Angela Carella
STAMFORD - Just when you thought it was settled, the fate of downtown’s last historic bridge again floats in the air.
Members of the Board of Representatives will vote April 1 on whether an exhaustively debated renovation of the West Main Street bridge, approved in September and already underway, should proceed.
The board’s Operations Committee Tuesday night voted to recommend that the project go forward. But it’s not clear which way representatives will go, given that, six months ago, they barely approved an engineering contract with a 21-19 vote.
The latest sticking point is that representatives believed that Mayor David Martin would come back to them after the engineering firm, Wengell, McDonnell & Costello, finished the $98,000 first phase of its assessment of the scope of work needed to fix the 1888 bridge, and before the $457,000 second phase.
When that didn’t happen, representatives contacted Martin, who said that his office, which has authority over contracts, could proceed to the second phase without board approval. It turns out the firm determined that fixing the bridge will cost $336,000 more than originally anticipated.
The Operations Committee chairman, Rep. Jonathan Jacobson, D-12, put a question to members Tuesday.“Are the projected costs so great that it warrants that we stop?” Jacobson said.
Representatives are concerned that taxpayers will be on the hook for any overruns on the project, which is to be paid for using a $2 million state grant obtained by the Mill River Collaborative, the nonprofit group working with the city to remake Mill River Park, site of the 125-foot iron bridge.
Representatives said the city’s agreement with Wengell, McDonnell & Costello requires that they review the firm’s initial assessment to ensure that cost estimates are correct.
Instead, representatives said, the administration concluded on its own that, though some initial estimates had to be revised, the originals were substantially correct and the project is ready to proceed.
Martin and members of his staff appeared before the Operations Committee Tuesday to smooth things out.
He thinks the agreement “is the best way going forward,” Martin said, but “I give you my word that if you don’t want to proceed, I will honor that.”
He committed to returning to representatives should substantial cost overruns be identified once construction goes out to bid.
“If the budget slips further, what does the city do?” asked Rep. Dennis Mahoney, R-20.
The city has a capital account for bridge replacement with several million dollars in it, though the money is mostly allocated for bridge projects on Cedar Heights Road, Riverbank Road, and elsewhere, Martin said.“The $50 million Stamford police headquarters building is on budget, so I’m hopeful this will come in on budget, but I just don’t know,” Martin said.
If the cost projection for the bridge is too high, the project cannot proceed, he said.
“If it comes in at $20 over, we’re moving ahead. If it’s a million and a half, we’re not,” Martin said. “I can only tell you in good faith that we want to get this project done before the bridge deteriorates further.”
Representatives on this board, and several before it, have spent countless hours debating whether the bridge should be repaired for pedestrians or to carry cars. During the 20-year debate, the bridge has continued to crumble. Engineers fear it could wash away in the next big rainstorm.
“We need to get moving,” City Engineer Lou Casolo said, otherwise “we will have a situation where the bridge will have to close. Or it could collapse.”
As it is, the Engineering Department shuts the bridge during storms.
“That in itself presents a safety problem,” Martin said. “People are scaling the fence when we close the bridge.”
Vehicles were banned 16 years ago, when it was deemed that the bridge cannot carry the weight. Ever since, West Side residents have been concerned that their neighborhood is cut off from downtown.The Mill River Collaborative wants to repair the bridge for pedestrians only, in keeping with the character of the park, and to preserve the historic elements of the 1888 structure.
Rep. Benjamin Lee, D-15, wanted to know what a bare-bones bridge would cost.“Something not pretty that would get people from one place to the next would be cheaper,” Lee said. “Do you have a point where you will abandon the historic preservation aspect of it?”
Martin said the city could not get approval for the project without preserving thebridge, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Rep. Anthony Spadaccini, R-14, asked about the plan’s call for a $213,000 temporary bridge so pedestrians can cross the river during construction, expected to take 18 months.
“Do we absolutely need that?” Spadaccini asked. “I would rather have a bridge built and do without the temporary one.”
Rep. Nina Sherwood, D-8, said eliminating the temporary bridge “would create a hardship for a lot of people.” Many West Side residents use it daily to get to work, grocery stores, and other destinations.
Casolo said building a temporary bridge would still require that the city obtain permits from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, a costly and time-consuming endeavor.
Rep. David Watkins, R-1, wrapped up the discussion saying certain things are apparent.
“We have to replace the bridge,” Watkins said. “This is a way we do it in a relatively brief amount of time.”
If a new, higher estimate should come back to the board, members will have to figure it out, Watkins said.“I don’t see an alternative,” he said.
On the nine-member Operations Committee, Watkins, Lee, Jacobson, Spadaccini, Mahoney and Rep. Terry Adams, D-3, voted for the project to proceed. Sherwood voted no. Rep. John Zelinsky Jr., D-11, abstained, and Rep. Elise Coleman, D-3, did not attend.
The full board is set to vote on the project at 8 p.m. Monday in Legislative Chambers, fourth floor, Stamford Government Center, 888 Washington Blvd.
Battle brewing on Derby water tank, neighbors’ lawyer threatens to sue if approved
Michael P. Mayko
DERBY — What appeared to be a slam-dunk for the city could become a battle.
The proposed million-gallon water storage tank to be built on 2.2 acres near Derby’s high school/middle school complex on Chatfield Street could head to Superior Court if approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission
City and fire officials and Griffin Hospital President Patrick Charmel urged the commission to approve the tank and alleviate low water pressure in the area. Similar support was voiced at a January public hearing in New Haven. And last month the tank received approval from the Regional Policy Board of the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority.
“I had sleepless nights worrying about water in that service area,” said Charles Sampson, the city’s former fire chief and current Board of Aldermen president. “There’s terrible water pressure. If we get a good house fire and something else happens, we have a serious problem.”
Andrew Baklik, who is chief of staff to Mayor Richard Dziekan, said rejecting the proposal “would do a disservice to everyone on the west side.”
But on Tuesday night, Gregory Cava, a Roxbury lawyer representing a family who owns 116 Chatfield Street, challenged the proposal, claiming it violates state and Derby zoning laws. He threatened to sue if the proposal were approved.
Several residents, including Ted Anglace, Dorothy, Mary Lou and Nissa Marinelli and Carol Senfield also voiced opposition to the proposed tank location.An alternative site at the corner of Silver Hill Road and Hull Street in Ansonia was suggested.
Keith McLiverty, the city’s treasurer, also urged the Water Authority to make at least a $500,000 donation to the city’s coffers. He said this would make up for the cost the city spent on supplying water lines to the middle school.
The tank, which would begin construction in June if approved, would serve about 13,000 customers in west Derby, Ansonia and Seymour. It was chosen from about 100 possibilities after another proposed sight on Telescope Mountain on Summit Street was rejected by the commission in 2013.
Several commission members, including Ted Estwan, the chairman, Greg Stevens, David Kopjanski and Raul Sanchez suggested the Water Authority consider additional buffering from trees to shield the Chatfield home from both the tank and vehicle headlights. The commission tabled the matter late Tuesday night and continued the public hearing.
Cava said the tank, which would be in what is Coon Hollow Park, does not meet the special exception or accessory use allowances in an area zoned for parks. He said it exceeds the building height limits by at least 6 feet and would violate state law because a separate required hearing on park land reuse was not conducted.
“Anytime you are taking park land and using it for public use” a separate hearing is required, the lawyer said. He said state law requirements comparable replacement land be offered in exchange.
The Water Authority is offering land adjacent to Witek Park as well 1.25 acres of land owned by St. Peter and St. Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ansonia, which is near the construction site. The church’s land would be purchased by the Water Authority and used as a construction staging area. Once the construction was completed it would be paved and turned over to the city for use as a parking lot for the for the now vacant VARCA building which Derby wants to sell.
“I would wage that after the lawsuits are over and all is said and done, the city is not going to be successfully able to offer this (St. Peter and St. Paul) site as comparable replacement land and this application can’t go anywhere,” Cava said.
Aldi on Route 5 in Wallingford to reopen late next month
Mary Ellen Godin
WALLINGFORD — Aldi will reopen its newly remodeled Route 5 store late next month.
The store, located at 1248 S. Broad St. in the Kohl’s plaza, closed on March 17 to expand from four to five aisles in addition to other changes. It is scheduled to reopen April 25.
