Town of Wethersfield

1715 Berlin Turnpike - Car Wash Facility

Construction is complete for a new car wash facility on the Berlin Turnpike on a vacant lot adjacent to Hooter's Restaurant - Gator Wash. A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Saturday October 7.

486 Silas Deane Highway - Tim Horton's

A CO has been issued for this project at the corner of Church Street.

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.

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.

1105 Silas Deane Highway - Sake Café Japanese Restaurant

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

884 Silas Deane Highway - City Fish

Plans and applications have been approved by the PZC to add some office space, enclose the loading dock and add some inside and outside seating.

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. PZC will most likely review this application in November.

Folly Brook Commons - Folly Brook/Spruce Street

A building permit application has been filed for the first 4 unit building of this 12 unit 55 and over condominium project.

1912 Berlin Turnpike

This property has recently sold and we are continuing discussions with the new owner for the construction of 2 small office buildings at this site and the relocation of his business to Town.

Regional Restaurant Chain

Additional contacts have been made with representatives of a small regional restaurant chain for a reuse proposal for an existing building in Town. Toured several sites and visited their existing location in the Hartford area.

Retail Furniture Store

Discussed possible reuse of a vacant commercial space with prospective retail tenant.

Property Owner Contact

Met with adjoining property owners to discuss possible partnership with the development of contiguous parcels as one larger development opportunity.

Developer Contact

Met with developer rep interested in Berlin Turnpike parcel.

Developer Contact

Met with local developer looking for small to mid size development opportunity in Town.

Property Inquiry

Responded to inquiry for property for corporate headquarters.

Property inquiry

Responded to inquiry about development opportunity for one of our larger, vacant properties on the Silas Deane Highway.

Property owner contact

Discussed redevelopment opportunities with Silas Deane Highway property owner.

National Fast Food Chain

Responded to inquiry about zoning issues for the construction of a fast food restaurant on Silas Deane Highway.

Old Wethersfield

Met with new owner of property about renovation plans and potential use of our façade program for beautification project.

Wethersfield Shopping Center

Discussing possible reuse of vacant space with retail tenant for Wethersfield Shopping Center.

• 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. DECD has indicated that it is likely that portions of our STEAP funds could be used for these improvements.
• A flyer announcing the availability of the Silas Deane Highway Façade Program has been mailed to all businesses and property owners on the Silas Deane Highway. Several inquiries have been received. An article will be placed in the Chamber newsletter which we hope will go to print in October.
• We were advised that we may be in line for an additional $200,000 in State funds for the SDH façade program.

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 was provided to the EDIC in early September.
• The 2006 Business Survey has been mailed out with a return date of September 30. To date over 70 responses have been received.
• Continuing to work with business beautification loan recipients for the 3 approved loans made by the EDIC; 80 Garden Street, 136 Main Street and 685 Wolcott Hill Road. Trying to schedule a closing in early October for the 136 Main Street loan.
• A meeting was held with the Chamber regarding the 2006 Salute To Business event to be held on December 7 at the Country Club. We are receiving nominations for this year's award winners please let me know if you would like to nominate a project.
• A flyer advertising additional available funds for the business beautification program has been mailed out to the business community. 1 additional loan application has been received. Several conversations have been held about possible project funding.

Tourism

• Working with the Hartford Business Journal for ad placement in the next edition of the Greater Hartford Hotel 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.
• Working with the GHCVB on an ad to be placed in the 2007 Greater Hartford Visitor Guide.

Redevelopment Agency

• Over a dozen residents have expressed interest in serving on the newly formed Redevelopment Agency. Interviews were conducted during the week of September 25 and Council may make the 5 appointments at their first meeting in October.

Preserve America

• The committee has been meeting on a regular basis and we are in the midst of reviewing the responses to our RFP. The Committee interviewed several firms on Sept 21 to review the RFP's and hopes to get a recommendation to Council in the next few weeks.

We are presently working on the following grants:

• Preserve America Historic Wethersfield Master Plan Grant ($50,000).
• Silas Deane Highway STEAP 1 to be used for planning, engineering, streetscape and façade improvements ($500,000).
• Silas Deane Highway STEAP 2 to be used for streetscape improvements ($500,000).
• Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grant for a web based data management system for the Historic District ($6,000).