Town of Wethersfield

1025 Silas Deane Highway - Hartford Medical Group Office Building

A building permit application has now been issued and construction has started on a 19,205 s.f. medical office building for the Hartford Medical Group at the Wethersfield Shopping Center.

326 Silas Deane Highway - Nirvana Salon Academy

Permit applications have been issued to allow this local business to relocate, reuse and renovate the former Abbate Florist on the Silas Deane Highway.

1290 Silas Deane Highway - Technical Training School

The PZC has approved the use of an entire floor (22,000 s.f.) in the 1290 Silas Deane Highway office building. The tenant is a technical training school.

1267-1309 Silas Deane Highway - Harry's Wine and Liquor (Goff Brook Shoppes)

The PZC has approved plans to renovate the vacant 8,000 s.f. space in the Goff Brook Shops formerly occupied by Baby Boom.

512 Silas Deane Highway - Connecticut Outfitters

Connecticut Outfitters - a sport fishing store has just opened in the former Acme Auto store space on the Silas Deane Highway, they relocated to Town from Hartford.

982-990 Silas Deane Highway - Mila Fabric - Façade

Construction has commenced by the owner of 982-990 Silas Deane Highway for the creation of 2 new façades 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 Town is assisting with a façade loan for both of these projects.

486 Silas Deane Highway - Tim Horton's - Cold Stone Creamery

Electrical and Plumbing permits have been filed for the addition of a Cold Stone Creamery counter in this business.

• Meeting was held with individual interested in renovating the former Masonic Building on Main Street.
• Discussed permit issues for Comstock Ferre property with interested architect.
• Met with business representatives interested in opening a produce store in the Goff Brook Shops.
• Met with owner of the Alpine House looking for additional space for product storage.
• Met with Peter Mirabelli interested in expanding his business into the space formerly occupied by Monroe Muffler.
• Responded to site selector request for space for Call Center. Looking for building that could accommodate 300-400 work stations.

• 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. Meeting scheduled for April 8.
• 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.
• Continuing to work with Hartford City Officials on the Wethersfield Avenue - Silas Deane Highway Streetscape project as part of the federal stimulus plan.

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. I have attached a copy of the status report on available funding for the program.
• A 5 year tax incentive request has been approved by Town Council for 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.
• 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 were held during 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 PZC will review this request at a hearing in early April.

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. The State has requested additional permitting for the project prior to the bid process.
• 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. Presently reviewing plan with affected Town Departments.
• Working on some changes to our Land Use Fee Ordinance to be submitted for Council consideration in the near future. Presently reviewing draft with all affected departments and commissions.
• Beginning process to review and update Town's subdivision regulations. These regulations have not been comprehensively updated since the 1960s.
• Working on RFP for consultant to update 2000 Plan of Conservation and Development.