CT Construction Digest August 20, 2015

Construction sector jobs shortage not felt in CT

With a recent report suggesting U.S. homebuilders are struggling to find workers amid a building boom, Connecticut’s main construction trade group says local companies have been able to hire qualified workers, despite the recent recession discouraging some from sticking with the industry.
Connecticut’s construction industry spiked 8 percent in June, crossing the 60,000 job plateau for the first time since 2008 when the sector reached a historic high of almost 70,000 jobs. Only five states saw their construction employers boost jobs by a bigger margin, according to the most recent data available from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), with Connecticut leading the Northeast. Idaho led the nation at 13 percent.
June marked the biggest year-over-year gain for any single month in Connecticut since June 2004, and it wasn’t just happening in Connecticut. Construction employment nationally—for which there is more recent data—in July climbed to the highest level since February 2009, while the number of unemployed workers with construction experience shrank to a 14-year low, according to the AGC. And the U.S. Department of Labor reported housing starts nationally in July reached their highest level since 2007, prompting the National Association of Builders to warn that a labor shortage was hurting project growth.
Jobs are an imperfect data point in a state as small as Connecticut, with builders able to hire out-of-state firms that win with low bids and truck in workers from across the border. But according to the head of the Connecticut Construction Industries Association (CCIA), the local jobs data matches reality.
CCIA saw the boom coming 18 months ago, according to Don Shubert, CCIA president, as companies began calling to ask for help staffing up the projects they were winning. CCIA has been filling cohorts for its apprenticeship programs as fast as it can form them, providing long-term stability to a sector that is eyeing a number of long term projects that could generate billions of dollars in new work over the coming years. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

Bridgewater's HQ project unanimously backed by conservation panel

The Conservation Commission has unanimously approved plans by Bridgewater Associates for upgrades at its 15.84-acre Glendinning campus.
The commission’s Wednesday special meeting continued a four-hour public hearing July 29, where board members felt there were many unanswered questions about the hedge fund’s plans, including some concerning a proposed underground parking garage and the impact of the work on wetlands.
Bridgewater’s lawyer, Eric Bernheim of Halloran and Sage, said the applicant responded in writing to “numerous questions received” since that meeting and Craig Lapinski, a civil engineer with Fuss & O’Neill, said, “We’ve been careful to address every comment we’ve gotten.”
The project;s impact on wetlands remained an issue for some commission members, but they were assured that only a small area of wetlands, most described as “low functioning,” would be disturbed during construction.
The panel also discussed the removal of about 10,000 cubic yards of hazardous materials on the property during remediation, in particular, the safe handling of the material during that time. Trucks would be lined up to take the material off-site so there won;t be stockpiling, commission members were told.
Public access to the property and use of adjacent waterways — the three rivers that run through the property — will remain the same, the way it has been since Bridgewater occupied the property, they were told. And the Aspetuck Land Trust would still have access to its property, via an existing easement.
“We don’t plan to make things difficult,” said Bernheim. “We won’t be putting up signs.”
But, he noted, there could be some restricted access during construction, including when a septic system is being installed and remediation is taking place. Like any construction site, he said, there will be a fence around it.  CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

Southington replacing bridge on Old Mountain Road

SOUTHINGTON — Construction crews are working to replace a bridge on Old Mountain Road, a project expected to be complete in the fall.

Martin Laviero Contractors of Bristol won the bid for the bridge replacement for $694,450. The work includes removing the old bridge, replacing a culvert and constructing of a 125 foot retaining wall.

  Town Engineer Keith Hayden said the bridge will be replaced with a concrete box culvert which should last about 50 years.

According to police Old Mountain Road between School Street and Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike will be closed to all but local traffic until the project is complete. Detour signs will guide motorists around the area.

Portions of the Old Mountain Road bridge are considered deficient by the state Department of Transportation.

Bridges are rated by the state on a scale of zero to nine. The highest rating indicates a brand new bridge and a zero is a closed bridge. Ratings of four or less are considered structurally deficient but not necessarily unsafe.

The deck, superstructure and structural evaluation were listed as 3 in a state report compiled in February. The bridge’s substructure and channel were both rate as 7.

State officials say they don’t hesitate to close bridges that could pose a danger to drivers.

There have been weight limits on the bridge for the past few years, a move Hayden said is unusual and shows the bridge was ready for replacement. The new bridge will be wider and Old Mountain Road straightened slightly to improve safety.

“It gets really narrow there now,” Hayden said.

The project received a state grant for about 30 percent of the cost, according to Hayden. He expects it’ll be finished in the first or second week of November.

Town Manager Garry Brumback said the bridge replacement is part of a number of infrastructure projects including School Street and County Road repaving. To refinish Country Road, Southington and Wolcott joined to pick a contractor and have the road on both sides of the border completed at once, avoiding the need for multiple projects and disruptions. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

 

Long-awaited construction begins on Glastonbury mill conversion

 

After four years of trying, the conversion of an old mill complex in Glastonbury into 250 apartments is getting underway, with the developer's purchase of the property last week sealing the deal.

Developer Martin J. Kenny closed the purchase of the 31-acre complex on New London Turnpike from longtime owner Flanagan Industries for $3.6 million and, on Wednesday, construction fences started going up for the $50 million project.
"This is the largest project that I've been involved in," Kenny said. "We're utilizing these old mill buildings. We're going to have a sophisticated industrial look. We're really excited about showcasing the history of the mill and the tannery."
Plans call for converting two old mill buildings into rentals, plus the construction of five new structures to the rear of the property. The apartments — to be named Flanagan's Landing — will be a mix of studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, with estimated monthly rents ranging from $1,200 to $3,000.
The first apartments could be ready for occupancy in fall 2016, Kenny said.
The project also includes a 6,000-square-foot space facing New London Turnpike for a restaurant. Kenny said he has four potential operators interested, but he declined to name them Wednesday.
The development comes amid a surge of apartment construction in the Hartford area, both in the city and the suburbs. Kenny said he's optimistic about leasing at the complex in Glastonbury because there has been little new rental construction since the 1960s and 1970s.
Kenny said there aren't a lot of options for young professionals from Glastonbury to live in the town where they grew up. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

Construction begins on expansion of State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown

MIDDLETOWN — Construction has started on a project that will expand the State Veterans Cemetery, adding 10 years worth of burial space.
More than 7,000 veterans and 3,000 of their family members are interred at the Bow Lane burial ground, state officials said at a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday.

The cemetery, which opened in 1985, is one of three veterans cemeteries in the state. The expansion project includes a 3,000-space columbarium for holding burial urns, and renovations to the existing building. The project is funded by a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said the project is a way for the state to recognize the contributions of veterans. Other initiatives include job programs and efforts to end homelessness among veterans.
"We are seeing a growing appreciation for our veterans and the sacrifices they and their families have made," Malloy said.
State officials said the project will be followed by improvements to the veterans cemeteries in Darien and Rocky Hill.
"We can look forward to honoring our commitment to all of our veterans and their spouses," Malloy said. "We owe the people buried a deep debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they made during their lifetime, in some cases losing their lives on our behalf."
Commander Larry Riley of the Middletown Council of Veterans, a Vietnam War veteran, said the State Veterans Cemetery has become known as a place to visit and reflect, and is a source of local pride.

"Veterans are very proud of what's going on with the cemetery," Riley said. "There's so many things we have lacked, and little by little, things are getting better. These men and women have given a piece of their lives to defend our country. The least we can give them back is a spot where they can rest in peace." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

 

Ansonia gets $1.7M to build road linking to Farrel Corp

 

ANSONIA >> The city has secured a $1.07 million federal grant that will be used to build a road linking the Birmingham Parkway with a new 60,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing facility the Farrel Corp. is building, opening up 44 acres for the creation of a business park.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration’s decision to award the grant was announced Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, and Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti at a press conference held near the construction site. DeLauro said the project will create 225 construction jobs and save 100 jobs at Farrel.
“I think this a great example of the government and the private sector working together,” she said.
Blumenthal, D-Conn., said the road, which city officials have said will cost about $2 million to build, “is a symbolic path to economic prosperity.” “It’s more than just a just a road,” he said. “Millions (of dollars) more in private sector money will be coming into the Valley because of this project.”
In addition to linking to the new home of Farrel Corp., it will provide access to 44 acres of previously undeveloped land to Birmingham Parkway. A plan to turn the land into the Fountain Lake Commerce Park was approved by city officials in 2007, the project got bogged down when the recession hit later that year. Shelton-based developer Robert Scinto is building the Fountain Lake Commerce Park, which will have six lots for potential tenants in addition to the 11-acre site that will be come to the new Farrel building. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

New Haven residents stress housing, jobs in plans for Hill development

NEW HAVEN >> Two private developers are proposing to fill several parcels in the Hill medical district with housing and commercial uses, under the aegis of the Hill to Downtown planning document that has evolved over several years. Randy Salvatore, who just finished putting up the Novella apartments on Chapel and Howe streets, would work with Clifton Winkel, who has development rights to an estimated seven acres generally in the Gold Street, Prince Street, Washington Avenue and Lafayette Street area. LaToya Cowan, who works for the Economic Development Corp., Wednesday presented general concepts to Hill residents of what could go on these parcels, as the first concrete construction in an area that for decades has been a sea of parking lots. The parcels are city owned, but Winkel has development control in an agreement that goes back to 1989, was amended in 1996, and extends to 2025.
His company is AMA Connecticut Funding Corp.
Under a proposed land development agreement with the city, there would be a tighter timeframe on construction in the area, Cowan said. Also, Winkel would transfer his development rights for the 10 parcels to Salavtore’s company, RMS Companies.
Salvatore said he is not seeking any state or local funding for the project and said he wants to take his clues from what the neighborhood wants.
“The last thing I want to do is come into a community and try to get something approved that the community is not behind,” he said. “I want to make sure there is a meeting of the minds between what the community wants and I what I think we can develop.”  CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE

Flood hits the Rectory

BY MICHAEL PUFFER REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
WATERBURY — The basement and first floor of the downtown Rectory building were hit with a "major" flood Saturday, just weeks away from completion of the $8.6 million renovation of the city-owned building. Mayor Neil M. O'Leary, on Wednesday, acknowledged "major" flooding. He couldn't put a price on the damage, but said it shouldn't delay the long-sought renovation.
"We don't anticipate any delayed opening of the building," O'Leary said.
More than a century old, the Rectory Building, also known as St. Patrick's Hall, is a 22,000-square-foot, four-story, granite-and-brick building at 110-118 East Main St. The city claimed the building in 2000 with the intention of renovating it along with the neighboring Palace Theater. A high cost scuttled those plans. After years of discussion and various proposals, the city struck a deal involving the University of Connecticut. The university's downtown branch will outfit and occupy the upper floors as lounge, office and classroom space. A Starbucks coffee shop will inhabit the first floor.
Construction began in February 2014. The University of Connecticut was to begin outfitting its space in October and be ready to move in this January.
Mayor Neil M. O'Leary said a water department alarm sounded Saturday, leading city workers to the flood. It's the same sort of alarm that lets the city know when a water main has broken, he said.
Responding Water Department staff were able to close the leak, which, O'Leary said, happened shortly after the building's fire suppression system was charged.
O'Leary was uncertain exactly where the leak had occurred or why.
The project is being overseen by the Waterbury Development Corp., the city's quasi-governmental development arm. Director Todd Montello, on Wednesday afternoon, was unable to detail the extent, nature, cause or cost of the flood. All of that is still being investigated, he said. An insurance company has been alerted, Montello said.
Montello said work continues on the second, third and fourth floors.
O'Leary said it's too early to determine the extent of the damage. Power has been shut off to the building and renovations are continuing using power from the neighboring Palace. It's unknown if the flood damaged the electrical and air-handling systems in the basement of the Rectory, he said.     

A gas line runs through it?

BY BILL BITTAR REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN 
SOUTHBURY — A project to expand portions along 1,127 miles of a gas pipeline, running through Southbury and other New England towns, began with a public information meeting at Crowne Plaza on Wednesday.Maps were set up in the middle of a large room and experts from Spectra Energy, a Houston company, answered questions from abutting land owners at tables breaking down different aspects of its proposal.
Arthur C. Diestel, a spokesman for the company, said an application for its Algonquin Gas Transmission system will not be filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission until late 2016 and construction would not start until 2018.
"See the people with clipboards taking notes?" Diestel said of experts talking to citizens in the open house format. "We want to understand what's important to them as we're developing this project. It's an open dialogue."
The project, Access Northeast, calls for replacing approximately 19.6 miles of an existing 26-inch-diameter pipeline with a 42-inch-diameter pipeline in Rockland, Westchester and Putnam counties in New York, and Danbury.
It passes through Southbury, Oxford, Naugatuck, Waterbury and Cheshire northeast to Thompson, then through northwestern Rhode Island to Boston. It has spurs to New Haven and New London.
"I think the most important thing for people to know is this pipeline has been here since 1953, providing clean, reliable domestic natural gas to heat homes and businesses," said Marylee Hanley, a spokeswoman for Spectra.
She said the improvements are necessary to meet increased demand for natural gas, which Algonquin transports to local distribution companies like Yankee Gas, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas.
The proposal, which includes laying more than 1 mile of new pipeline under the Hudson River, faces some opposition in New York.
Hanley said the project will meet or exceed all federal safety standards.
The Connecticut phase of the project needs permit approvals from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, as well as consultations with several state agencies such as the Connecticut Siting Council and the Department of Economic and Community Development.
When an installation is underway, Hanley said it resembles roadwork with police officers directing traffic.
After work is done, Hanley said, "We would return an area to its pre-existing state or better."
First Selectman Ed Edelson was among the droves of property owners and elected officials attending Wednesday's open house.
He noted how several town buildings, including Town Hall, the library and the community center, had switched to natural gas for the savings and environmental benefits.
"I think, given the substantial increase in demand for natural gas, this is a project that's very important to our state and New England," Edelson said.
Ted Pullman, who has owned his farm on Bucks Hill Road since the 1960s, said two gas lines run through his and his wife's property.
"They've always been good neighbors," Pullman said of the gas company. "I wanted to see how this project is going to proceed."
Not everyone was sold on the project, including Bernice Scoville of Hollow Swamp Road.
"I'm just thankful the 50 years I've been living there the pipe hasn't gone off," she said of the potential for an explosion. "Who wants to live next to a 42-inch-pipeline?"