New Haven intersection will be first of its kind in CT. Here’s what that means.

The target date for the reconnection from Martin Luther King Boulevard to South Frontage Road is Sept. 9, if the weather cooperates, according to Anna Mariotti of HTNB Corp., the city’s consultant on the Downtown Crossing project. Most of the work is complete. “When the finishing work is done, those will be in operation and […]

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Torrington’s Pennrose apartment building project has begun on Franklin Street

The Philadelphia-based company, which owns the Franklin Street property, poured the foundation for the building in early August. Pennrose first presented its plans for a mixed-use, mixed-income development on the riverfront property in 2019, when it first was approved by the City Council. The aim of the project, according to Pennrose, is to help create […]

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Lamont says funding for Anna Reynolds Schools in Newington was ‘not a tough decision’ during tour

Deciding to fund the renovation of Anna Reynolds was “not a tough decision” Governor Ned Lamont told town officials during a visit to the elementary school on Reservoir Road Monday morning. The state is providing over $20 million toward the $35.5 million project, approved by nearly 70% of voters in a Nov. 2020 referendum. Anna […]

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Industry Awaits Its Trillion-Dollar Infrastructure Plan

The bipartisan infrastructure bill contains $550 billion in new spending. “The $1.2 trillion figure comes from funding normally allocated each year for highways and other infrastructure projects,” wrote John Probasco for Investopedia. “Following passage, the proposed legislation was sent to the House of Representatives where further adjustments are expected. Should the bill pass, the House […]

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Meriden Markham Airport closed for runway resurfacing

A $1.88 million project to replace Meriden Markham Airport’s aging runway and taxiway began earlier this week. That work will continue on the municipal airport until Oct. 21, according to a notice regarding the project. Constance Castillo, the airport’s manager, said the work, which is being completed by Tilcon Connecticut, Inc., began on-time — at […]

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Proposed $8.8 million Main Street project would be first to receive Norwich grant money

An $8.8 million redevelopment of two long-vacant Main Street buildings stands to become the first recipient of city grant and loan money through a revived economic development program if approved by the City Council. The project on Thursday received unanimous support from the Norwich Community Development Corp. board of directors for a $400,000 matching grant […]

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Affordable units may be part of downtown Shelton development

Developer John Guedes, a Shelton resident and owner of Primrose Companies, tweaked his plans for construction of a five-story structure, dubbed Riverview Park Royal, with 11,000 square feet of retail or commercial space and 92 apartments at property listed as 113-123 Canal St. The modified plans, presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday in […]

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On the Move: Work on Arrigoni, East Haddam swing bridges will have impact

The rehabilitation of Arrigoni Bridge approach spans and operational improvements at St. John’s Square / Main Street intersection in Middletown and Portland are moving right along and expected to wrap up in the early part of 2022. After the project on the Arrigoni wraps up, our attention will turn toward the East Haddam Swing Bridge […]

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2 CT power plants part of $1.9 billion deal with N.J.-based company

Power plants in New Haven and Bridgeport are likely to be sold, as two subsidiaries of a Boston-based company have signed a $1.92 billion agreement to purchase New Jersey-based Public Service Enterprise Group’s 6,750-megawatt fossil fuel generation portfolio. The deal with ArcLight Energy Partners’ subsidiaries is expected to close by the end of this year […]

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New highway traffic cams online on as state finishes $24M project

Twenty-nine new highway traffic surveillance cameras covering state highways in the Meriden area are coming online at a traffic website this week as part of the completion of a $24 million installation program. The new network additions allow motorists to monitor congestion, road conditions, construction and maintenance, lane closures and accidents around the clock, in […]

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10 ways the PRO Act could change the game for employers and organized labor

Currently being considered in the Senate, the bill would strengthen the ability of unions to form and collectively bargain. The bill, which passed the House in March, would amend the National Labor Relations Act — as well as parts of the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 and the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act — […]

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Three new buildings proposed on Shelton’s Bridgeport Ave.

Owners of a Bridgeport Avenue property – already home to a building leased by PerkinElmer and Gary Plastic Packaging Corp. – have plans to construct three other buildings on the site. The company AA Shelton LLC is seeking a Planned Development District approval for 710 Bridgeport Ave., with the goal of constructing three separate buildings. […]

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‘Words don’t do it justice’: $87M Middletown middle school nears completion

New furniture and technology will be in place by the Sept. 9 opening of the fall semester. The new school is predicted to be more energy efficient by some 28.5 percent compared with other similar sized buildings, TSKP architect Michael Scott has said. Work includes installation of rooftop photovoltaics, with 14 areas that could generate […]

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$50 million renovation project officially breaks ground at Chamberlain Elementary School

New Britain benefited from a state package last fall that ensures funding reimbursement of 95% for this project, through the state’s school construction grant program. “It’s an 18-month project with completion expected in December 2022,” Newfield Senior Project Manager Matt Glaser said. The building’s footprint will increase by about 17,000 sq. ft. to an estimated […]

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CT upping stake in fuel cell industry with new energy-purchase mandate

Somewhat less publicized has been the steady march of fuel cell technology, an electrochemical energy source that promises the reliability of conventional fuels alongside the minimal environmental impact of renewables. Once beset by prohibitively high costs, improving technology and rising production levels are making fuel cells more competitive than ever before.And the industry has found […]

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Waterbury spends $523,000 for study of needed school construction and upgrades

The Board of Aldermen approved a contract with the SLAM Collaborative on July 19. The contract gives the Glastonbury-based firm a little more than eight months to deliver. Waterbury public schools could use a portion of $131.2 million in pending COVID-relief and economic recovery funds to further building plans. Superintendent Verna Ruffin said district officials […]

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CT Supreme Court to hear land use lawsuits against Stamford’s Board of Representatives

Board of Representatives Attorney Patricia Sullivan of Cohen & Wolf said that the cases, one involving a potential Life Time Fitness gym and the other about a parcel in the South End, will skip the appellate courts. Instead, Connecticut’s top legal authority opted to hear arguments during its next session, which starts Sept. 7 and […]

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Developer plans retail-and-hotel project across from Clinton Crossing outlets

The developer behind a mixed-use, retail and hotel project across from Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets said Monday that he hopes to complete the first phase of the development around the end of the year. Ken Navarro, a partner at Greylock Property Group, said construction of the firm’s Indian River Shops at Clinton project has continued […]

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Senators say trillion-dollar infrastructure bill will be ‘transformative’

During a morning virtual news conference from Washington, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy said that once President Biden’s infrastructure legislation is passed in the Senate and House of Representatives, an even larger follow-up will be pursued by congressional Democrats under so-called budgetary reconciliation rules. “Our goal is to finish this bipartisan proposal by […]

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Plans to overhaul Mixmaster underway

The project would improve the safety of the highway junction, which is prone to crashes, and upgrade the design to meet modern construction standards. In 2018, the DOT began a rehabilitation of the Mixmaster, including full deck replacement of Route 8 in both directions, along with repairs to the decks of I-84, and steel repairs. […]

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Hartford could get $900,000 for riverfront park work from federal appropriations bill

In a statement released Monday, U.S. Rep. John B. Larson, D-Conn., said his request to steer $900,000 to the City of Hartford to support the park’s development has been included in a House transportation, housing and economic development appropriations bill. “I have long been an advocate of efforts to recapture the riverfront and reconnect the […]

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Bristol Board of Finance discuss ongoing development of downtown

The board approved a motion for an appropriation of $4.6 million to be utilized for capital improvements in the Centre Square redevelopment project, money coming from a recent state funding transfer. Economic and Community Development Director Justin Malley said that this is “the culmination of boards and administration over the years and supporting the (Bristol […]

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Here’s how the bipartisan infrastructure deal would invest $280 billion in transportation

Transit spending, which proved to be one of the final obstacles to sealing a deal, was negotiated down $10 billion from the figure announced in a framework for the package that was unveiled in June. But in terms of overall spending, other transportation provisions appear to have emerged from five weeks of dealmaking mostly unscathed. […]

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Deal is a game-changer for Tweed, and a boon for New Haven, East Haven, officials say

In May, Tweed New Haven Airport announced plans to expand to allow for flights to more destinations, which would grow the economy of southern Connecticut. Finally, there is a plan for Tweed-New Haven Airport that makes sense for our economy, for our taxpayers and for working families. It’s critically important that we seize this moment […]

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Construction-related conferences for 2021 and beyond

Whether virtual or in-person, these events provide access to hands-on demonstrations, educational sessions, networking opportunities and products and services promoted by exhibitors. As 2021 passes the halfway mark, here is a list of the rest of the year’s construction industry events and a look forward at those scheduled for 2022: https://www.constructiondive.com/news/construction-industry-conferences/603494/

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ABC announces new campaign to fight PLA legislation

Proponents of PLAs, such as the AFL-CIO trade union, argue that PLAs protect taxpayers by eliminating costly delays due to labor conflicts or shortages of skilled workers, because unions can quickly supply the labor needed. The group also claims that PLAs help improve the terms and conditions of employment for all craft workers — union […]

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10 years in the making, New Haven’s Q House ‘finally coming to fruition’, officials say

The long-awaited Dixwell Community Q House will open its doors in September, offering city youths and others a multitude of activities and opportunities to learn. While it will serve everyone from “7 to 107 and all in between,” the Q House especially will keep young people occupied rather than potentially getting into trouble, according to […]

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State expected to approve another $1.7 million to demolish New London high-rises

It brings the state’s contribution to $3.7 million, enough to cover the entire cost of the removal of hazardous material, demolition and cleanup of the 12-acre property on Crystal Avenue. The city has already chosen a contractor for the project, Stamford Wrecking Co., which started work earlier this month. The demolition is expected to begin […]

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Bristol receives nearly $5 million for City Hall parking structure, downtown development

Governor Ned Lamont has provided funding to Bristol in the form of $4,692,000 to be utilized for a parking structure for City Hall and further downtown development, along with an additional $1,200,000 to be utilized to reconstruct a retaining wall in Memorial Boulevard Park.The city is looking to build a parking structure with 132 spaces […]

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Park City Wind opening Bridgeport headquarters

Gov. Ned Lamont is expected to make an appearance in downtown Bridgeport this afternoon to mark the official opening of the headquarters of Park City Wind, an offshore wind energy project planners say will channel 804 megawatts of renewable power to Connecticut residents. The central office, situated at 350 Fairfield Ave., will serve as the […]

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Planners examine how another bridge in Farmington would reduce Route 4 traffic back-ups

The Capitol Region Council of Governments previously did some preliminary traffic modeling and concluded a bridge could benefit motorists on Route 4, one of the busiest east-west thoroughfares in the Farmington Valley. “The results show significant decreased traffic volume in Unionville center, minor decreased traffic volume in Farmington center, and significant increases in traffic on […]

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Other Voices: New prevailing wage legislation a win for solar industry workers

Gov. Ned Lamont recently signed into law the nation’s strongest labor standards for renewable energy projects, paving the way for our state to swiftly and equitably transition to a green economy powered by good union jobs. The bill, SB 999, will ensure that Connecticut’s efforts to combat climate change will create jobs that pay family-sustaining […]

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New Britain’s streets plan improves streetscapes, addresses pedestrian, bicycle access

Transportation is a key to economic development and recovery, said Mayor Erin Stewart, who provided an update on details about the project during a press conference Monday afternoon at Beehive Bridge Pocket Park. Public Works Director Mark Moriarty said reconfiguring roads to accommodate bicycles without creating traffic jams proved to be some of the challenging […]

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DEEP announces former United Nuclear Corporation site in New Haven has been remediated

“Environmental cleanup was conducted at the time the facility closed, however the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reviewed the cleanup in recent years and determined that additional cleanup was needed. Final remediation work at the site began in October 2019 and concluded in late 2020,” officials said. “This project represents what we’re all about at […]

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Route 4 in Farmington will be shut down for over a month, requiring detours. Here’s what you need to know

Starting July 12, the quickest daytime route between Farmington center and Unionville will be via Avon. A water line reconstruction project will close Route 4, the town’s busiest thoroughfare and the main connector for towns to the west heading to the highway. Regular traffic patterns should return in September. Access to town hall, the library, […]

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Developer targets New Haven’s Wooster Square for 186 new apartments, ‘expensive design’ greenway

Popular Wooster Square is attracting more growth, which in turn is causing tensions with some alders and residents as the latest plan starts to unfold. This time, Epimoni wants to build an additional 186 units that would be located on Olive Street and feature a public plaza greenway along a reclaimed Fair Street that the […]

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The Dotted Line: Beefing up Davis-Bacon compliance

Prevailing wage advocates like the Economic Policy Institute, however, argue that without a rate floor, some contractors will cut wages in order to win projects rather than compete by finding other efficiencies. Despite the controversy, there are no signs that Davis-Bacon regulations are going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, the new Secretary of Labor, Marty […]

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Park City Wind project advances at federal level

Avangrid Renewables officials said Wednesday the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has notified the company of its intent to go ahead with an environmental impact study for Park City Wind, an 800-megawatt, offshore wind project being developed by the company and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. The study is a significant component of what is the […]

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Bristol gets a $2 million state grant to remediate J.H. Sessions building

The funding comes from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD)’s Brownfield Remediation Program. It is part of 19 million in state grants to assist with assessment and remediation costs for 31 blighted properties in 23 towns statewide. Department of Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno said that since Gov. Lamont designated construction workers as […]

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Wind power and renewable energy are big growth opportunities for CT

Gov. Ned Lamont seeks to attain 100% zero-carbon power by 2040. He’s proposed a $200 million “Greentech Fund” to jump-start a boom in areas like battery technology and recycling, which could create 2,000 jobs. Pivotal to these efforts are the state’s offshore wind projects, Revolution Wind and Park City Wind, representing 1.2 gigawatts in currently […]

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Roads, bridges, jobs: Biden selling big infrastructure deal

Biden traveled to La Crosse, Wisconsin, population 52,000, and toured its public transit center, highlighting projects — including hybrid buses and road repair equipment — that would receive additional funding from the infrastructure bill. He argued that the package, which is held together in large part by the promise of millions of new jobs, is […]

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Lamont: Getting from New Haven to New York on Metro-North will be 10 minutes quicker by next year

The governor announced an ambitious plan at the Stratford Metro-North station Monday to improve the state’s rail service that he said would slash travel times, create thousands of jobs, and help the environment by getting cars off roads. The plan — called “Time For CT” — assumes most of the $8 billion to $10 billion […]

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Paid in full? Biden, GOP struggle over infrastructure costs

It’s a long-standing challenge with no easy solution, one that puts the bipartisan agreement around infrastructure in tension with the nettlesome realities of governing. It’s a problem that has thwarted previous attempts at an infrastructure bill, including during the Trump administration, and their ability to solve it now is likely to determine whether a bipartisan […]

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Prominent downtown Hartford corner to get upgrades, inviting people to stop, not just cross through, as part of larger $24M renovation

The owners of the 100 Pearl St. office tower and the building’s signature tenant, Hartford HealthCare, are partnering on the upgrades that will include the installation of a glass “cube” patterned after Apple’s on Fifth Avenue in New York, intended to signal Hartford HealthCare’s commitment to innovation. The improvements are part of a larger, up […]

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West Haven looks to ‘enhance the education experience’ with new Washington School

“In the past 112 years, Washington School should have been rebuilt three times,” said Ken Carney, chairman of the city’s Building Oversight Committee. Carney on Monday provided a concept plan for a new Washington Elementary School, to be built on the same site as the current school at 369 Washington Ave. The project, which officials […]

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Designs revealed for Norwalk’s new Cranbury Elementary School

Plans for the new school were presented last week to the Norwalk Planning Commission, which unanimously voted to approve the $45 million construction project. The new school will replace the existing facility, which was originally built in 1959. For years, parents have complained that parts of the 62-year-old building have fallen into disrepair and that […]

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‘Adamant’ on passing infrastructure bill, Courtney gets committee approval for six earmarks

Earlier in the day, he had advocated for federal investment in infrastructure and praised President Joe Biden’s budget proposal for its funding of submarine construction, during a virtual business breakfast held by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. During that event, he noted that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was marking up the […]

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Transit funding a flashpoint in surface transportation debate

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act expires on Sept. 30, having received a one-year extension to its authorization last year. With that deadline fast approaching, Democrats, Republicans and lobbyists are positioning for a fight over its future and the future of the nation’s transportation funding model. House Democrats last Friday introduced the Investing in […]

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Shelbourne joint venture commits $30M to Hartford hotel conversion

A joint venture of Shelbourne and Axela Group closed late last week on the 50 Morgan St. hotel, according to Yitz Rabinowitz, vice president at Axela, which is a significant off-campus housing developer and landlord around UConn in Storrs and also develops single-family homes, storage facilities and other properties. The property is in the midst […]

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CT Senate gives final approval to $46.4 billion state budget

The Democrat-controlled chamber voted 31-4 to approve the package, which makes major new investments in municipal aid, education and human services, avoids major tax hikes, and delivers tax relief to working poor families. The House approved the package 116-31 shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday. In both chambers, a significant number of Republicans joined with the […]

