly referred to as the Walk bridge, has had notable failures and snarled service, its condition drew greater focus from Malloy and the state's congressional delegation after two lengthy breakdowns within 10 days in May and June. U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., said there is an ongoing need in the next congressional session to continue to push for federal funding to replace or overhaul three other movable spans, in Greenwich, Westport and Milford, and aging highway bridges in the state. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
New Haven officials, lawmakers get bird's-eye view of downtown development
NEW HAVEN >> It is easy to see why it qualifies as a transit-oriented development. From the 11th floor of 100 College St., you can see the disappearing Route 34 connector, Union Station and the Hill neighborhood, where a new network of streets is being planned. There is also the old Veterans Memorial Coliseum site, where LiveWorkLearnPlay plans apartments, a retail village and a hotel.
The idea is to attract more residents to live and work in the area, where biotech jobs continue to grow and will expand exponentially next year when the 700 to 800 workers at Alexion Pharmeceuticals move into 100 College St. Carter Winstanley, the developer for the building, took local and federal officials on a tour Wednesday to show off what they had invested in. Just one year after breaking ground, a total of 14 floors are up at the 500,000-square-foot building, which at one point had only been planned as 10 stories. Alexion, which began as a startup at Science Park in Newhallville more than a decade ago, is bringing its growing workforce back to New Haven. The building was topped off a month ago and will be fully enclosed by Thanksgiving with Alexion, the major tenant, and Yale University starting to fit out the floors they will occupy with research labs. “From start to finish it will be just a 24-month process,” Winstanley told U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3; Mayor Toni Harp; New Haven Economic Development Administrator Matthew Nemerson; and other members of Harp’s staff. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE