Wind turbine company's loan application moving forward for Jewett City sitr
JEWETTCITY – After a year, Notus Eurus LLC, the company that purchased the former Wyre Wynd property, is still waiting to hear whether it has qualified for a state Department of Economic and Community Development loan to create new business on the land. And word could come this month.. Griswold First Selectman Kevin Skulczyck said the company is close to finishing paperwork associated with the loan’s approval. “We’re optimistic that everything will go correctly,” he said. “We hope they will move in within the next couple of months.” Notus Eurus LLC purchased the Wyre Wynd property in October 2013 for $550,000, according to assessor’s records. The Change Wind Corp. would lease space in the building. Since discussions began with Change Wind and Notus Eurus’ chief executive officer, James Bardia, Skulczyck said the town has been cautiously optimistic about the new development. In December, Bardia presented his plan to the Economic Development Commission to develop an industrial park on the property. It would hold nine rentable spaces for small businesses to lease space, creating up to 200 jobs. Since Bardia announced plans to develop an industrial park, two businesses have expressed interest. In June there were reports of a furniture company looking to lease space, but those plans fell through. Bardia’s past estimations have indicated the business will provide 25 jobs in its first year and up to 150 in its fifth, but Skulczyck wants to wait and see.“ I warn everyone to proceed with caution,” he said. Although he is wary, Skulczyck said he’s excited at the prospect of bringing in jobs. In February, residents voted 8 to 1 to grant Notus Eurus a tax abatement for new construction on the property. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
36 Lewis gets $300K CRDA loan
A small housing-conversion project in downtown Hartford that will add to the city's pipeline of new housing units in the central business district has secured a state subsidy through the Capital Region Development Authority, officials said.
Developer David Elwell secured a $300,000 CRDA loan to go with $1.2 million in private equity, plus $250,000 in state historic tax credits, to finance conversion of a vacant former restaurant building at 36 Lewis Street into six residential units – four one-bed, two two-bed.
Demolition is already underway, with occupancy set for later this year.
According to CRDA, it has approved 934 downtown housing units, with 701 in construction, leasing or occupied.
Farmington, Simsbury receive grants for infrastructure improvements
In addition to several other towns, Farmington and Simsbury received grants to assist with infrastructure improvement projects, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Wednesday.
Farmington was awarded $350,000 and Simsbury was awarded $150,000 in funding under the state's Small Town Economic Assistance Program, according to a press release.
"Delivering these grants today will improve the outlook for small towns across the state tomorrow. We are partnering with our smaller communities so that we can rebuild infrastructure, improve quality of life for residents across our state, and put Connecticut on a brighter path," Malloy said in the release. "These grants will help towns grow, remain competitive, and have a lasting impact for years to come."
Farmington's grant will be used to improve the access and usability of Farmington Avenue through the Bioscience Corridor and the historic Farmington Village. The project will include includes improved signage to welcome and inform visitors entering Farmington from Interstate 84, improvements to streetscapes and additional bus shelters, according to the release. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Former Hamden Middle School to be rehabbed for mixed use
HAMDEN >> It has sat mostly empty for more than a decade, but now the former Hamden Middle School on Newhall Street is slated to be renovated into housing by the same organization that redeveloped Highwood Square. Plans for the almost half-century-old building also include recreational facilities that would be open to the community, something residents called for almost a decade ago when the town solicited input as to what should happen to the shuttered site.
The Legislative Council has asked the Planning and Zoning Commission to approve an 8-24 referral to sell the 14-acre property that sits in the middle of a residential area in the Highwood area of southern Hamden. The 8-24 referral refers to the state statute that requires municipalities to get the approval of land use commissions before selling municipally-owned property. The item is on the commission’s April 14 agenda.
The former Hamden Middle School closed amid concerns that the contaminated land upon which the building sits was making staff and students sick, and led to the construction of the new Hamden Middle School on a portion of the former Meadowbrook Golf Course property on Dixwell Avenue, which is now Town Center Park. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE