Town of Wethersfield

Pelton's Home Health Care - 898 Silas Deane Highway

A TCO has been issued for the first and second phases of this project to renovate the basement level for office and administrative use and for the first floor retail use. Façade improvements are planned in the next few months.

1841 Berlin Turnpike - Top Trimmers Salon

A building permit has been issued for this space for a new hair salon.

Marsh Street - Olsen House

Renovation of this building is underway.

Stillman Walk - Nott Street - 55+ Housing

Additional permits have been approved.

Folly Brook Commons - Folly Brook Boulevard

The first building is complete and occupancy is anticipated in the next few weeks.

9/11 Memorial Sports Center - 30 Greenfield Street

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

Nathan Hale Apartments, AHEPA, Inc. - Elderly Housing Project - 1532 Berlin Turnpike

An application was approved by the ZBA and the PZC to permit the construction of an addition to the existing building to accommodate 42 additional units. A building permit has been approved. The project was delayed as additional State funds were pursued to cover budget overruns. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on December 1 at 11 a.m.

Former Amici's Restaurant - Pal's Pub - 672 Silas Deane Highway

On January 2 the PZC granted approval for the renovation of this building and for the use of an outdoor patio for a new restaurant/café in this building. Construction is now underway.

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

An interior demolition permit has been issued to conduct some interior work to this building. An application has been approved by Design Review and a building permit application has been approved. Construction is now underway.

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. Construction is now underway.

251 Main Street - The Bean and Grape (Former Crown and Kringle)

The PZC has approved plans to reopen this space as a coffee house which will also sell select foods and wine.

638 Silas Deane Highway - Prosthetics Business

Plans have been submitted to renovate this space for a new prosthetics business.

Cottone Field - Sports Lighting

An application has been filed for a Special Permit to install sports lighting at Cottone Field.

1260 Silas Deane Highway - Hartford Hospital

A revised inland wetlands application has 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.

61 Arrow Rd. - Phase 3

On March 18 the PZC approved plans for a new free standing cold storage building of approximately 5,000 s.f.

580 Silas Deane Highway - The Flower Box

Plans are being reviewed for a 20 x 89 foot addition on the south side of the building.

Progress Drive - CREC - Soundbridge School

On April 1 the PZC approved plans for an expansion to the school which would double the size of the building.

850 Silas Deane Highway - National Health Care Assoc.

Building permits have been issued to renovate this office space for this new tenant.

1267 - 1309 Silas Deane Highway - Goff Brook Shops

Plans have been submitted to DRAC for a free standing restaurant pad site for Arby's Restaurant.

322 - 334 Silas Deane Highway - Paul Randazzo

A zone change application has been filed to rezone various properties in anticipation of an mixed use office/retail building of approximately 10,000 s.f. The hearing is scheduled for May 6.

Lot 4 Progress Drive - Office Building

A PZC application and plans have been submitted for site plan approval for the construction of a 2 story medical office building at this site, the building is roughly 20,000 s.f. and will be known as the Connecticut Center For Cosmetic Enhancement and Young Pharmaceuticals.

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. Met with developer and he indicated that a PZC application will be submitted in the next few weeks.

295 Ridge Road - Church Homes -

A CO has been issued for the renovation of this building to accommodate 13 condominium units. A preliminary plan has been submitted for the second phase of this project which would change the approved plans and include an assisted living facility. The PZC will discuss this matter at their May 6 meeting.

Arby's Restaurant

Met with representatives interested in possible site for free standing restaurant building.

1000 Silas Deane Highway - Former Weight Watchers

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

Berlin Turnpike Property

Met with engineers and developer looking at development feasibility of property on the Berlin Turnpike.

Fun Zone

Met with developer representatives investigated existing conditions at this site. Test borings have been performed as part of this research.

Webster Bank - 1160 Silas Deane Highway

Met with bank representatives to discuss possible building renovations, façade improvements and the construction of a stand alone ATM.

• Work has begun on the streetscape project and are presently waiting to hear on the final details of our State Bonding of additional funds.
• Submitted Federal grant application through Congressman John Larson's office for an additional $1,000,000 for traffic and streetscape improvements for the Silas Deane Highway.
• 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. The sub committee met on February 15 and met again in early March.

• Continue to meet with property owners interested in the façade program. Have committed funds to 10 business/property owners to date totaling $256,212.

Economic Development and Improvement Commission

• Continue to work with Keiler & Co. on marketing and promotion of the Town. A press release was developed promoting some of our new business starts this year.
• Working with the Chamber of Commerce on a breakfast meeting with the business community and are discussing possible topics.
• On March 24th the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism sponsored a meeting entitled "When Hollywood Comes Knocking" to discuss opportunities for local communities to attract film companies and productions in Connecticut. Will be discussion this further at future meetings.

Tourism

• We continue to work with Allegra Farms from East Haddam to operate the Horse and Carriage rides in Old Wethersfield through our recent State grant. The effort has been very successful and we intend to continue to operate this program throughout the rest of the year on select weekends. Rides are planned for May 10, 11 and 24.
• We were informed by the Historical Society that we have received a $5,000 grant from the State Commission on Culture and Tourism. A grant was filed for funds to conduct a strategic marketing plan.
• Working with the Town's IT Department to activate a new online database of all the properties in the Historic District. Through a grant with the CT Trust For Historic Preservation the Town has developed and electronic searchable database for use by citizens and the historic district commissioners. We expect the system to be online soon.
• Met with representatives from PITA Communications to discuss design ideas for the Billboard advertising program on the major highways in Connecticut during the months of June and July.
• The Commission is interested in sponsoring a photo contest for local residents to promote the scenic beauty of the Town.

Redevelopment Agency

• Will be working with the Agency on a public information strategy to solicit additional public input on the redevelopment issue. The date of the first session is June 11 at the Silas Deane Middle School.
• The agency is presently researching the procedures necessary to initiate a redevelopment plan.

Preserve America

• A public hearing on the draft plan is scheduled for May 20th .
• We have heard that we have been awarded $90,000 to be used for gateway improvements and a wayfinding signage program. Official notification has not yet been received.