Town of Wethersfield

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.

1067 Silas Deane Highway - Halloween Store

Plans have been approved for a temporary retail space for a Halloween Store.

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.

1045 Silas Deane Highway - Friendly's Restaurant

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

54 Beaver Road - Michael Orsini

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

25 Wells Road - TD Banknorth

Design Review Plans have been submitted for an addition, exterior and interior renovation of this building for the bank. A new façade, roof line and landscaping are all planned.

1260 Silas Deane Highway - Hartford Medical Group

Plans have been approved for an addition to this building.

190 Silas Deane Highway - Teddy's Department Store

Plans have been submitted to renovate this space for retail use.

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 Sept 5.

91 Nott Street - Stillman Walk

A zone change application to rezone this site for 20, 55 and over single family style homes has been approved. Plans are presently being reviewed by the Inland Wetlands Commission.

1105 Silas Deane Highway - Sake Café Japanese Restaurant

Plans have been submitted to renovate this space into an Hibachi style Japanese restaurant.

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.

Met with local business looking for an industrial site for development.

245 Main Street

Met with attorney representing owner for the renovation of the building into 4 residential units.

Retail Chain

Provided list of possible retail spaces to regional retailer looking to relocate from another Hartford area community.

Olsen House - Marsh Street

Met with Mr. Clynch regarding his plans and permits process for the renovation and purchase of the building.

Fun Zone - Silas Deane Highway

Discussions have been held with a prospective tenant for the renovation and reuse of this building.

Regional Restaurant Chain

Contacts have been made with representatives of a small regional restaurant chain for a reuse proposal for an existing building in Town.

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 made a presentation to the PZC at their July 18 meeting.
• A preliminary plan from DeCarlo and Doll for the redesign of the Church Street/Silas Deane Highway Intersection has been received and is being reviewed by Town Staff
• A flyer announcing the Silas Deane Highway Façade Program has been mailed to all businesses and property owners on the Silas Deane Highway.

Economic Development and Improvement Commission

• We are now working with Keiler and Co., from Farmington, Conn. on our public relations and marketing services. The first initiative underway is to review and recommend changes to the Town's website, a preliminary report is expected in early September.
• The 2006 Business Survey has been mailed out with a return date of September 30.
• Continuing to work with business beautification loan recipients for the 3 approved loans made by the EDIC.
• A flyer advertising additional available funds for the business beautification program has been mailed out to the business community.

Tourism

• 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 we have received 6 responses to our RFP. The Committee will meet again on Sept 6 to review the RFPs.
• 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.
• Chris Traczyk made a presentation to the Town Council on the status of the wayfinding signage program at their August 21st meeting. The Committee will be working closely with the preserve America group as they plot out the details of this program.
• A brochure is being prepared for the promotion of the Wethersfield Trolley and a listing of a possible itinerary and contact information for group tour planners is also being prepared.