Town of Wethersfield

713 Silas Deane Highway - Merry Maids

Merry Maids has opened a small office in the Mozzicato complex at the corner of Wells and Silas Deane Highway.

82-86 Wolcott Hill Rd. - Just The Basics

376 Silas Deane Highway - Burchell/Wilson Mental Health Services

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 well 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.

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.

Church Homes - Ridge Road

A Zone Change application has been approved 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. On Friday June 30 a ribbon cutting was held for the first 2 model units opened as part of this project.

486 Silas Deane Highway - Tim Horton's

Site work is well underway now on this project at the corner of Church Street.

Kainan Restaurant - Silas Deane Highway

This restaurant is in the midst of converting to a Thai food restaurant.

1045 Silas Deane Highway - Friendly's Restaurant

Plans have been submitted for a new façade, signage and interior renovations to this restaurant.

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 approved by the PZC for an expanded parking facilities at the church.

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 July 18.

91 Nott Street

A public hearing will be held on July 18 for a zone change application to rezone this site for 55 and over single family style homes. Preliminary plans were reviewed by the PZC at their June 6 meeting.

54 Beaver Road - Michael Orsini

The PZC has approved plans to renovate this building to accommodate a small electrical and plumbing contractor business.

672 Silas Deane Highway

Discussions have been held to convert this space into a retail business specializing in fireplaces, stoves etc.

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.

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 been notified that we were awarded an additional $500,000 through the State Bond Commission STEAP funds.
• Fuss and O'Neill has submitted a draft of the final report/plan and we are planning to make a presentation to the PZC at their July 18 meeting.
• The Town Engineer has prepared an RFP for the Church Street intersection and we are recommending awarding this contract to DeCarlo and Doll.

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 we will solicit interest from property owners and merchants in July.
• On Wednesday morning June 14 at the Country Club the EDIC held a breakfast seminar on business assistance programs. Speakers from local banks, CL&P and the Town discussed 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 for the July 17 Council meeting.

Tourism

• The Commission has run a series of radio spots on NPR during the months of May and June.
• The Commission has completed work with Oldham Studios on the creation of a display board and graphic presentation that was used for the Destination Connecticut Event held at the CT Convention Center on June 1.
• We have received the signed Preserve America grant agreement from the NPS for the Old Wethersfield Master Plan. The committee has now met 3 times and is working on the RFP for consultant selection.
• 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.