Escalator project still unfinished after 5 years at Stamford train station
Ignacio Laguarda
STAMFORD — The addition of an escalator on the north side of the Stamford Train Station has taken as long to complete as the construction of the entire station in the 1980s.
It’s been close to five years since work began on the escalator, which would connect to the overpass on the eastern side of the station, providing an additional link between the south and north sides of the commuter stop.
But a number of complications, including 18 change orders, delayed the project. The biggest speed bump was the need to reinforce steel on part of the structure. That, in itself, added $600,000 to the budget and two years of delays.
Additionally, contractors discovered that existing aspects of the building would need to be brought up to code, including a new pedestrian bridge floor and fire alarm upgrades to integrate with existing systems.
And the delays have proved expensive, as the original budget of $8.8 million has grown to just over $10 million.
“This is a complicated building project that involves bringing many existing facilities up to new building code requirements and required many field retrofit solutions to address those deficiencies,” said Judd Everhart, spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation.
The escalator, with an accompanying new elevator, was supposed to open in January 2016. Now, the target date is next month, as “99 percent” of the work is complete, according to Everhart.Jeff Maron said he’ll believe it when he sees it.“One thing I’m confident about is I have no confidence,” said Maron, vice president of the Connecticut Commuter Rail Council. “I will only accept their response after it’s opened.”
While he remains skeptical of the work completion, Maron is a proponent of the project.
“It’s actually a great idea,” he said, adding that the overpass should have always allowed for access across all the platforms.
For commuters arriving on the north side of the station, getting to the south side involves going up to the main concourse and then going back down to the appropriate platform or the exit. An underground tunnel also connects the platforms, but is not directly accessible from the street. The idea of the escalator and overpass on the eastern side of the station is to allow people to get from one side of the station to the other without needing to enter the concourse, or circumvent the station entirely.
“It should always have been supported,” Maron said, chalking it up to “poor planning.”
‘So annoying’
On Friday, a couple of commuters at the station voiced their own frustration with the delayed project “It is annoying,” said Katera Noviello, who lives in Stamford. “It’s taken an insanely long time.”
She recalled an instance when she was dropped off by the escalator and had to walk all the way to the concourse and back down to get to a platform.“You have to run through the building to get around,” she said. When he first started using the station, Stamford resident John Oh said he would impulsively walk toward the escalator to get to a platform, only to be reminded that it was closed and inaccessible.
“And then I would have to make a lap over here,” he said, looking toward the main concourse area.
After a year of regularly using the station, he still commonly walks toward the unfinished pedestrian bridge without thinking, even though it is closed on one end.“After a hard day in the city, you go home after an hour commute, I walk over there, and go, ‘s---,’” he said. “It’s so annoying.”
A history of issues
Much like the escalator project, the construction of the full station in the ’80s faced a number of delays and mistakes as well.
The $50 million project to replace the old station was approved in 1982, with construction beginning in 1983. It only took about eight months for the work to be halted, however, when cracks were found in the support beams of the parking garage, because of a lack of steel support rods.
Work was halted again about 10 months later when it was discovered that the wrong type of steel was used in the lobby ceiling.
A year after that, cracks were found in the parking garage again.
Ultimately, the work was completed, but not before the Federal Railroad Administration sued the project’s designer, Wilbur Smith & Associates of South Carolina, for defective design and negligence. A complete overhaul of the station in the early 2000s changed the layout by creating island platforms in the middle and adding escalators.
Beyond the unopened escalator and overpass extension set to be available in April, other improvements by the state include a walkway to connect the platform to Atlantic Street, canopy extensions and new shelters for the two center island platforms, and signage upgrades.
The additions are designed to “provide safety and operational improvements to the station and will serve the commuters and the community of Stamford for years to come,” according to the state DOT.
For Maron, such improvements are overshadowed by chronic issues at the station, as well as a theme of delayed work and errors.
“For the customer and the taxpayer, it is incredibly frustrating either to see a new escalator that can’t be used for five years or a garage that is crumbling as we’re driving through it every day,” he said.
Committee might put controls on rock crushing
Kelly Kultys
NORWALK — City building permits could soon include a line item for developers and contractors looking to do rock crushing on-site.
Right now, rock crushing is allowed, as long as the contractor has a building permit, Michael Wrinn, the city’s assistant director of planning and zoning, told the Common Council’s Health, Welfare and Public Safety Committee.
“You don’t need a permit as long as you have a building permit, so that’s a separate category,” Wrinn said. “If you have them on-site and you’re processing materials that’s on your site in order to build a structure or something like that, that’s perfectly fine to crush the rock in place.”
Problems usually tend to arise from contractors bringing other materials onto the site to be crushed, which is illegal, Wrinn said.
“If they bring material into that site to be crushed along with that other stuff that’s legal, that’s a problem,” he said. “Then you’re running a different type of business, then essentially you’re running a contractor’s yard on that site and that’s not allowed, you’re going to get a notice of violation.Council members, however, said they often get complaints from residents about rock crushing and other similar activities that cause dust and noise. Because there’s no separate permit or line item to check off, city officials don’t have to be notified when it’s taking place, said Patrick King of the Building and Code Enforcement office.
The committee plans to look at other cities’ codes and see what language they have for rock crushing regulations. The plans would then go to the ordinance committee and then a line could be added to the permits related to rock crushing.
“If it’s not a zoning issue, it’s a building issue, they’re going by building code,” Hempstead said. “I think we’ve got to start from scratch a little on it.”
The issue was first raised last month by residents near the Springwood Ely Park tennis courts who were affected by the dust from rock crushing and uncovered piles.
Councilman Chris Yerinides, however, encouraged his fellow committee members to look into adding more funding for enforcement instead of relying on members of the public to police the issues. “Is there any way we could get a little more proactive with this stuff?” he said. “We need to look at enforcement across the board.”
ELLEN ZOPPO-SASSU: Yes, Route 6 is almost done
Ellen Zoppo-Sassu
From Terryville to Farmington, Route 6 in Bristol has evolved over time into a major commercial corridor and main route, known to the locals as “the Avenue.” It is heavily traveled, and largely built out with mostly commercial uses abutting residential neighborhoods. As a major arterial roadway that carries both local and through traffic, it is a critical link to downtown, while providing important access into Bristol’s neighborhoods as well as to Farmington and Plymouth.
The city recently completed a study of the Route 6 Corridor that is available online at the city’s website. Many of the commercial complexes are aging and may be on the threshold of redevelopment. The question becomes how to encourage reinvestment in the corridor and at the same time encourage that redevelopment to be of a shape and form the community desires. All of this creates some challenges for today but also strong future opportunities.
Connected to the future of this roadway, the State of CT project to reconstruct the Route 6 Corridor from the intersection of Mix to the Farmington town line is entering its final six months. In fact, Eversource is on schedule to complete their work this week.
Meanwhile, Empire Construction indicated that they anticipate completing concrete work in the next two months followed by full depth reconstruction of the roadway. Full depth reconstruction means digging up the existing pavement, installing gravel, process and pavement. During full depth reconstruction two way traffic will be maintained, and then reduced to one way traffic provided at night. The state DOT will issue and provide a construction notice two weeks prior to the start of night operations.
At the end of this two year process, the city will have improved turning lanes, upgraded traffic signals, additional travel lanes, and the installation of ADA compliant ramps at all intersections as well as new curbing and sidewalks.
We understand that this has been a difficult process for those who travel on Route 6 on a regular basis, as well as to those neighbors who live on the now popular “cut through streets.”
With that being said, I want to take a moment to talk about the businesses who have seen the traffic stack up, their access points blocked, and people comment that they are going to “stay away from the area.” Despite the closing of Sonic and Staples, neither of which were connected to the construction, we have seen dozens of small businesses soldier on and become creative to retain customers.
The City Council and I would like to encourage Bristol residents to be positive and instead of avoiding the area, take the opportunity to adventure out to a new store or restaurant that you haven’t tried yet.
For example, the West End Association’s Taste of Bristol 20% discount card is good for the entire month of April and features Bonsai Japanese Restaurant, Chunky Tomato, Corner Pizza, Menchie’s Yogurt, Fuji Japanese Steak House, Fresh Craft Grille with a Carvel inside it; Thai Avenue, and ZZaam on it – all located on Route 6. (Taste cards available for $5 purchase in the Mayor’s Office).
On Sunday, April 7, you can also participate in the Cash Mob by stopping in at the family-owned Golden Pagoda in the Bristol Farms Plaza (with the Edge and Big Lots) from noon to 9 p.m. These Cash Mobs are designed to give a local business a big boost on one specific day, with the thought that it may attract potential new customers.
In addition to these named businesses there are dozens more - lawyers, medical, massage therapists, hair salons, pet supplies, home improvement, cars, real estate and insurance, laundry facilities, baskets and gifts, auto parts, computer services, and printers.
The next time you are traveling down the Avenue, please take a moment to look around when you are at a traffic light or paused in traffic, and make a decision to visit a business you have not visited before.
If everyone did that once a month over the next six months, imagine the support that would bolster these businesses, all of which contribute to our tax rolls and help pay for the municipal services that we all enjoy.
Work on downtown Meriden housing development progressing
Mary Ellen Godin
MERIDEN — Workers from Haynes Construction are laying the foundations for the individual rowhouses and building that will make up the 81-unit mixed income housing development at 11 Crown St.
New Jersey-based Michaels Organization is leading the $31 million project following a closing last month that involved a $16.7 million construction loan from Webster Bank. Webster’s financing includes a $10.7 million investment in low-income housing tax credits and a $750,000 subsidy.
The project also received a $6 million state loan and $750,000 in affordable housing program funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank.
“Webster is proud to be the lead bank for this project, which will positively affect so many in the community,” Webster Bank senior vice president Robin Gallagher said in a statement. “There is a high demand for affordable rental housing options and we’re pleased to be a key partner in getting 11 Crown St. developed.”
The development, which is in the transit-oriented district, will consist of two garden-style low rises, and a mid-rise building facing the Meriden Green. One, two and three bedroom apartments will be available. Amenities include a community center and a play area.
A total of 17 apartments will be offered at market rates, while the rest will be reserved for families earning less than 60 percent of the area median income. The affordable apartments will include 17 units reserved for the homeless, according to a Michaels Organization statement. Targeted supportive services will be provided by Columbus House, including health screenings and financial literacy and children’s programs.
“We are grateful for the city’s support of this development, which is an important part of the overall transformation of downtown Meriden,” said Andrew Davenport, vice president of development at Michaels.
Michaels will provide property management services following construction.
The city-owned parcel, formerly the Record-Journal Publishing Co., is being leased to Crown Street Associates. Under a ground lease agreement, the development company will develop the site and gain ownership once construction is completed.
As part of the lease, the city has received a payment of $495,000, earmarked for maintenance of the Meriden Green park and flood control site, city officials said. The building will be taxable following the construction period. It is subject to an 80 percent tax abatement authorized by the City Council for a 17-year period.
The Crown Street development will also change its address to 2 S. Colony St. when it begins marketing the units, city officials said.
The project is the fourth downtown project in the city’s five-year plan to relocate former residents of the Mills Memorial Apartments, a public housing complex demolished last year.
“The design (of 11 Crown St.) incorporates a nod to Meriden’s industrial past while building new, state of the art homes that are timeless and consistent with the historic downtown character,” according to the city’s economic development website.
The city purchased the site in 2014 using a $495,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city identified the Michaels Organization as the preferred developer through a bid process. After the Michaels Organization determined the Record-Journal building could not be repurposed, the city applied for and received a $1.73 million grant for environmental cleanup and demolition.
“Investment in and around our city center is essential for redevelopment as a community,” said Mayor Kevin Scarpati. “We are very excited with this innovative concept to build a mixed-use of various dwelling styles, offering better quality housing for our current and future residents.”
Majority Leader Ritter Clashes with GOP leader Klarides over highway tolls
Christopher Keating
But House Republican leader Themis Klarides countered by saying that Ritter’s statement was a lie, adding that Republicans currently have a bill pending in the finance committee. She had clashed publicly during a recent meeting on the same issue with Sen. Carlo Leone, a Stamford Democrat who co-chairs the transportation committee.
Republicans have been traveling around the state in a “road show’’ of public forums that have focused on sharp opposition to tolls.
“The House Republicans have no counter proposal whatsoever. They’ve done nothing,’’ Ritter told Capitol reporters in stronger-than-usual language. “They just say, ‘No, no, no, no’. I give the Senate Republicans credit. Len did something. Senator Fasano put out a bill – Prioritize Progress. The problem we’ve always had with that is we’re going to get a giant credit card the size of this room. That’s what they’re doing.’’
Ritter added, “We have nothing from House R’s – just silence and screaming. So we’ve got to figure this all out. … If you don’t have a proposal, stop yelling and screaming. I will tell you right now. They’re so wrong – the House Republicans – the screaming, the press conferences, the road show.’’
Politically, Ritter said, “We won seats in Fairfield County, where it was unthinkable that a pro-toll candidate could win in the House and Senate. … So every time they do these road shows, I love it – because we’ll pick up seats.’’
Klarides, though, took strong exception to those remarks.
“They just say we don’t have any alternatives. That’s a lie,’’ Klarides responded. “It is a straight lie, and the people of the state should not take it.’’
Concerning Ritter, Klarides said, “If he says we have no plan, then he is actually lying. I don’t know what else to say. I am very cautious to use that word in regards to anybody. But if he is saying we have no plan – just like the chairman on the transportation committee said we have no plan. Unfortunately, just because he is not aware that there’s a Prioritize Progress concept bill in the finance committee, now we have to do the job of the Democrats and tell them what’s in each one of their committees? Because he didn’t know it is not our problem.’’
Klarides told The Courant: “You know what? Shame on him. He knows damn well that that has been in the House and Senate Republican budgets for the past four years. Very simple. In paper. In writing. Online. Anywhere you want to find them. Four years. OK?’’
Connected to the future of this roadway, the State of CT project to reconstruct the Route 6 Corridor from the intersection of Mix to the Farmington town line is entering its final six months. In fact, Eversource is on schedule to complete their work this week.
Meanwhile, Empire Construction indicated that they anticipate completing concrete work in the next two months followed by full depth reconstruction of the roadway. Full depth reconstruction means digging up the existing pavement, installing gravel, process and pavement. During full depth reconstruction two way traffic will be maintained, and then reduced to one way traffic provided at night. The state DOT will issue and provide a construction notice two weeks prior to the start of night operations.
At the end of this two year process, the city will have improved turning lanes, upgraded traffic signals, additional travel lanes, and the installation of ADA compliant ramps at all intersections as well as new curbing and sidewalks.
We understand that this has been a difficult process for those who travel on Route 6 on a regular basis, as well as to those neighbors who live on the now popular “cut through streets.”
With that being said, I want to take a moment to talk about the businesses who have seen the traffic stack up, their access points blocked, and people comment that they are going to “stay away from the area.” Despite the closing of Sonic and Staples, neither of which were connected to the construction, we have seen dozens of small businesses soldier on and become creative to retain customers.
The City Council and I would like to encourage Bristol residents to be positive and instead of avoiding the area, take the opportunity to adventure out to a new store or restaurant that you haven’t tried yet.
For example, the West End Association’s Taste of Bristol 20% discount card is good for the entire month of April and features Bonsai Japanese Restaurant, Chunky Tomato, Corner Pizza, Menchie’s Yogurt, Fuji Japanese Steak House, Fresh Craft Grille with a Carvel inside it; Thai Avenue, and ZZaam on it – all located on Route 6. (Taste cards available for $5 purchase in the Mayor’s Office).
On Sunday, April 7, you can also participate in the Cash Mob by stopping in at the family-owned Golden Pagoda in the Bristol Farms Plaza (with the Edge and Big Lots) from noon to 9 p.m. These Cash Mobs are designed to give a local business a big boost on one specific day, with the thought that it may attract potential new customers.
In addition to these named businesses there are dozens more - lawyers, medical, massage therapists, hair salons, pet supplies, home improvement, cars, real estate and insurance, laundry facilities, baskets and gifts, auto parts, computer services, and printers.
The next time you are traveling down the Avenue, please take a moment to look around when you are at a traffic light or paused in traffic, and make a decision to visit a business you have not visited before.
If everyone did that once a month over the next six months, imagine the support that would bolster these businesses, all of which contribute to our tax rolls and help pay for the municipal services that we all enjoy.
Work on downtown Meriden housing development progressing
Mary Ellen Godin
MERIDEN — Workers from Haynes Construction are laying the foundations for the individual rowhouses and building that will make up the 81-unit mixed income housing development at 11 Crown St.
New Jersey-based Michaels Organization is leading the $31 million project following a closing last month that involved a $16.7 million construction loan from Webster Bank. Webster’s financing includes a $10.7 million investment in low-income housing tax credits and a $750,000 subsidy.
The project also received a $6 million state loan and $750,000 in affordable housing program funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank.
“Webster is proud to be the lead bank for this project, which will positively affect so many in the community,” Webster Bank senior vice president Robin Gallagher said in a statement. “There is a high demand for affordable rental housing options and we’re pleased to be a key partner in getting 11 Crown St. developed.”
The development, which is in the transit-oriented district, will consist of two garden-style low rises, and a mid-rise building facing the Meriden Green. One, two and three bedroom apartments will be available. Amenities include a community center and a play area.
