Developer Robert Landino says he's looking forward to changing to positive the tenor of conversations about prospects for downtown Hartford.
Landino's Middletown-based Centerplan Cos., of which the civil engineer is founder and CEO, is building Hartford's minor-league baseball stadium, Dunkin' Donuts Park, where the Yard Goats are set to open their 2016 season in April.
That project has become a bigger challenge than envisioned. As city officials voice uncertainty about the park's completion timetable, as well as questions about an estimated $10 million in cost overruns rung up on the park's estimated $56 million pricetag, Centerplan is now proposing stadium changes – and other options – to bring costs under control.
"It's certainly going to be a race to the finish,'' Landino said in late 2015 of the construction pace that still must contend with winter weather. "You might not be able to buy a hot dog in center field, but we'll be playing baseball.''
When it opens, the 6,000-seat ballpark will anchor the planned redevelopment of the quadrant known as "Downtown North," or DoNo. Around time work wraps on the ballpark, ground is set to break in the spring on DoNo's next phase in Block E, Landino said. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Breaking ground for a 114-room hotel in Danbury
DANBURY - Construction has begun on a new 114-room hotel on Milestone Road.
Hotel Zero Degrees began construction with a groundbreaking at the 9-acre site on Friday.
“We are so excited to be expanding the Hotel Zero Degrees brand into the Danbury community,” said Randy Salvatore, chief executive officer of RMS Companies, in a prepared statement. “The corporate and residential growth over the past few years in this area of Connecticut has been astounding and we are looking forward to providing accommodations for business and leisure travelers as well as becoming the central gathering place for restaurant patrons and social groups.”
Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton joined officials from RMS Companies and the Hotel Zero Degrees for the ceremonial groundbreaking.
Hotel Zero Degrees Danbury expected to open before the end of the year, according to a news release.
Southington council puts out bids for Calendar House demolition
SOUTHINGTON — The Town Council has put out bids for the demolition of the Calendar House and construction of a new, modern senior center.
Councilor Paul Champagne said Monday night that the town put out a request for proposals for a general contractor on Dec. 20 and a request for proposals from architects Jan. 5. A request soliciting potential construction managers will go out Jan. 20.
The planned replacement of the Calendar House, a converted jail, is widely supported by local seniors and senior center staff.
In other business, the council discussed several recent and upcoming events.
Chris Palmeiri said the First Baptist Church recently held its 20th annual Martin Luther King Celebration with local students.
"Rev. Ralph Roy, who personally knew Dr. King, spoke that day, which was really amazing," he said. "Students also reflected on how Martin Luther King influenced their daily lives, which was also great."
Tom Lombardi reminded meeting spectators of the Polar Plunge scheduled for Sunday at YMCA Camp Sloper.
"This is a great fundraiser for the YMCA," he said. "It allows kids who would not otherwise be able to go to camp to go. Even if you aren’t plunging, come and watch. It’s a great social day for everyone." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
BLOOMFIELD — Dozens of residents, members of the town's Conservation, Energy and Environment Committee and others opposed to the construction of a water bottling plant in Bloomfield brought their concerns to the town council Monday.
Opponents of the plant were seeking a halt, at least temporarily, the planned construction of a 443,000-square-foot Woodland Avenue facility that will be built and operated by California-based Niagara Bottling.
The $73 million plant could open by mid-November with one bottling line that could use up to 450,000 gallons of water a day. The plant could expand to four bottling lines and a maximum use of 1.8 million gallons of water a day. The company would pay the Metropolitan District Commission for the water.
At the last town council meeting, Scott Jellison, CEO of the MDC, said the commission could easily supply all the water needed, even with four bottling lines.
Jellison reiterated those points Monday to a skeptical audience holding placards and signs urging the council to reject the proposal.
MDC Chairman William DiBella also spoke to the council and sparred with members of the audience during his comments. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE