Malloy economy needs monumental transportation upgrade
HARTFORD — Regardless of the pushback against raising corporate taxes, businesses and their employees would be among the big winners if Connecticut commits to funding an overhaul of its transportation network, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Tuesday.
The state can't afford the worsening decay of bridges, highways and rail lines, said Malloy, who pitched a case that chronic rush-hour traffic delays are a hidden mega-tax on companies and commuters.
"We need to reposition Connecticut as an easier place to get to and get through," Malloy said. "Rather than being seen as an expense, this needs to be seen as an investment."
Aetna, General Electric and Travelers all balked in the past few days at the budget deal between legislative leaders and Malloy that would increase some corporate taxes while setting aside part of the sales tax for transportation improvements. Republican legislators are also slamming the deal as a threat to Connecticut's economy.
At his office at the Capitol, Malloy told The Courant he's confident that the final budget — in whatever form it takes — will support the start of his sweeping $100 billion, 30-year proposal to reconstruct and expand the state's transportation network. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Affordable housing complex nears completion in Brookfield
BROOKFIELD -- Progress on the revitalization of the Four Corners is moving forward this month with the near completion of so-called workforce housing that is one of the cornerstones of the project.
The developers of Laurel Hill, an affordable apartment complex that sits just south of the Four Corners, are taking applications for units that will be available some time next month. The complex, under development by New York-based Dakota Partners, includes 72 units of two-bedroom apartments that will rent for between $1,325 and $1,395 per month.
The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority defines affordable housing as designated for those with annual income of no more than $47,000 for one person and $67,000 for a family of four.
"The revitalization efforts are certainly starting to gain some momentum," said Hal Kurfehs, chairman of the Brookfield Economic Development Commission. "It will never move as fast as I'd like, but these are complicated and expensive undertakings." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
New Milford to put $950K into road repairs
NEW MILFORD -- The severe weather took its toll on many roads this winter and now the Town Council is prepared to pay for the damage.
Town officials are planning to use $950,000 in leftover bond funds to repair New Milford's roads and bridges.
The money is left from funds bonded in 2012 for two projects -- work on the spillway at Reservoir Dam and upgrades to the town refueling station at Patriot's Way -- that cost less than anticipated.
"A state program became available for the work needed at the dam that covered part of the cost resulting in the town only spending about $400,000 rather than $650,000," Mayor Pat Murphy said. "Then bids to replace the external pumps at the fueling station came in higher than anticipated, while at the same time, we received the grant for the Century Brass site cleanup. Since Public Works campus is planned to be moved to the Century Brass site after the building is demolished and environmental clean up occurs, we'll be moving the fueling station there, eliminating the need to spend money on it at this time."
A special town meeting is set for June 8 at 7:15 p.m. in the E. Paul Martin Room in Roger Sherman Town Hall for resident approval to move the $950,000 to road and bridge projects by making an amendment to the 2012 Public Works Programs Bond. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Parts of Cohanzie School comes down soon
Waterford – Demolition of two of three sections of Cohanzie School should be completed within approximately 10 weeks, according to municipal facility maintenance coordinator Wayne Fraser.
Interior abatement is completed and utilities must now be disconnected, according to Fraser. He explained that the abatement process, overseen by consulting firm Tighe & Bond, required electricity.
The 1972 and 1956 portions of the building are slated for demolition, which should begin in about two weeks after Tighe & Bond applies for demolition permits, according to Fraser. He said further restoration of the site would be necessary following demolition, bringing the total process to about 10 weeks, barring any snags.
The original 1923 portion of the school is still slated to remain on site, and developer Centerplan Companies previously outlined plans to renovate that portion of the school and use it to house a private clubhouse for residents, plus a common space open to the public.
The developer has proposed a market-rate multifamily rental development on the property of the former school. The development is proposed to include four new buildings containing 154 apartments, plus a swimming pool and children's play area. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Sewer line cost increase by $1.5M
POMFRET — The cost to install a proposed sewer line to address
failing wastewater systems at two Pomfret private schools has risen by $1.5
million and requires the submission of a new federal funding
application. First Selectwoman Maureen Nicholson said the town recently submitted
a new funding application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture — at the
agency's request — for the planned work, a step she said was necessary to
reflect more realistic cost estimates and to extend the timeline of the
project. The town was previously approved for $4.4 million in loans and $1.5
million in grant funding to construct a sewer line that would be open to the
Pomfret and Rectory schools and Loos & Company, which manufactures aircraft
rope and wire. Officials said the project is the best way to overhaul the two
schools' outdated systems. "The new application is for $7.4 million and is a much more
realistic figure," she said. "The first application used very preliminary
numbers."
