Town of Wethersfield

1025 Silas Deane Highway - Hartford Medical Group Office Building

A building permit application has now been issued for the construction of a 19,205 s.f. medical office building for the Hartford Medical Group at the Wethersfield Shopping Center. Construction is expected to begin any day.

1330 Silas Deane Highway - Comfort Inn (former Best Western)

On Thursday March 5 at 12 noon the new management will be hosting a buffet lunch to celebrate the new name, renovations and management of the Comfort Inn.

1267-1309 Silas Deane Highway - Goff Brook Shops

This 71,000 s.f. shopping center has been sold to an LLC from Wallingford for $6.8 million.

Pocket Communications - 729 Silas Deane Highway

This space formerly occupied by Re-Bath has now opened as a showroom for the communications provider Pocket Communications.

• Waiting for permit applications from a local business interested in possible reuse and renovation of former Abbate Florist on the Silas Deane Highway.
• Meeting has been scheduled with individual interested in renovating the former Masonic Building on Main Street.
• A PZC application has been filed for the use of an entire floor in the 1290 Silas Deane Highway office building. The tenant is a technical training school.
• Anticipating application for the use of the 8,000 s.f. vacant space in the Goff Brook Shops.
• Discussed possible interest in 512 Silas Deane Highway (Former Acme Auto) with business interested in relocating to Town.

• Continuing to work with CRCOG representative to discuss possible options and locations for new bus shelters at key locations on the Silas Deane Highway and in other locations in Town.
• Waiting to hear about our STEAP application for $500,000 for the remaining funding necessary to complete the streetscape improvements in front of Town Hall.
• A funding request has been made through the office of Congressman Larson to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for $1.5 million to be used for additional segments of the streetscape improvements on the Silas Deane Highway.

Economic Development and Improvement Commission

• We received approval from the State OPM to use portions of our recent $200,000 STEAP grant for the Silas Deane Highway Façade Program. This will allow us to extend the available funding for this program.
• Two façade application requests have been approved for the owner of 982-990 Silas Deane Highway for the creation of 2 new facades on these buildings. At the present time one of the buildings is being used for storage and the other building houses Mila Fabric and New England Patio and Hearth. The proposed improvements are valued at approximately $475,000. The Commission has agreed to grant 2 separate loans in the amount of $50,000 each.
• A tax incentive request has been filed by the owner of 291 Ridge Road to assist with the financing of an 80 bed assisted living facility as Phase 2 of this project. The applicant estimates that this 70,000 s.f. project with construction costs of approximately $7 million will be completed by the Fall of 2010. Once additional information is received the request will be forwarded to the Council for review. Staff are continuing to review and respond to the request.
• The Commission is working on the details for a breakfast seminar to be held at the Country Club date and time not yet set.
• The Commission is continuing to work on a draft of the Economic Development Strategic Plan.

Redevelopment Agency

• Received 6 responses to the RFP for consulting services to prepare a redevelopment analysis and Plan for the Fun Zone property. Interviews are scheduled for the first week in March.

Tourism

• Volunteers are working on significant updates and redesign to the Historic Wethersfield website.
• Working with Central CT Tourism District to encourage bus tour operators to schedule visits to Town
• Progress is being made for the possible start up of a Farmers Market in 2009
• The Commission has requested that the Town is nominated for an upcoming edition of This Old House Magazine's "The Best Places to Buy an Old House."

Preserve America

• We are continuing to work with the State on the award of $115,000 towards the gateway project at Marsh Street. We are working on plans in anticipation of putting the project out to bid in the near future.
• A subcommittee is beginning work on the details of the wayfinding signage program and will be releasing an RFP for the sign details in the near future. The Town has been awarded a $90,000 grant from the Preserve America Program to assist with this project.

Noteworthy

• Received a draft GIS survey of Town Departments from outside consultant.
• Working with Finance Director and Town Manager to prepare Bond Rating Report for Bond Sale.
• Historic District Property database will be completed and placed online in the very near future staff have now been trained on its use and maintenance.
• Working with Town Manager and other Department Heads on several "Shovel Ready" economic stimulus projects that we hope are funded by the Federal Government
• Working on some changes to our Land Use Fee Ordinance to be submitted for Council consideration in the near future.
• Beginning process to review and update Town's subdivision regulations. These regulations have not been comprehensively updated since the 1960s.
• Our appreciation to Phil Lohman who has provided us with a copy of the winter horse and carriage ride photo that recently appeared in the Hartford Courant.
• Staff are working with CRCOG on potential changes to block group maps in anticipation of the 2010 Census.