City Council expected to come to s decision on Depot Square next week
BRISTOL — After months of watching from the sidelines as the long-awaited Depot Square plan grew ever more controversial, city councilors next week will get back in the game.
The City Council has scheduled a special session for next week to decide what to do next with the sprawling and empty lot in the heart of downtown. Officials are eyeing a compromise plan that would allow Renaissance Downtowns, the preferred developer, to continue pursuing financing for its first proposed building on the 15-acre site while the city chips in as much as $2 million to begin construction of roads, a public piazza and other infrastructure. The nonprofit Bristol Downtown Development Corp., created by the city in 2007 to oversee the property’s revitalization, recently recommended the city give Renaissance until the end of January to come up with an acceptable financing plan for a building that would include market-rate rental housing and street-level commercial space. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Manchester Democrats back schools referendum
MANCHESTER — The Democratic Town Committee on Tuesday endorsed a school modernization plan. The committee voted unanimously to support the proposed long-term revamping of the school system, with one absention, Mayor Jay Moran said after the meeting. The Republican Town Committee endorsed the referendum on Oct.8, and the proposal has bipartisan support on the school board and board of directors. Voters will be asked on Nov. 4 to accept or reject proposed bonding that includes about $3 million for renovations to Manchester High School's athletic facilities. The total cost is $84.2 million; with state reimbursement, local taxpayers would be responsible for about $37 million. The plan includes creation of a fifth- and sixth-grade school by combining Bennet Academy with the Cheney Building and "like-new" renovations and additions to Verplanck and Waddell elementary schools so that each school could serve up to 530 students. Robertson and Washington schools eventually would be closed under the plan. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE