Town of Wethersfield

Tom's Trains - 729 Silas Deane Highway

Hanger Orthopedic Group - 715 Silas Deane Highway - Interior Renovations

974 Silas Deane Highway - New England Patio and Hearth

Interior renovations are complete for a new retail tenant New England Patio and Hearth. The tenant will occupy over 9,000 square feet of space.

20-30 Beaver Road - Kenny, Brimmer and Mahoney, LLC

Work has been completed for interior renovations for this office tenant to occupy 2,370 s.f. of space in this existing building.

61 Arrow Road - Compass Engineering Group

Renovations are complete for the renovation of this space for the relocation of this firm from Rocky Hill.

263 Main Street - Comstock Ferre - Karen Rossi Studios

A new studio and store has opened at Comstock.

Proposed Dunkin Donuts 416 Silas Deane Highway

Demolition is complete and site work is underway 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.

1715 Berlin Turnpike - Car Wash Facility

Construction is underway for a new car wash facility on the Berlin Turnpike on a vacant lot adjacent to Hooter's Restaurant - Gator Wash.

370 Silas Deane Highway - Patient's Choice Homecare

Plans have been approved for the renovation of this space for an office use for a home health care provider.

370 Silas Deane Highway - Systems Integration, Inc.

Plans have been approved to renovate this space for a technology office user.

Paula Rubinow - Main Street Creamery

The PZC has approved an expanded menu and permission for outdoor events on weekends at the Main Street Creamery.

Church Homes - Ridge Road

A Zone Change application has been submitted for this site to permit the development of plan for Phase 2 of this project which would add an additional 17 1-story units to the rear of the property. The DRAC reviewed the preliminary plans at their Feb 1 meeting. A Hearing is scheduled for May 2.

Fire House Grill - 1151 Silas Deane Highway

Preliminary plans have been submitted for the construction of an outdoor patio for this restaurant. The plans will be reviewed by the PZC at their May 2 meeting.

Village Cemetery - Main Street

A Special Permit application has been filed for a small expansion of the cemetery onto residential property adjacent to the Cemetery.

Cumberland Avenue - Northeast Utilities building

Several offers have been made for the reuse of this building and we are waiting to hear which proposal works best for the owner.

1881 Berlin Turnpike

This property is under contract and we have had discussions with the new owner for the construction of an office building at this site.

709 Silas Deane Highway

Discussed the use of this space with a small business owner interested in opening a holistic healing center.

511 Maple Street - Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church

Meetings have been held with church representatives regarding plans to expand the parking facilities at the church.

TDBankNorth - Wells Road

Preliminary meetings have been held to discuss plans to renovate and expand the bank.

Silas Deane Highway Revitalization Committee

• A public information meeting was held on Monday evening March 27 at the Rocky Hill Town Hall. Approximately 100 people attended this 2 1/2 hour presentation made by the design team headed up by Fuss and O"Neill, a final draft of the plan incorporating public comments is expected to be delivered in April.
• The Design Review Advisory Committee reviewed the draft Design Guidelines at their March 1 meeting and were supportive of the progress.
• Staff met with DECD staff to discuss the status of our STEAP grant, staff will be preparing a list of potential projects to fund from the grant and we are still waiting to hear on the status of our second STEAP funding request. We have heard that the Bond Commission will be meeting in late April to determine which communities will be funded.

Economic Development and Improvement Commission

• On March 15 the Commission held a very successful breakfast meeting at the Country Club attended by approximately 75 members of the business community. Speakers from Blades, Max Bibo's, City Fish, Clearing House Auction Galleries, the Wooden Toy and Neill Walsh Goldsmith shared the secrets to their success.
• We have narrowed the field down to 2 firms to be retained for public relations and marketing services. Final proposals are due on April 11.

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.

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 April 4 meeting.
• On March 23 at the Annual meeting of the Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies former member Earl Munroe and present member Robert Jurasin were recognized for their 12 years of service to the Commission and former member George Oikle was given a lifetime achievement award.

Preserve America Grant

On March 6 we received official notification that the Town was awarded a $50,000 grant to fund a master plan for Old Wethersfield. Mayor Morin attended a ceremony on Capitol Hill with First Lady Laura Bush to receive the award. We have started the process to prepare for the grant award.