Town of Wethersfield

Economic Development Update

August 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

672 Silas Deane Highway, Treasure Rug Gallery

A new retail business has opened in this small storefront.

1855 Berlin Turnpike, Cumberland Farms Inc.

Construction is complete on the site of the existing Cumberland Farms building on the Berlin Turnpike. The project includes a new 4,185 s.f building, new pump island canopy and new underground fuel storage tanks.

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

A CO has been issued to accommodate Household Finance Corporation.

Eblen's - Jordan Lane Shopping Center, Berlin Turnpike

A CO has been issued to carve out another retail space of approximately 5,000 s.f in the end unit of the shopping center.

1130 Silas Deane Highway - Marshall's

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

1088 Silas Deane Highway - Cingular

A CO was issued for the fit out of this space for Cingular Wireless.

APPROVED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Comstock Ferre - 253 Main Street - Double Danish

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

Southside Partners LLC - 82-86 Wolcott Hill Road

Construction is nearing completion on a new 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

Construction is well 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 has been improved and additional on-site parking has been 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. On June 21 the PZC approved the new façade plan.

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.

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. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on August 3 and construction is underway.

Church Homes - Ridge Road

A Special Permit application has been filed for this site to permit the development of 13 age restricted apartment style condominiums. An initial public hearing was held on August 16 which has been continued to September 6. Interior demolition work has already begun.

Former Bennigan's Restaurant - 1151 Silas Deane Highway

The interior of this building is being renovated for a new restaurant - Firehouse Grill.

13 Wells Road - Ocean State Job Lot

A building permit application has been submitted to fit out the former Stop and Shop space for retail use by Ocean State Job Lots.

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.

632 Silas Deane Highway - International Institute of Cosmetology

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

PLANNING/DESIGN STAGE

Folly Brook Boulevard - Age Restricted Housing

At the August 18 meeting the Inland Wetlands Commission voted to disapprove of this application for 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.

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

A zone change application has been filed for this property and a hearing was held at the August PZC meeting. The plans indicate the construction of 39 single family housing units under our new special residential development regulations. There was much neighborhood opposition at the hearing which has been continued to the September 6 meeting.

Proposed Dunkin Donuts 416 Silas Deane Highway

Plans have been submitted for the construction of a new Dunkin Donuts restaurant at the site of Suny's restaurant. The plans include a 1,800 s.f. building with a drive thru window. A hearing was held on June 21 and has been continued until September pending review by the Wetlands Commission.

Proposed Tim Horton's Restaurant 486 Silas Deane Highway

Applications have been submitted for the construction of a 1700 s.f. restaurant with drive thru at the site of the Carnival Ice Cream shop at the corner of Church Street. The PZC will hold a public hearing on this project on September 6, 2005.

Phoenix Medical LLC, 1260 Silas Deane Highway

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

DEVELOPER/PROPERTY OWNER CONTACT

Berlin Turnpike - Car Wash Facility

Preliminary Plans are being developed for a new car wash facility on the Berlin Turnpike which was presented to the PZC at their August 16 meeting.

245 Main Street

Preliminary discussions have been held with a contractor interested in renovating this building for multifamily use.

Raymour and Flanagan - Fun Zone - Silas Deane Highway

Preliminary disussions have been held to discus the renovation of this building.

OTHER INITIATIVES

Silas Deane Highway Revitalization Committee

Economic Development and Improvement Commission

Chamber of Commerce

Tourism

Planning and Zoning Commission

Old Wethersfield Shop Keepers Association

MEETING/EVENT SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER

September 1 Chamber of Commerce 8:30 a.m.
September 6 Planning and Zoning Commission 7:00 p.m.
September 7 Design Review Committee 6:30 p.m.
September 8 EDIC 12 noon
September 20 P and Z Commission 7:00 p.m.
September 21 Design Review 6:30 p.m.
September 27 Tourism Commission 5:30 p.m.


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