Town of Wethersfield

TD BankNorth - 25 Wells Road

On November 12 a TCO was issued for the first phase of the new bank building.

7 Rail Road Place - Narcissus

On November 12 a CO was issued to open this site as a chocolate, gift and coffee shop. The Town has agreed to assist this project with a façade grant to upgrade the property.

222 Main Street - Standish House - J. Michael's Tavern

The building has reopened under new management as J. Michaels Tavern.

Progress Drive

The completion of the road infrastructure has been completed.

Silas Robbins House - 185 Broad Street

On November 2nd this bed and breakfast received its first guests.

1695 Berlin Turnpike - 5th Avenue Motel

Construction is now underway for a second building at this site to accommodate an additional 11 rooms.

Marsh Street - Olsen House

Renovation of this building is now underway.

Stillman Walk - Nott Street - 55+ Housing

Additional permits have been approved.

580 Silas Deane Highway - Wild Rover Restaurant and Pub (Bunker Café)

Plans have been submitted to renovate the building into and Irish Pub to be known as the Wild Rover Pub.

Folly Brook Commons - Folly Brook Boulevard

Completion of the first building and occupancy is anticipated in the next few weeks.

943 Silas Deane Highway - Tranquil Moments Massage Therapy

Plans have been approved for use of this second floor space for a message Therapy business.

965B Silas Deane Highway - Noble Nails

Plans have been approved to renovate this former martial arts study to accommodate the occupancy of Noble Nail Salon.

Silas Deane Highway - former Porch and Patio - Pelton's Home Health Care

Interior demolition is underway to renovate this building for the new headquarters of Pelton's. The Town has agreed to provide façade funds and a tax incentive towards this project.

Comstock Ferre and Co. - Main Street

An application to the HDC has been approved for the demolition of the rear portion of the building to accommodate the creation of a mixed use retail-office and residential project and a new building fronting on Church Street is also planned. The HDC decision has been appealed. A meeting was held with the CT Trust For Historic Preservation to investigate the possible reuse and renovation of the buildings and we have received some sketches with recommendations as to which portions of the barn they believe should be incorporated into the design.

1260 Silas Deane Highway - Hartford Hospital

An inland wetlands application and a PZC application have been approved for plans that include an expansion of 13,000 s.f. to the existing building and parking lots to accommodate the growing needs of this medical facility. Applications to the DEP and Army Corps will need to be approved before construction can commence.

61 Arrow Rd. - Phase 3

The PZC has a pending application for a new free standing cold storage building of approximately 5,000 s.f. This application will be reviewed again in December.

9/11 Memorial Sports Center - 30 Greenfield Street

PZC approval was recently issued for the renovation and remodeling of the Pitkin Community Center.

Town Line Road - KFC/Hines Sudden Service

The PZC has approved plans for the demolition and reconstruction of buildings on this site to accommodate 2 new buildings, a new restaurant and larger office building.

Former Fire House Grill - 1151 Silas Deane Highway - Humphrey's

An interior demolition permit has been issued to conduct some interior work to this building.

912 Silas Deane Highway - Façade Improvements

Plans have been approved to renovate the exterior of this office building at the corner of Maple and Silas Deane Highway. Façade improvement funds have also been granted towards this project. Spring construction is anticipated.

Lot 4 Progress Drive - Office Building

Plans have been submitted for the construction of a 2 story medical office building at this site, the building is roughly 20,000 s.f. an will be known as the Connecticut Center For Cosmetic Enhancement.

1000 Silas Deane Highway - Former Weight Watchers

Continue to discuss potential redevelopment potential of this site with an out of state interest.

462 Silas Deane Highway - Victorian Gallery

The tenant has recently moved out of this building, the property recently sold and we have been contacted by an additional interested buyer for the property.

Arrow Road/Berlin Turnpike

Preliminary Plans have been submitted to the PZC for several small buildings that would accommodate retail/restaurant and office space at this corner site.

Jordan Lane/Silas Deane Highway - Former Porter and Chester School

Have been contacted by engineering firm preparing plans for new retail and restaurant site.

Arby's Restaurant

Continue to work with representatives looking at new site for this restaurant.

Former Amici's Restaurant - Silas Deane Highway

Working with business woman looking at site for new restaurant/café in this building.

Silas Deane Highway - Office/Retail Building

Working with developer who has acquired several properties and is interested in tearing down buildings to accommodate larger office/retail building.

Silas Deane Highway Revitalization Program

• Continue to meet with property owners interested in the façade program. Have committed funds to 10 business/property owners to date totaling $256,212.
• Working with Colassale Construction on the streetscape project and are presently waiting to hear on the final details of our State Bonding of additional funds.

Economic Development and Improvement Commission

• Working with Greater Hartford Hotel Guide for a spotlight advertising section that will focus on Wethersfield businesses.
• Continuing to work with Keiler and Company to market the Town. They will be working on media relations, press releases and possible magazine and media stories that will be used to promote the Town. We have seen a recent increase in media coverage with a number of news stories covering the weekend of the Fall Craft Show. We have been working closely with a travel writer from the Boston Globe who spent several days in Town last week. Yankee magazine is also working on a piece that will promote the Town to visitors.
• December 12 Salute To Business event at the Country Club.
• Working on an update to the 2001 Economic Development Strategic Plan.

Tourism

• Worked closely with the Historical Society, the Shopkeepers Association, the Keane Foundation regarding a shuttle service around Old Wethersfield during the first weekend in October to take advantage of the Craft Show, the Scarecrows and the Silas Robbins House fund raisers.
• Working on ad placement for a number of visitor and tourism guides for next year.
• Have been contacted by a volunteer interested in working on a promotional video.

Redevelopment Agency

• Will be working with the Agency on a public information strategy to solicit additional public input on the Bond issue.
• Researching additional Regional, State and Federal funding options to support this effort.
• Will be meeting with property owners and developers regarding redevelopment issues.

Preserve America

• The next Committee meeting will be held in early December.

Planning and Zoning Commission

• The Commission has approved a proposal to create a new zoning regulation that would establish requirements for permitting rear lots.
• A subcommittee has been formed consisting of representatives from Design Review, PZC and the Redevelopment Agency to discuss the establishment of an overlay commercial zone on the Silas Deane Highway and the refinement of our design standards.