Town of Wethersfield

Economic Development Update

September 2005

A Monthly Update of Construction and Development Activity in Wethersfield, CT

Highlighted text indicates new or updated activity since last month.

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

Southside Partners LLC - 82-86 Wolcott Hill Road

A temporary Certificate of occupancy has been issued for the first floor of this 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.

61 Arrow Road LLC

Certificates of occupancy have been issued for 4 tenants in 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.

Jefferson X-Ray - 1260 Silas Deane Highway

A certificate of occupancy has been issued and interior renovation has been completed to convert this former attorney's office space into medical offices.

1290 Silas Deane Highway - Priority Care

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

200 Silas Deane Highway - Halloween Store

A certificate of occupancy has been issued to fit out this storefront for temporary retail use for the Halloween Store.

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.

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.

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.

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 approved for this site to permit the development of 13 age restricted apartment style condominiums. The developer intends to file an application for the development of the rear of the site in the near future.

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 approved to fit out the former Stop and Shop space for retail use by Ocean State Job Lots. Occupancy ids expected in early November.

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 be completed soon.

APPROVED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS NOT YET UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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. A building permit has been submitted. 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.

Proposed Dunkin Donuts 416 Silas Deane Highway

Plans have been approved for the construction of a new Dunkin Donuts restaurant at the site of Suny's restaurant. The plans include a 1,800 sf building with a drive thru window

Proposed Tim Horton's Restaurant 486 Silas Deane Highway

Plans have approved for the construction of a 1700 sf restaurant with drive thru at the site of the Carnival Ice Cream shop at the corner of Church Street.

1943 Berlin Turnpike - Greenman's Landscaping

The PZC has approved a plan to permit the occupancy of this site for a retail nursery.

23 Kelleher Court - Nextel

The PZC has approved a site plan to permit an additional provider at this site.

225 Spring Street - State of Connecticut Judicial Branch

A building permit has been issued to renovate over 30,000 square feet of this building for the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch for office space.

1380-1420 Berlin Turnpike - Façade Review

A new exterior storefront plan has been approved for this shopping center. This new tenant space will be located in the last remaining vacant space in the center next to the new Eblen's store. The tenant has not yet been identified.

PLANNING/DESIGN STAGE

Folly Brook Boulevard - Age Restricted Housing

A new application has been submitted to the Inland Wetlands Commission for approval of a site plan to permit 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 approved for this property which would permit the development of this site for age restricted housing. The preliminary 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.

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. The developer has submitted an application to amend the zoning regulations to permit this use.

245 Main Street

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

Fun Zone - Silas Deane Highway

Preliminary discussions 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 OCTOBER

October 4 Planning and Zoning 7:00 p.m.
October 5 Silas Deane Highway Committee 5:30 p.m.
October 6 Chamber of Commerce 8:30 am
October 11 Tourism Wayfinding Signage 5:30 p.m.
October 13 EDIC 12 Noon
October 18 Planning and Zoning Commission 7:00 p.m.
October 19 Design Review Committee 6:30 p.m.
October 25 Tourism Commission 5:30 p.m.


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