Town of Wethersfield

370 Silas Deane Highway - Patient's Choice Homecare

Occupancy has 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.

Occupancy has been approved to renovate this space for a technology office user.

61 Arrow Road - Torrington Supply

61 Arrow Road - Custom Pipe and Drain

Crown and Kringle - 251 Main Street

804 Silas Deane Highway - Athens Pizza and Restaurant

401 Silas Deane Highway - John Oldham

On May 22 the ZBA granted approval for use of a portion of the first floor of this space for a retail dance and exercise clothing store.

Proposed Dunkin Donuts 416 Silas Deane Highway

Demolition is complete and construction 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.

1912 Berlin Turnpike

This property has recently sold and we have had discussions with the new owner for the construction of an office building at this site.

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 PZC Hearing was held on May 2 and the hearing has been continued to June 6. A petition against this application has been filed with the Commission.

Fire House Grill - 1151 Silas Deane Highway

The PZC has approved plans for the construction of an outdoor patio for this restaurant.

Village Cemetery - Main Street

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

511 Maple Street - Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church

An application has been filed with the PZC for an expanded parking facilities at the church. This application was heard on May 2 and has been tabled to the June 6 meeting.

121 Main Street - Rainbow Center

Plans and an application have been approved to renovate the second floor of this building to office space and to construct additional on-site parking.

People's Choice Pizza - 1866 Berlin Turnpike

Plans and a PZC application have been approved to convert this space to a pizza delivery business.

884 Silas Deane Highway - City Fish

Plans and applications have been filed with the PZC to add some office space, enclose the loading dock and add some inside and outside seating. A public hearing has been scheduled for June 6.

Cumberland Avenue - Northeast Utilities building

Met briefly with representatives interested in the redevelopment of the site.

Redevelopment Opportunity

Met with a partnership looking at the redevelopment of a cluster of buildings for redevelopment.

Progress Drive

Working with the Town Attorney in an effort to encourage the existing property owners to complete the work required for this subdivision and develop the 4 remaining lots in this Business Park. We have received complaints about the condition of this private road.

245 Main Street

Discussed plans with architect for the renovation of the building into 4 residential units.

91 Nott Street

Met with developers interested in developing property for 55 and over single family style homes. Preliminary plans will be reviewed by the PZC at their June 6 meeting.

Restaurant Chain

Provided list of potential sites to realtor looking for 1 acre site for a national restaurant chain.

Silas Deane Highway Revitalization

• We have heard that the Bond Commission will be meeting in mid June to determine which communities will be funded for the next round of STEAP funds.
• Fuss and O'Neill has submitted a draft of the final report/plan and we are discussing dates for a final public review of the document.
• The Town Engineer has prepared and RFP for the Church Street intersection as detailed in the Fuss and O'Neill plan with a deadline of June 15.

Economic Development and Improvement Commission

• We are negotiating with Keiler and Co., from Farmington, Conn. to be retained for public relations and marketing services.
• The finishing touches have been placed upon the façade improvement program for the Silas Deane Highway as funded through the STEAP grant. It is anticipated that upon Council authorization we will solicit interest from property owners and merchants in June.
• On Wednesday morning June 14 at the Country Club the EDIC is hosting a breakfast seminar on business assistance programs. Speakers from local banks, CL&P and the Town will discuss opportunities available to small businesses in Wethersfield.
• The finishing touches are being placed upon a "wrap" of a AA Transit Bus that will be available for local shuttles and excursions. The wrap will have local Wethersfield photos and images with the appearance of a trolley. Efforts are underway to partner with event planners to shuttle Convention Visitors into Town. The wrap should be completed in the next few weeks.
• Received a request for a tax incentive from a small business that is in the midst of relocating to Town. Application has been forwarded to Town Council for consideration.

Tourism

• The Commission has run a series of radio spots on NPR during the month of May.
• The Commission has completed work 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.
• We have received the Preserve America grant agreement for the Old Wethersfield Master Plan. The Town Attorney is presently reviewing the language which should soon be ready for the Town Manager's signature. The Town Manager is in the midst of appointing a steering committee to oversee this planning effort and a meeting is planned for early June.
• Working with the Hartford Business Journal for ad placement in the next edition of the Greater Hartford Guest Guide. This hard cover publication highlights the places and things to do in the Hartford area and is placed in over 5,000 rooms in the region and is viewed by over 1.2 million visitors annually.