As with the initial application, the town of Pomfret is named
project administrator, though it will not incur any costs associated with the
project. The two schools — which are not eligible for state or federal grants —
and Loos & Company will be responsible for paying back the loans. Residents
must still approve accepting the federal money, Nicholson said. "We'll have a town meeting on that later this money, with the new,
higher figure to be voted on," she said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Planning commission approves retail development in Glastonbury center
GLASTONBURY — The new town center zone aimed at enhancing economic development in the downtown area with mixed-use projects and enhanced streetscapes is working, officials said.
On Tuesday, the town plan and zoning commission approved another 8,600-square-foot development on a 1.5-acre lot at Welles and Grove streets behind the First Niagara Bank Building. An abandoned standalone drive-thru/ATM building will be demolished later this month to make way for the retail and restaurant building.
"We are filling up the center piece by piece," commission vice-chairwoman Patricia V. Low said.
The new zone provides a uniform set of regulations that allow a compatible mix of uses at a density and scale that supports development and redevelopment aimed at enhancing the center. Community Development Director Ken Leslie said that from an economic development point of view, the zone is working with quite a few projects completed or proposed. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Middletown Council considering master plan for riverfront redevelopment
MIDDLETOWN — A common council committee is considering requesting proposals for a riverfront redevelopment overhaul.
A master plan would distinctly define the preferred uses of the city's frontage along the Connecticut River at each parcel from Harbor Park to the area near Connecticut Valley Hospital. It would also include a plan for how to adjust zoning regulations.
The city has been considering riverfront redevelopment for several years. The process largely hinges on the eventual removal of the sewage treatment plant on River Road
On Monday, the common council voted to have its economic development subcommittee begin the steps to open a request for proposals for a master plan. The economic development committee meets Wednesday night.
Councilman Gerald Daley, chairman of the economic committee, said the city has already had some success generating interest in the riverfront with events like the "Feet to the Fire" arts festival last month.
He said while the city is planning for a new boathouse, a major realignment of Route 9 and other development milestones, more events should be offered.
Daley cited a recent report that says the Riverfront Recapture project generates more than $7 million in economic activity for the city of Hartford each year by drawing visitors to events throughout the year. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Committee to review bids for North Haven Middle school
NORTH HAVEN >> School officials are getting ready to break ground on the North Haven Middle School project that will be starting this summer.
Last month, the North Haven Middle School Building Committee went out to bid on the long-awaited project, and the bids were due back last week. A total of 34 bid requests were issued for the different areas of work to be performed, including plumbing, HVAC, roofing, fire protection and electrical work. The committee is scheduled to review the bids at its next meeting Monday.
The committee hired the Gilbane Construction Company of Glastonbury as its construction manager that will oversee the work done by the subcontractors.
The 55-years-old school was deemed “out of date and minimally adequate for a 21st century middle school” in the latest New England Association of Schools and Colleges report. That, combined with structural problems such as leaking roofs, poor air quality and inadequate boilers, prompted the project that will expand the 140,000-square-foot building. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Appeal to block Stop & Shop construction in Litchfield dismissed
LITCHFIELD >> A third attempt to block the construction of a Stop & Shop in the Village Green Plaza has come to naught. It was denied May 28 and will not come to court.
The project was originally approved by the town Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 19, 2013. This third attempt followed the second effort to block the expansion, filed in September 2014, was dismissed in Hartford Superior Court on Jan. 29.
At that time, Judge Barbara Quinn ruled that a series of claims made by Tracie Baker, a resident of Litchfield, failed to meet the requirements to be upheld. Baker’s complaints were that parking spaces proposed as part of the expanded shopping center did not meet regulations; there were fewer spaces included in the plan than required; the project required on yet-to-be-mandated improvements to a state highway; and that the consultant retained in the case had a conflict of interest. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE