Town of Wethersfield

Economic Development Update

June 2005

A Monthly Update of Construction and Development Activity in Wethersfield, CT
Prepared By Peter D. Gillespie, Town Planner and Economic Development Manager
Phone: (860) 721-2838    E-mail: peter.gillespie@wethersfieldct.com

RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS/NEW BUSINESSES

Nature Center - Town of Wethersfield , Prospect Street

Construction is complete on the renovation of the former Moeller Home for the adaptive reuse to a Nature Center. This 5,000 s.f. building will accommodate the center's relocation from the Community Center. A grand opening was held on June 11.

Sherwin Williams Paint, 725 Silas Deane Highway

A temporary CO was issued to allow the grand opening of Sherwin Williams Paint in this new building.

1390 Berlin Turnpike (Jordan Lane Shopping Center) Friendly Fitness

A CO was issued for the conversion of this vacant storefront (former Fashion Bug) 21,000 s.f. into a fitness facility which will be operated by Friendly Fitness out of Westwood, Massachusetts.

APPROVED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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 developer received approval for an additional 3,000 s.f. on the second floor.

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.

61 Arrow Road LLC

Renovations are nearing completion 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 UPDATE

Construction has commenced on the renovations and handicapped accessibility improvements to the Town Hall/Library Building. On June 21 the PZC approved the new façade plan.

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.

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.

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.

1290 Silas Deane Highway - Priority Care

Interior renovations are underway to fit out this existing space for this new tenant.

Eblen's - Jordan Lane Shopping Center, Berlin Turnpike

Façade plans were approved to carve out another retail space of approximately 5,000 s.f in the end unit of the shopping center.

APPROVED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS NOT YET UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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.

Cedar Hill Cemetery - Berlin Turnpike

The plans were approved at the PZC meeting of June 7 for the construction of an additional mausoleum in the Cemetery.

Household Finance Corporation - 1281 Silas Deane Highway - Goff Brook Shops NEW

A tenant fit out plan has been approved to finish this vacant storefront to accommodate Household Finance Corporation.

1130 Silas Deane Highway - Marshall's NEW

A permit has been issued to remodel the interior of this store and rebrand the store as Marshall's Home Goods.

632 Silas Deane Highway - International Institute of Cosmetology NEW

A façade improvement plan has been approved to renovate the exterior face of this building.

PLANNING/DESIGN STAGE

Folly Brook Boulevard - Age Restricted Housing UPDATE

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 rescheduled the hearing until July 19 pending approval from the Wetlands Commission.

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

A zone change application has been filed for this property and a hearing has been scheduled for the August PZC meeting. The plans indicate 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.

Church Homes - Ridge Road UPDATE

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. A zone change application is expected to be filed in July.

Proposed Dunkin Donuts 416 Silas Deane Highway UPDATE

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. A hearing was held on June 21 and was continued to the July 19 meeting.

Proposed Tim Horton's Restaurant 486 Silas Deane Highway

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.

Comstock Ferre - 253 Main Street

An application was approved to convert this office space in 253 Main Street into a Danish and coffee shop.

Former Bennigan's Restaurant - Silas Deane Highway NEW

Plans are being prepared to renovate this building for a new restaurant - Firehouse Grill.

Phoenix Medical LLC, 1260 Silas Deane Highway NEW

Permitting is underway for a small addition to this building to accommodate a chemotherapy infusion center.

DEVELOPER/PROPERTY OWNER CONTACT

1178 Silas Deane Highway - Fun Zone

Negotiations are underway for the purchase of this property for a potential redevelopment of this site for a national retail tenant.

Goff Road - Multi Family Housing NEW

Spoke with property owner regarding the possible development of site for multi family housing.

Dental Laboratory - Relocation NEW

Working with business owner considering relocation of existing business to Wethersfield.

Car Wash - Berlin Turnpike NEW

Met with a partnership looking for a site for a car wash facility on the Berlin Turnpike.

Delicatessan - Silas Deane Highway NEW

Working with owners of existing delicatessen interested in relocating to Town.

OTHER INITIATIVES

Silas Deane Highway Revitalization Committee

Economic Development and Improvement Commission

Chamber of Commerce

Tourism

Planning and Zoning Commission

MEETING/EVENT SCHEDULE JULY

July 6 Design Review Committee 6:30 p.m.
July 7 Chamber of Commerce 8:30 am
July 14 EDIC 4 p.m. TIME CHANGE
July 19 Planning and Zoning Commission 7:00 p.m.
July 19 Silas Deane Highway Committee 5:30 p.m.
July 20 Design Review 6:30 p.m.
July 26 Tourism Commission 5:30 p.m.


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