A total of 17 apartments will be offered at market rates, while the rest will be reserved for families earning less than 60 percent of the area median income. The affordable apartments will include 17 units reserved for the homeless, according to a Michaels Organization statement. Targeted supportive services will be provided by Columbus House, including health screenings and financial literacy and children’s programs.
“We are grateful for the city’s support of this development, which is an important part of the overall transformation of downtown Meriden,” said Andrew Davenport, vice president of development at Michaels.
Michaels will provide property management services following construction.
The city-owned parcel, formerly the Record-Journal Publishing Co., is being leased to Crown Street Associates. Under a ground lease agreement, the development company will develop the site and gain ownership once construction is completed.
As part of the lease, the city has received a payment of $495,000, earmarked for maintenance of the Meriden Green park and flood control site, city officials said. The building will be taxable following the construction period. It is subject to an 80 percent tax abatement authorized by the City Council for a 17-year period.
The Crown Street development will also change its address to 2 S. Colony St. when it begins marketing the units, city officials said.
The project is the fourth downtown project in the city’s five-year plan to relocate former residents of the Mills Memorial Apartments, a public housing complex demolished last year.
“The design (of 11 Crown St.) incorporates a nod to Meriden’s industrial past while building new, state of the art homes that are timeless and consistent with the historic downtown character,” according to the city’s economic development website.
The city purchased the site in 2014 using a $495,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city identified the Michaels Organization as the preferred developer through a bid process. After the Michaels Organization determined the Record-Journal building could not be repurposed, the city applied for and received a $1.73 million grant for environmental cleanup and demolition.
“Investment in and around our city center is essential for redevelopment as a community,” said Mayor Kevin Scarpati. “We are very excited with this innovative concept to build a mixed-use of various dwelling styles, offering better quality housing for our current and future residents.”
Majority Leader Ritter Clashes with GOP leader Klarides over highway tolls
Christopher Keating
Highway tolls has
become a highly emotional issue at the state Capitol, and top legislators are
now clashing sharply over both tolls and their possible alternatives.
House majority leader
Matt Ritter of Hartford blasted House Republicans this week by saying they have
not come forward with any alternatives to their strident opposition to
electronic highway tolls. Other Democrats have complained that Republicans have
failed to push an alternative bill in the transportation committee – the main
panel that has been studying the hot-button issue of tolls.But House Republican leader Themis Klarides countered by saying that Ritter’s statement was a lie, adding that Republicans currently have a bill pending in the finance committee. She had clashed publicly during a recent meeting on the same issue with Sen. Carlo Leone, a Stamford Democrat who co-chairs the transportation committee.
Republicans have been traveling around the state in a “road show’’ of public forums that have focused on sharp opposition to tolls.
“The House Republicans have no counter proposal whatsoever. They’ve done nothing,’’ Ritter told Capitol reporters in stronger-than-usual language. “They just say, ‘No, no, no, no’. I give the Senate Republicans credit. Len did something. Senator Fasano put out a bill – Prioritize Progress. The problem we’ve always had with that is we’re going to get a giant credit card the size of this room. That’s what they’re doing.’’
Ritter added, “We have nothing from House R’s – just silence and screaming. So we’ve got to figure this all out. … If you don’t have a proposal, stop yelling and screaming. I will tell you right now. They’re so wrong – the House Republicans – the screaming, the press conferences, the road show.’’
Politically, Ritter said, “We won seats in Fairfield County, where it was unthinkable that a pro-toll candidate could win in the House and Senate. … So every time they do these road shows, I love it – because we’ll pick up seats.’’
Klarides, though, took strong exception to those remarks.
“They just say we don’t have any alternatives. That’s a lie,’’ Klarides responded. “It is a straight lie, and the people of the state should not take it.’’
Concerning Ritter, Klarides said, “If he says we have no plan, then he is actually lying. I don’t know what else to say. I am very cautious to use that word in regards to anybody. But if he is saying we have no plan – just like the chairman on the transportation committee said we have no plan. Unfortunately, just because he is not aware that there’s a Prioritize Progress concept bill in the finance committee, now we have to do the job of the Democrats and tell them what’s in each one of their committees? Because he didn’t know it is not our problem.’’
Klarides told The Courant: “You know what? Shame on him. He knows damn well that that has been in the House and Senate Republican budgets for the past four years. Very simple. In paper. In writing. Online. Anywhere you want to find them. Four years. OK?’’