Paula Larsen, Main Street Creamery 271 Main Street

On April 12 a Ribbon Cutting was held to celebrate the grand reopening at 271 Main Street for the Main Street Creamery.

Michael Karabetsos/Bob Yandow, 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.

Mercury Fuel Service, Inc, 151 Silas Deane Highway

A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy was issued for 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.

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

A Certificate of Occupancy has been issued to reopen the site of the former Main Street Creamery space into a new ice cream shop.

Yellow Book - 912 Silas Deane Highway

Office renovation to accommodate new office tenant - Yellow Book.

Valero Gasoline 930 Silas Deane Highway NEW

New signage and gasoline dispensers have been installed for the conversion of this former Sunoco station to the new operator's Valero.

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.

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 s.f. 48 seat restaurant offering Philippine food. The grand opening is scheduled for early May.

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.

1855 Berlin Turnpike, Cumberland Farms Inc.

Demolition is complete and construction has begun 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.

Lasik Plus Vision Center - 1206 Silas Deane Highway

Building permits have been issued to fit out this vacant space and the business should be open in early May.

Baby Boom - 1303 Silas Deane Highway - Goff Brook Shops

Building permits have been issued for the renovation of this space to accommodate a new retail tenant Baby Boom.

Beazley Realty - 1202 Silas Deane Highway

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

Nextel - 250 Silas Deane Highway

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

A building permit has been issued and interior renovation has begun to convert this space into medical offices.

20-30 Beaver Road - Storm Tech NEW

Interior renovation is underway to accommodate an expansion of an existing tenant Storm-Tech.

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 and a Zone Change Application 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. The PZC has scheduled a Public Hearing for May 3.

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

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 were presented to the boards and commissions in early April.

Proposed Dunkin Donuts 416 Silas Deane Highway NEW

Preliminary Plans have been submitted for the construction of a new Dunkin Donuts restaurant at the site of Suny's restaurant. The plans include a 2,800 s.f. building with a drive thru window.

Proposed Tim Horton's Restaurant 486 Silas Deane Highway NEW

Preliminary plans have been submitted for the construction of a 1700 s.f. restaurant with drive thru at the site of the Carnival Ice Cream shop.

Berlin Turnpike

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

Comstock Ferre - 253 Main Street NEW

Discussed permit issues with the conversion of office space in 253 Main Street into a coffee shop.

58 Maple Street NEW

Spoke with DB Motorsports of New Britain about leasing this vacant space.

Bed and Breakfast Establishment NEW

Received an inquiry about the possibility of opening a bed and breakfast establishment in Old Wethersfield.

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 were held on March 30.
• On April 29 the Town Manager signed the Assistance Agreement with the State of Connecticut for the $500,000 STEAP Grant.

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.
• On March 31 the quarterly breakfast meeting was held with the real estate community.
• The Finance Committee is working on the final details of the Loan program and expects to start the program in early June.

Chamber of Commerce

• On Saturday night, April 30 the Chamber of Commerce held a fundraising/anniversary event to support their scholarship program. The event will be held at the Country Club.
• Thursday morning May 5 the Chamber and the Town will be hosting the annual State of the Town address at the Country Club.
• On Wednesday evening May 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Country Club the Chamber of Commerce will be holding it's Annual Meeting.

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 consultant is in the midst of compiling the results of a Citizen's survey.
• The Commission applied for 2 grant requests through the State's Tourism Partnership Grant and partnered with the Webb Deane Stevens Museum and the Village Improvement Association. The grants are worth $3,000 each.
• The May edition of Connecticut Magazine featured the first of a series of ads promoting Historic Wethersfield and the website. Visits to the website showed a marked increase immediately after the ad was placed. Additional versions of the ad will appear in June and July.
• The Commission is reviewing a draft plan and report for a town wide wayfinding sign program and will be presenting the report to the Council before any public meetings are held.
• On March 25 at 5:30 p.m. the Tourism Commission in partnership with the EDIC is holding an event at the Tavern to familiarize the region's meeting planners with Historic Wethersfield. Tours of the Town's historic visitor sites and local businesses will be offered.

Assistant Planner NEW

On April 28 the second round of interviews was held with the final candidates for this position. A selection is expected shortly.

Hartford Business Journal NEW

1290 Silas Deane Highway was recently spotlighted as the property of the week in the Hartford Business Journal.