SEA Goff Plaza Wethersfield LLC - Office Depot - 1295 Silas Deane Highway

On Thursday March 10 a Grand Opening ceremony was held for Office Depot's new location at the Goff Brook Shopping Center. The planned improvements included a modified façade, signage and rear loading dock to accommodate this tenant. In addition the new property owners have initiated the reproofing of the entire center at a cost of nearly $1,000,000.

1090 Silas Deane Highway - Starbucks Coffee

On Friday March 18 a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held with the Chamber of Commerce to welcome Starbucks Coffee to town.

Paula Larsen, Main Street Creamery 271 Main Street

On Thursday March 24 a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy was issued for the addition to the front of the residence at 271 Main Street which will accommodate the relocation of the Main Street Creamery to this site. The addition will provide room for several indoor tables as well as waiting space for customers, a brick patio will create additional outdoor seating for customers.

Michael Karabetsos, Bob's Fruit Stand - 1825 Berlin Turnpike

A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy was issued for this new 1,200 s.f. building and outdoor display areas for Bobs Fruit Stand. This project also included the demolition of the existing building and parking improvements to accommodate the new operation.

A.J. Wright, Jordan Lane Shopping Center, 1420 Berlin Turnpike

Interior renovations are complete for a 10,000 s.f. expansion of A.J. Wright into adjacent vacant space in this center.

Mercury Fuel Service, Inc., 151 Silas Deane Highway

Construction is nearing completion for sometime in April at the site of the former Hughes Brothers Gas Station at the corner of the Silas Deane Highway and Jordan Lane. The existing building was demolished to make way for a new, 2,581 s.f. convenience store, new pump islands and canopy and underground fuel storage tanks. A separate car wash building is planned in the future.

Southside Partners LLC 82-86 Wolcott Hill Road

Construction is well underway on a new one-story multi-tenant office building on Wolcott Hill Road near the intersection of Jordan Lane. The buildings will consist of a 7,470 s.f. office and an 800 s.f. free-standing storage building at the rear of the site. The applicant received approval for an additional 3,000 s.f. on the second floor. Updated

Mozzicato Development, 38-46 Wells Road

Construction of a 6,428 s.f. addition to the existing building at the corner of Wells Road and the Silas Deane Highway has begun. The one story brick addition would also include the renovation of the exterior façade of the existing building resulting in consistent exterior treatment to the entire site. The proposed tenant is Sherwin Williams Paint..

James Duquette - Kainan Restaurant - 1030 Silas Deane Highway

Interior renovation are nearing completion to convert this former salon space into a 2,800 sf 48 seat restaurant offering Philippine food. The grand opening is scheduled for Mid-April.

The Hospitality Corporation - Best Western - 1330 Silas Deane Highway

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 1 and construction is underway for the Best Western - Camelot Inn on a one-story addition on the south side of the building to accommodate an indoor pool and jacuzzi.

Town of Wethersfield Moeller Home, Prospect Street

Construction has started on the renovation of the former Moeller Home for the adaptive reuse to a Nature Center. This 5,000 s.f. building footprint will accommodate the center's relocation from the Community Center.

61 Arrow Road LLC

Renovations have started at the former Arrow Tool Building at the corner of Arrow Road and Russell Road. The project will be constructed in 2 phases with the first phase consisting of 25,000 s.f. of industrial space which could accommodate up to 12 tenants. The second phase will involve the renovation of 15,000 s.f. of Office space. The exterior façade of the building will be improved and additional on-site parking will be created.

505 Silas Deane Highway - Town Hall and Library Renovation

Construction has commenced on the renovations and handicapped accessibility improvements to the Town Hall/Library Building.

1390 Berlin Turnpike (Jordan Lane Shopping Center) Friendly Fitness

Interior demolition and improvements are underway to convert the vacant storefront (former Fashion Bug) 21,000 s.f. into a fitness facility which will be operated by Friendly Fitness out of Westwood, Massachusetts.

804 Silas Deane Highway Juniors Pizza

Plans have been approved to convert this vacant storefront into a pizza restaurant.

Motel 6, 1341 Silas Deane Highway

Repairs to the roof at Motel 6 were approved by the Building Department in early January and construction is underway.

