Express Dental Lab - 286 Silas Deane Highway

Plans were approved by the PZC to renovate this single family home into a small dental laboratory. A building permit application has been filed and interior construction is underway.

709 Silas Deane Highway - Hanger Orthopedics

Interior renovations are underway to remodel the existing space for this business.

277 Main Street - C'est Bien - Nail and Skin Salon

Interior renovations are under way to renovate this space for a salon.

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.

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.

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 approved. The project was delayed as additional State funds were pursued to cover budget overruns. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on December 1 at 11 am.

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.

76 Country Club Road - Wethersfield Country Club

Construction is underway on a new maintenance building that will be used to store golf carts.

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. Building permit applications have been filed and construction is expected to begin shortly.

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. Building permit applications have been filed.

Folly Brook Boulevard - Age Restricted Housing

An application has been approved by the Inland Wetlands Commission and by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their meeting on January 17 for approval of a zone change and 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.

61 Arrow Road - Office Renovations

At their meeting on January 17 the PZC approved plans to renovate a 16,500 s.f. space in this building for office occupancy.

632 Silas Deane Highway - International Institute of Cosmetology

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

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.

Phoenix Medical LLC, 1260 Silas Deane Highway

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

Wolcott Center Condo Association - 685 Wolcott Hill Road - Façade Improvements

Plans have been approved for façade improvements to the building containing Leo's Pizza, Wolcott Hill Barber Shop and Spero's Wine and Spirits.

Old Town Café - 181-187 Main Street- Outdoor Patio

An application has been approved to construct a small addition that will include and outdoor patio for patrons.

Doug Buck - 411 Hartford Avenue - Art Academy

Applications have been filed to renovate the historic barns on this property into a performing arts academy. The ZBA approved several variances at their meeting in December PZC applications will be filed in the next few months.

Carol Narciss - 7 Railroad Place - Gift Shop and Coffee Bar

Applications have been submitted to convert this building house the former bike shop into a gift shop with a small coffee bar.

370 Silas Deane Highway - Office Use

Plans have been submitted to renovate the building for the use of a computer company.

245 Main Street

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

Wellness Center

Working with a realtor interested in finding a site to construct a medical/wellness center in Town. Looking for 5+ acres.

91 Nott Street

This 5 acre site was recently placed on the market for sale and I have met with and discussed development scenarios with over a half dozen interested parties for a variety of different types of development.

Silas Deane Highway Revitalization Committee

• The final draft is expected to be delivered any day now and a public meeting is scheduled for Monday evening March 27 at Rocky Hill Town Hall.
• The draft design guidelines will be discussed by the Design Review Advisory Committee at their next meeting to be held on March 1.

Economic Development and Improvement Commission

• The Commission has announced a new program aimed at encouraging local resident to shop at local stores and establishments. The details of the program are still being worked out. We will be working with Wethersfield Life to promote one local business each month. We have heard from the business community that they need some assistance with the promotion of their businesses to the Wethersfield community.
• On March 15 the Commission is planning on sponsoring a workshop to profile successful business techniques that a cross section of the business community has found to work successfully for them. This event will be held at the Country Club at 8:00 a.m..
• The Commission has started to discuss the creation of the façade improvement program for the Silas Deane Highway. A portion of our STEAP grant will be used to fund this program. The preliminary thoughts are to make this program a 100% grant program. The details of the program will be finalized and then submitted to Council for final approval.
• We have received 6 responses to our marketing and public relations rfq and we will be looking to make a recommendation to the Council at their March 20 meeting. Interviews will be held on March 1.
• We presently have 3 vacancies on the Commission and we are actively looking to appoint these new members.
• Provided an article for the next Chamber newsletter on last year's Salute To Business.

Tourism

• The Commission is in the midst of negotiations with the National Trust for Historic Preservation on a scope of services for a Tourism Plan for Wethersfield.
• The Commission is working with Oldham Studios on the creation of a display board and graphic presentation to be used for the Destination Connecticut Event to be held at the CT Convention Center. This event has been rescheduled to June 1.
• Working with the Historical Society on a visitor survey which will be used to track and quantify the type of visitor we receive and the impact that they have on the local economy.
• One of the Commission members is working with the staff at the Convention Center to develop a relationship with the various event planners in order to coordinate visits to Wethersfield. Additionally, he is working with AA Transportation on some form of shuttle transport that would drop off convention visitors in Old Wethersfield.
• The March edition of Yankee Magazine has an article that prominently discusses in text and photographs the homes of the Webb Deane Stevens Museum.

Planning and Zoning Commission

• The Commission is presently reviewing the zoning regulations as they relate to the parking of commercial motor vehicle in residential zones. The Commission has received a staff memorandum on this issue and will be discussing the subject at their March 7 meeting.
• The Commission is considering a request by the Main Street Creamery to permit an expanded menu and events and parties that would occur in the back yard of this property on a seasonal basis.
• Met with representatives from the Village Cemetery to discuss plans for a small expansion of the Cemetery onto property that they have recently required.

Old Wethersfield Shop Keepers Association

• Received a proposal from the merchants organization and their interest in having the zoning regulations modified to permit temporary signs and banners in this commercial district. Will be discussing this with the PZC at a future meeting.