CT Construction Digest Thursday July 23, 2020
Danbury seeks bids for design of Ellsworth school expansion
Julia Perkins
DANBURY — The city is looking for an architect to design the seven-classroom annex to Ellsworth Avenue Elementary School.
The roughly $7 million to $8 million project is expected to add much-needed space at the pre-kindergarten and elementary-school levels, which have seen growing enrollment. The district has applied for a state grant to cover 63 percent of the cost.
Architectural firms are asked to submit qualifications packages, so the city can create a short list for which company to use, according to the bid for the project. Qualifications must be submitted by 2 p.m. Aug. 6 to Charles J. Volpe Jr., purchasing agent, 155 Deer Hill Ave. Danbury, CT 06810.The goal is to complete design plans by January, start construction in June 2021 and move students into the building in August 2022.The classrooms will be built in the Family and Community Engagement Center on Osborne Street and near Ellsworth school.
Debate over hearing delays decision on Milford development proposal
Tom Ebersold
A proposed mixed-use development on the site of the former Smith Funeral Home has been tabled to give the Planning and Zoning Board time to review a plan for shared parking, to request a traffic study for the project area and to determine whether the board has the legal right to require a public hearing.
The board voted 9-1 at its July 20 meeting, in part, to get a legal opinion from the city attorney regarding whether it can require a public hearing for a project that only needs site plan approval. The board’s policy is to hold public hearings when a project requires a special permit.
“It is important that the community’s voice be heard,” said board member Robert Satti in making the motion to table and request a public hearing.
Metro 135 LLC with Robert H. Smith Jr. as a member has submitted plans to construct and renovate buildings at 125-135 Broad St. to create a mixed-use property. Since these plans only require site plan approval, no public
hearing typically would be required. The company previously constructed a 168-apartment complex at 92 Plains Road.
The 2.28-acre property in the Milford Center Design District is the location of the 6,690-square-foot Smith Funeral Home dating to 1855, a 5,700-square-foot industrial building dating to 1880, a 416-square-foot office building from 1950, and a garage.
The plans call for retaining the funeral home building and the office building, but demolishing the industrial building and garage, and replacing them with three new mixed-use retail and office buildings with a total of 77 apartments. The funeral home would have a first-floor office, with second-floor one- and three-bedroom apartments. The new buildings would have retail and office space on the first floor and apartments on the second and third floors, totaling 15 two-bedroom apartments, 32 one-bedroom apartments and 29 studio apartments.
Smith said the funeral home building is not in a historic district or subject to any historical commission restrictions. However, he said his firm has chosen to save the building. He also proposed to construct a monument to Simon Lake with a plaque.
“The former funeral home building will remain substantially intact,” said Smith. “This building has historical significance and will be treated in that regard.”
City leaders hold ceremonial ground breaking for Residences on Main
BRIAN M. JOHNSON BRISTOL – City and Chamber leaders joined Carrier Construction leadership in ceremonially breaking ground at the “Residences on Main” site, which is under construction, Wednesday. When completed, it will bring 32 new apartment units to Main Street within walking distance of downtown.
Univ. of St. Joseph to complete $16.2M athletic complex expansion by March
Sean Teehan
he University of St. Joseph is on track to complete a $16.2 million expansion of its O’Connell Athletic Center by March, after recently completing steel installation for the upgraded facility.
The project, which is being headed up by Hartford’s JCJ Architecture Inc., will more than double the size of the West Hartford university's sports complex to nearly 57,000 square feet, according to USJ.
Construction includes a full renovation of the existing facility in addition to the 31,000-square-foot addition.
When completed, the new facility will hold two basketball courts, a training room, strength and conditioning room, expanded laundry and equipment room, several new offices and the student health services center.
Julia Perkins
DANBURY — The city is looking for an architect to design the seven-classroom annex to Ellsworth Avenue Elementary School.
The roughly $7 million to $8 million project is expected to add much-needed space at the pre-kindergarten and elementary-school levels, which have seen growing enrollment. The district has applied for a state grant to cover 63 percent of the cost.
Architectural firms are asked to submit qualifications packages, so the city can create a short list for which company to use, according to the bid for the project. Qualifications must be submitted by 2 p.m. Aug. 6 to Charles J. Volpe Jr., purchasing agent, 155 Deer Hill Ave. Danbury, CT 06810.The goal is to complete design plans by January, start construction in June 2021 and move students into the building in August 2022.The classrooms will be built in the Family and Community Engagement Center on Osborne Street and near Ellsworth school.
Debate over hearing delays decision on Milford development proposal
Tom Ebersold
A proposed mixed-use development on the site of the former Smith Funeral Home has been tabled to give the Planning and Zoning Board time to review a plan for shared parking, to request a traffic study for the project area and to determine whether the board has the legal right to require a public hearing.
The board voted 9-1 at its July 20 meeting, in part, to get a legal opinion from the city attorney regarding whether it can require a public hearing for a project that only needs site plan approval. The board’s policy is to hold public hearings when a project requires a special permit.
“It is important that the community’s voice be heard,” said board member Robert Satti in making the motion to table and request a public hearing.
Metro 135 LLC with Robert H. Smith Jr. as a member has submitted plans to construct and renovate buildings at 125-135 Broad St. to create a mixed-use property. Since these plans only require site plan approval, no public
Gino Carrier of Carrier Construction explained that the former home at the 301 Main St. site was demolished May 13, and crews have been working since then on transforming the one acre parcel of land.
“The biggest building, the first building, should be completed by spring,” said Carrier. “It will have 20 units. Then the other building in the back should have the remaining 12 units. The apartments will range from 1,150 to 1,850 square feet. All of them will have two bedrooms. 20 of them will have two bathrooms and 12 will have one bathroom. There will also be four units which will be accessible for the mobility-impaired.”
Carrier noted that the complex will have four entrances, so it will “never feel like a hallway” and that there will be extra space for storage lockers on the lower level.
Diane and Donald Gregoire, the first tenants to sign up for the apartments, were on-site Wednesday for the groundbreaking.
“Once we found out about it and they told us their plan we decided to sell our house on Federal Hill,” said Diane Gregoire. “It’s close to downtown, within walking distance, and we like go for walks on Memorial Boulevard.”
Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu said that the apartments are “exactly the kind of housing we need” to attract more young people and families to Bristol.
“It is now incumbent upon us to give them a reason to come to downtown,” she said. “Back when Bristol was home to the industrialists people would always be seen walking downtown to work. It’s interesting to see the cycle of history as we strive toward having a vibrant neighborhood again.”
Cindy Bombard, president and CEO of the Central CT Chambers of Commerce, added that “luxury apartments” were “sorely needed” in Bristol.
“I’m always very happy to see projects and developments moving along to benefit the city of Bristol,” she said.
Councilor Greg Hahn, who was looking over the architectural plans with Carrier, said that it was great to see new apartments being built.
“As we’re adding more restaurants and businesses downtown it is all starting to come together,” he said.
Councilor Mary Fortier, who was looking at a rendering of the completed building with Councilor Scott Rosado, remarked that having the apartments will be “big” for Bristol.
“They are important for bringing more people to live downtown,” she said.
Rosado said that the apartments will be “fruitful” for the community.
“It’s great to see projects like this moving forward,” he said.
Stonington schedules community conversations on Campbell Grain site redevelopment
Joe Wojtas
Stonington — The Economic Development Commission has scheduled a virtual and in person “community conversation” on Wednesday, July 29, to discuss a plan to construct a $30 million mixed-income apartment building on the former Campbell Grain site.
The project is seen as crucial to the ongoing revitalization effort in downtown Pawcatuck.
The virtual presentation will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Links and call-in numbers can be found on the town website, stonington-ct.gov.
Anyone who wishes to submit questions in advance can send them to commission Chairman Dave Hammond at davehammond0203@gmail.com. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions online once the formal presentation concludes.
An in-person question and answer session will be held after the virtual presentation, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Pawcatuck Fire House truck bays with doors open. Masks must be worn at all times and social distancing practices must be adhered to.
The event is not a formal public hearing. That will be held later this year when the developer, WinnCompanies of Boston, plans to submit its application to the Planning and Zoning Commission for approval.
Anyone with questions or who needs special accommodation for the two community conversations can contact the Department of Planning at (860) 535-5095 or dop@stonington-ct.gov.
On Monday, officials from WinnCompanies of Boston outlined its plans to the Economic Development Commission.
Those plans call for a four-story building over a garage with open space along the Pawcatuck River. The building would include a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Rents will range from market rate such as $1,800 a month for a two-bedroom unit to lesser monthly rents for tenants earning 30%, 50% and 80% of the area household median income, which is $92,000 for a three-person household.
Winn’s attorney for the project, Bill Sweeney of New London, said this week the project would require the town to grant about a half-dozen variances and waivers of requirements such as those governing height, density and a project with all multifamily residential use. He also indicated Winn would be taking advantage of state affordable housing law that allows such projects to be built without meeting all zoning requirements.
Winn’s plan is to seek local zoning approval this summer and fall, in November apply for financing from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and Department of Housing, and begin construction in November 2021. The project would be complete in April of 2023.
New London mayor to announce development project
New London — Mayor Michael Passero and Felix Reyes, the director of the city’s Office of Economic Development and Planning, will hold a virtual news conference on Thursday to make an announcement and share information about “an important economic and community development project.”
The public press conference will be held via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. The gathering can be joined at https://zoom.us/j/98595617614?pwd=SWI4cEZyV2RraWIzWUFuTDVONDdoQT09, Meeting ID: 985 9561 7614, Passcode: 06320.
Passero and Reyes, and members of an advisory team, will be available to answer questions and provide information.
Berlin developer to build Cromwell industrial complex, new HQ
Joe Cooper
Berlin developer says it's secured all necessary approvals to move forward with the planned construction of an industrial and office complex on vacant land in Cromwell.
The town's planning and zoning commission recently granted site plan approval for JLN Contracting, led by owner Jack Neubieser and general manager Jay Stuart, to build two, 31,500-square-foot industrial buildings and an adjacent 4,200-square-foot office building at 70 Commerce Dr.
Neubieser and Stuart in an interview Tuesday said they plan to acquire the 8.2-acre property, which is currently owned by Henry Vasel, in the next year, or as soon as a tenant leases the incoming industrial facilities.
The office building will serve as JLN's new headquarters, Neubieser said. The company currently occupies office space in Berlin owned and shared by Colossale Construction Co. on Christian Lane.
“The biggest building, the first building, should be completed by spring,” said Carrier. “It will have 20 units. Then the other building in the back should have the remaining 12 units. The apartments will range from 1,150 to 1,850 square feet. All of them will have two bedrooms. 20 of them will have two bathrooms and 12 will have one bathroom. There will also be four units which will be accessible for the mobility-impaired.”
Carrier noted that the complex will have four entrances, so it will “never feel like a hallway” and that there will be extra space for storage lockers on the lower level.
Diane and Donald Gregoire, the first tenants to sign up for the apartments, were on-site Wednesday for the groundbreaking.
“Once we found out about it and they told us their plan we decided to sell our house on Federal Hill,” said Diane Gregoire. “It’s close to downtown, within walking distance, and we like go for walks on Memorial Boulevard.”
Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu said that the apartments are “exactly the kind of housing we need” to attract more young people and families to Bristol.
“It is now incumbent upon us to give them a reason to come to downtown,” she said. “Back when Bristol was home to the industrialists people would always be seen walking downtown to work. It’s interesting to see the cycle of history as we strive toward having a vibrant neighborhood again.”
Cindy Bombard, president and CEO of the Central CT Chambers of Commerce, added that “luxury apartments” were “sorely needed” in Bristol.
“I’m always very happy to see projects and developments moving along to benefit the city of Bristol,” she said.
Councilor Greg Hahn, who was looking over the architectural plans with Carrier, said that it was great to see new apartments being built.
“As we’re adding more restaurants and businesses downtown it is all starting to come together,” he said.
Councilor Mary Fortier, who was looking at a rendering of the completed building with Councilor Scott Rosado, remarked that having the apartments will be “big” for Bristol.
“They are important for bringing more people to live downtown,” she said.
Rosado said that the apartments will be “fruitful” for the community.
“It’s great to see projects like this moving forward,” he said.
Stonington schedules community conversations on Campbell Grain site redevelopment
Joe Wojtas
Stonington — The Economic Development Commission has scheduled a virtual and in person “community conversation” on Wednesday, July 29, to discuss a plan to construct a $30 million mixed-income apartment building on the former Campbell Grain site.
The project is seen as crucial to the ongoing revitalization effort in downtown Pawcatuck.
The virtual presentation will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Links and call-in numbers can be found on the town website, stonington-ct.gov.
Anyone who wishes to submit questions in advance can send them to commission Chairman Dave Hammond at davehammond0203@gmail.com. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions online once the formal presentation concludes.
An in-person question and answer session will be held after the virtual presentation, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Pawcatuck Fire House truck bays with doors open. Masks must be worn at all times and social distancing practices must be adhered to.
The event is not a formal public hearing. That will be held later this year when the developer, WinnCompanies of Boston, plans to submit its application to the Planning and Zoning Commission for approval.
Anyone with questions or who needs special accommodation for the two community conversations can contact the Department of Planning at (860) 535-5095 or dop@stonington-ct.gov.
On Monday, officials from WinnCompanies of Boston outlined its plans to the Economic Development Commission.
Those plans call for a four-story building over a garage with open space along the Pawcatuck River. The building would include a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Rents will range from market rate such as $1,800 a month for a two-bedroom unit to lesser monthly rents for tenants earning 30%, 50% and 80% of the area household median income, which is $92,000 for a three-person household.
Winn’s attorney for the project, Bill Sweeney of New London, said this week the project would require the town to grant about a half-dozen variances and waivers of requirements such as those governing height, density and a project with all multifamily residential use. He also indicated Winn would be taking advantage of state affordable housing law that allows such projects to be built without meeting all zoning requirements.
Winn’s plan is to seek local zoning approval this summer and fall, in November apply for financing from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and Department of Housing, and begin construction in November 2021. The project would be complete in April of 2023.
New London mayor to announce development project
New London — Mayor Michael Passero and Felix Reyes, the director of the city’s Office of Economic Development and Planning, will hold a virtual news conference on Thursday to make an announcement and share information about “an important economic and community development project.”
The public press conference will be held via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. The gathering can be joined at https://zoom.us/j/98595617614?pwd=SWI4cEZyV2RraWIzWUFuTDVONDdoQT09, Meeting ID: 985 9561 7614, Passcode: 06320.
Passero and Reyes, and members of an advisory team, will be available to answer questions and provide information.
Berlin developer to build Cromwell industrial complex, new HQ
Joe Cooper
Berlin developer says it's secured all necessary approvals to move forward with the planned construction of an industrial and office complex on vacant land in Cromwell.
The town's planning and zoning commission recently granted site plan approval for JLN Contracting, led by owner Jack Neubieser and general manager Jay Stuart, to build two, 31,500-square-foot industrial buildings and an adjacent 4,200-square-foot office building at 70 Commerce Dr.
Neubieser and Stuart in an interview Tuesday said they plan to acquire the 8.2-acre property, which is currently owned by Henry Vasel, in the next year, or as soon as a tenant leases the incoming industrial facilities.
The office building will serve as JLN's new headquarters, Neubieser said. The company currently occupies office space in Berlin owned and shared by Colossale Construction Co. on Christian Lane.
Univ. of St. Joseph to complete $16.2M athletic complex expansion by March
Sean Teehan
he University of St. Joseph is on track to complete a $16.2 million expansion of its O’Connell Athletic Center by March, after recently completing steel installation for the upgraded facility.
The project, which is being headed up by Hartford’s JCJ Architecture Inc., will more than double the size of the West Hartford university's sports complex to nearly 57,000 square feet, according to USJ.
Construction includes a full renovation of the existing facility in addition to the 31,000-square-foot addition.
When completed, the new facility will hold two basketball courts, a training room, strength and conditioning room, expanded laundry and equipment room, several new offices and the student health services center.