1855 Berlin Turnpike, Cumberland Farms Inc.

Demolition should begin shortly on the demolition and construction of a larger convenience store/gasoline filling station on the site of the existing Cumberland Farms building on the Berlin Turnpike. The project would include a new 4,185 s.f building, new pump island canopy and new underground fuel storage tanks. ConnDot has requested changes to the site plan to address traffic concerns and these improvements have now been approved.

Lasik Plus Vision Center - 1206 Silas Deane Highway NEW

Building permits have been issued to fit out this vacant space.

Baby Boom - 1303 Silas Deane Highway - Goff Brook Shops NEW

Building permits should be issued shortly for the renovation of this space to accommodate a new retail tenant Baby Boom.

Hall Mark's Homemade Ice Cream Shoppe - 217 Main Street NEW

A floor plan has been approved to reopen the former Main Street Creamery space for a new ice cream shop.

Beazley Realty - 1202 Silas Deane Highway NEW

A tenant fit out plan has been approved for this new real estate office.

Nextel - 250 Silas Deane Highway NEW

A building permit has been issued for the installation of a small shelter and antenna to the cell tower at the Police Headquarters.

Jefferson X-Ray - 1260 Silas Deane Highway NEW

A building permit has been issued to convert this space into medical offices.

Yellow Book - 912 Silas Deane Highway NEW

Office renovation to accommodate new office tenant - Yellow Book.

Double A Veterinary Clinic - 106 Nott Street

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a small addition on the east side of this building and construction should start soon.

Nathan Hale Apartments, AHEPA, Inc. - Elderly Housing Project - 1532 Berlin Turnpike

An application was approved by the ZBA and the PZC to permit the construction of an addition to the existing building to accommodate 42 additional units. The project was delayed as additional State funds were pursued to cover budget overruns.

Folly Brook Boulevard - Age Restricted Housing

An Inland Wetlands application has been filed for 12 units of age restricted 55+ housing units for a site located at the corner of Folly Brook and Spruce Street. Plans were reviewed on March 2 by the Design Review Committee.

Old Reservoir Road/Back Lane - Harris Property - Age Restricted Housing

Conceptual Plans are presently being reviewed for the construction of 39 single family housing units under our new special residential development regulations. PZC reviewed the preliminary plans at their first meeting in January.

Cedar Hill Cemetery - Berlin Turnpike

Met with representatives from the Cemetery interested in constructing and additional mausoleum in the Cemetery.

Church Homes - Ridge Road NEW

Preliminary plans have been submitted to renovate the existing brick building at this site and construct a complex of new town house style building for approximately 55 age restricted housing units. The plans will be presented to the boards and commissions in early April.

1000 Silas Deane Highway (Foodways)

Continue to discuss with interested parties the purchase and use of this site for a variety of options.

Berlin Turnpike

Spoke with realtor listing property on Berlin Turnpike about zoning issues and recruitment assistance of commercial tenant for property.

Silas Deane Highway Revitalization Committee

• The Committee received 11 proposals from firms interested in assisting the Town with the development of the streetscape plan for the Highway, On March 2 interviews were held and the field was narrowed to 2. Follow up interviews will be held on March 30.
• The Committee is developing a plan to improve the center island North Gate way at the Hartford Line which they hope to plant in the Spring. The Committee is working on the development of an Adopt A Tree Program and is looking at a ceremony to be held on Arbor Day April 29.

Economic Development and Improvement Commission

• Working with Paul Montinieri of the EDIC and Tom Hemphill from the Town's Data Services Department on improved methods of getting a higher profile and more valuable information out of the Town's Web Site.

Chamber of Commerce

• On Saturday night, April 30 the Chamber of Commerce will be holding a fundraising/anniversary event to support their scholarship program. The event will be held at the Country Club.
• The next Business After Hours is scheduled for Thursday April 7 at D'Esopo Funeral Chapel.
• Thursday morning May 5 the Chamber and the Town will be hosting the annual State of the Town address at the Country Club.

Tourism

• The Commission continues to work with their consultant R and R to develop a series of Tourism Strategies for the Town. A public workshop on this effort was held on February 17 at the Community Center and was attended by approximately 15 people.
• The Commission is investigating a possible grant opportunity through the State's Tourism Partnership Grant and staff will be submitting an application before the April 8 deadline.
• The Commission will be advertising Historic Wethersfield in Connecticut Magazine during the months of May, June and July.
• The Commission is reviewing a draft plan and report for a town wide wayfinding sign program.