The remodeling is part of a $1.9 billion Aldi initiative to expand more than 1,300 stores nationwide by the end of 2020, according to a statement.
Aldi will host a ribbon-cutting at 8:30 a.m. on April 25. Gift cards will be given to the first 100 shoppers, who will also have a chance to enter a contest to win a year’s supply of produce.
The new store layout will provide additional refrigeration space to accommodate more products. Stores will also feature open ceilings, natural lighting and environmentally friendly building materials, according to the statement. The store will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“Our remodeled store layout makes grocery shopping even more efficient,” said Bruce Persohn, South Windsor Division Vice President for Aldi. “Customers can easily navigate the Aldi aisles and find real savings on every trip. We’re eager to reveal the new look of Aldi to Wallingford, where we already have passionate, loyal customers.”
The company wide expansion plan is expected to add 25,000 new jobs in stores, warehouses and offices nationwide by the end of 2022. The retail chain was founded in 1976 and operates more than 1,800 stores in 35 states.Aldi has been in the Kohl’s Plaza since 1997.
Hartford city council greenlights $26M Park-Main St. development
Joe Cooper
The Hartford City Council has unanimously approved a development agreement and ground lease for a long-awaited 108-unit apartment and retail community at the corner of Park and Main streets.
The council on Monday voted 7-0 to allow developers Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, of South Norwalk, and Hartford's Freeman Cos. to build the $26 million facility that would consist of up to 90,000 square feet of residential space, 20,000 square feet of commercial space, a rooftop deck and up to 125 parking spaces, city officials said Tuesday.
For the project to move forward, design plans must still be signed off by city planners and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Construction could kickoff in the fall with an estimated completion date a year later, officials said.
Amid public concern over gentrifying the South Green neighborhood, making the apartments affordable to people in the area has been a focus for Mayor Luke Bronin, whose office negotiated the deal with the developers.
According to a draft agreement, 20 percent of one- and two-bedroom units must be set aside for low- to moderate-income earners, or individuals with incomes between 80 percent to 120 percent of the area median income (AMI).
With most of the city's local affordable housing units going to people at or below the 60 percent AMI threshold, the development ultimately aims to create additional affordable housing options for those ineligible to obtain cheaper units, developers say.
Plans show the two blighted lots, spanning across approximately 1.6 acres and 0.6 acres, will also include as much as 13,000 square feet of amenity space and up to 9,000 square feet for rooftop decks.
A November presentation by the developers, who took over the project in August after bidding on it in March 2018, show space for retail, restaurant and co-working areas.
The project includes no city financing and the lease agreement is marked for 30 years with an option to extend, records show.
Webster stakes $16.7M for Meriden housing
Gregory Seay Webster Bank is pledging $16.7 million in loans, subsidies and tax credits to fund a proposed $31.5 million, 81-unit Meriden mixed-income housing redevelopment on the site of a former newspaper building.
Robin Gallagher, senior vice president for commercial real estate for the Waterbury super-regional lender, said Wednesday Webster leads a financing package for New Jersey-based Michaels Organization's Meriden Housing Development Project at 11 Crown St.
The Connecticut Department of Housing and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority are among the project's financial backers.
According to Webster officials, its financing includes a $10.7 million investment in low-income housing tax credits with the National Equity Fund, and a $750,000 direct subsidy.
The balance of the Crown Street project's financing package includes: $6.4 million of federal low-interest housing tax credits; a $6 million loan from the housing department; $750,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank Board: and $500,000 in state low-income housing tax credits.
The project has been designated a "transit-oriented development'' due to its eventual proximity to Meriden's train-bus station.
Groundbreaking for the 64 apartments tagged "affordable,'' with some set aside for households transitioning from homelessness, plus 17 market-rate units, is set for this spring on the grounds of the former Record-Journal building, officials said.
Construction and lease-up will take another 24 months.
The development project, Webster said, is part of Meriden's five-year plan to relocate former residents of the Mills housing projects, which were demolished in 2018. Other projects include 24 Colony Street and Meriden Commons I & II.
Webster said its involvement includes a $10.7 million investment in low-income housing tax credits with the National Equity Fund, and a $750,000 direct subsidy.
The store, located at 1248 S. Broad St. in the Kohl’s plaza, closed on March 17 to expand from four to five aisles in addition to other changes. It is scheduled to reopen April 25.
The remodeling is part of a $1.9 billion Aldi initiative to expand more than 1,300 stores nationwide by the end of 2020, according to a statement.
Aldi will host a ribbon-cutting at 8:30 a.m. on April 25. Gift cards will be given to the first 100 shoppers, who will also have a chance to enter a contest to win a year’s supply of produce.
The new store layout will provide additional refrigeration space to accommodate more products. Stores will also feature open ceilings, natural lighting and environmentally friendly building materials, according to the statement. The store will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“Our remodeled store layout makes grocery shopping even more efficient,” said Bruce Persohn, South Windsor Division Vice President for Aldi. “Customers can easily navigate the Aldi aisles and find real savings on every trip. We’re eager to reveal the new look of Aldi to Wallingford, where we already have passionate, loyal customers.”
The company wide expansion plan is expected to add 25,000 new jobs in stores, warehouses and offices nationwide by the end of 2022. The retail chain was founded in 1976 and operates more than 1,800 stores in 35 states.Aldi has been in the Kohl’s Plaza since 1997.
Hartford city council greenlights $26M Park-Main St. development
Joe Cooper
The Hartford City Council has unanimously approved a development agreement and ground lease for a long-awaited 108-unit apartment and retail community at the corner of Park and Main streets.
The council on Monday voted 7-0 to allow developers Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, of South Norwalk, and Hartford's Freeman Cos. to build the $26 million facility that would consist of up to 90,000 square feet of residential space, 20,000 square feet of commercial space, a rooftop deck and up to 125 parking spaces, city officials said Tuesday.
For the project to move forward, design plans must still be signed off by city planners and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Construction could kickoff in the fall with an estimated completion date a year later, officials said.
Amid public concern over gentrifying the South Green neighborhood, making the apartments affordable to people in the area has been a focus for Mayor Luke Bronin, whose office negotiated the deal with the developers.
According to a draft agreement, 20 percent of one- and two-bedroom units must be set aside for low- to moderate-income earners, or individuals with incomes between 80 percent to 120 percent of the area median income (AMI).
With most of the city's local affordable housing units going to people at or below the 60 percent AMI threshold, the development ultimately aims to create additional affordable housing options for those ineligible to obtain cheaper units, developers say.
Plans show the two blighted lots, spanning across approximately 1.6 acres and 0.6 acres, will also include as much as 13,000 square feet of amenity space and up to 9,000 square feet for rooftop decks.
A November presentation by the developers, who took over the project in August after bidding on it in March 2018, show space for retail, restaurant and co-working areas.
The project includes no city financing and the lease agreement is marked for 30 years with an option to extend, records show.
Webster stakes $16.7M for Meriden housing
Gregory Seay Webster Bank is pledging $16.7 million in loans, subsidies and tax credits to fund a proposed $31.5 million, 81-unit Meriden mixed-income housing redevelopment on the site of a former newspaper building.
Robin Gallagher, senior vice president for commercial real estate for the Waterbury super-regional lender, said Wednesday Webster leads a financing package for New Jersey-based Michaels Organization's Meriden Housing Development Project at 11 Crown St.
The Connecticut Department of Housing and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority are among the project's financial backers.
According to Webster officials, its financing includes a $10.7 million investment in low-income housing tax credits with the National Equity Fund, and a $750,000 direct subsidy.
The balance of the Crown Street project's financing package includes: $6.4 million of federal low-interest housing tax credits; a $6 million loan from the housing department; $750,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank Board: and $500,000 in state low-income housing tax credits.
The project has been designated a "transit-oriented development'' due to its eventual proximity to Meriden's train-bus station.
Groundbreaking for the 64 apartments tagged "affordable,'' with some set aside for households transitioning from homelessness, plus 17 market-rate units, is set for this spring on the grounds of the former Record-Journal building, officials said.
Construction and lease-up will take another 24 months.
The development project, Webster said, is part of Meriden's five-year plan to relocate former residents of the Mills housing projects, which were demolished in 2018. Other projects include 24 Colony Street and Meriden Commons I & II.
Webster said its involvement includes a $10.7 million investment in low-income housing tax credits with the National Equity Fund, and a $750,000 direct subsidy.