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Mixed-use apartment building proposed after $10.5M purchase of Farmington Marriott

CLP Farmington LLC bought the three-story building for $10.5 million, with the intention of converting it into 224 units of market rate studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury apartments, said Jason Schlesinger, a principal at developer CLP Farmington LLC. Under current plans, units would be mostly studio and one-bedrooms, and would include stainless steel kitchen […]

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Offshore wind farm gets approval from coastal regulators

The vote Wednesday by the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council in favor of the South Fork Wind Farm moves the project one step closer to reality. Business groups and construction unions back the project.“Offshore wind is our future,” said Michael Sabitoni, president of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council. “We’ve embraced the […]

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House Dems unveil $547B infrastructure bill amid Biden talks

The proposal from Rep. Peter DeFazio, the Democratic chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, comes during a key moment of the infrastructure debate as the White House signals its desire to start wrapping up negotiations. The legislation’s unveiling Friday comes as Biden prepares to hold another round of talks with the lead Senate […]

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Canterbury School in New Milford starts new field project

The multi-purpose facility will feature a state-of-the-art, all-weather, all-season synthetic playing field lined for football and lacrosse; bleacher seating for 340 spectators; coaching boxes; and a six/eight-lane track. Stadium lighting will allow multiple sports to compete on the turf for night games and afford more hours for practice and off-season conditioning. The facility will be […]

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Despite hot housing market, Greater Hartford apartment boom rolls on

Major newly constructed or proposed apartment projects have been springing up across the region in recent months, whether it’s in the suburbs of Farmington and Bloomfield or the cities of Hartford and New Britain, a sign that developers still have significant appetites for new market-rate and highly-amenitized rental units. According to CoStar, 2020 saw the […]

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Glastonbury approves Amazon logistics ‘delivery station’ at former Glastonbury factory

The town’s plan and zoning commission on Tuesday approved Amazon’s plan to open a delivery station in the former Nabisco warehouse at 107 Eastern Blvd., a town official confirmed Wednesday morning. Amazon will reconfigure the 104,000-square-foot building and expand the parking lot. Winstanley Enterprises acquired the 12.5 acre property in Sept. 2020 for $4.4 million, […]

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The XL Center is far too valuable to become a parking lot

“COVID threw us all off the balance beam this past year,” Mike Freimuth, the executive director of the Capital Region Development Authority, said last week. “In fact, the XL’s absence over this last year has certainly been felt in downtown energy, hotel, restaurant and bar trade and made clearer the real adverse impact of losing […]

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New Haven company working on cancer treatments signs lease for 101 College Street

Officials with Arvinas announced Tuesday the company has signed a 10 year-lease for three of the 10 floors in the building, or about one-third of the space in the 500,000-square foot-building. Massachusetts-based Winstanley Enterprises is developing the multi-tenant project, with construction scheduled to get underway by the end of June, according to company officials. Arvinas […]

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Developers accelerate revival of Bristol’s Centre Square with plans for offices, apartments, retail

This week, the city’s downtown committee discussed a proposal for a 30,000-square-foot office building to be constructed at the corner of Hope and Riverside streets on a currently vacant parcel. When approved, the plan next goes to the economic and community development committee with plans for a letter of intent to be signed by the […]

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New Britain’s Energy and Innovation Park project coming back to life after pandemic took big toll on progress

As the state begins to return to a semblance of normalcy, New Britain’s Energy and Innovation Park project at the former Stanley Black & Decker site will also be coming back to life. The estimated $1 billion energy and data center project began construction late 2019. But when the pandemic happened, the project took a […]

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Will flood mitigation project delay new Bassick High School in Bridgeport?

City officials insist ground will be broken this year in the South End on a new Bassick High School, despite advice from one state agency to hold off until the completion of a massive flood mitigation project in that same neighborhood. Resilient Bridgeport is a $52 million, federally-funded, state-implemented effort to fortify the South End […]

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City’s School Building Committee gains approval to have authority to enter into contracts

In a 9-6 vote, the council approved Wednesday to allow the SBC to hold meetings that are earlier than 6 p.m., an exemption that is also given to the commissions on aging, persons with disabilities, youth services and board of assessment appeals. The SBC is a non-paid seven-member organization appointed by the city, according to […]

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An improved and expanded passenger rail line could add thousands of jobs to Hartford and Springfield, but it might cost $9 billion

It’s back to the future for regional planners promoting a rail line that would revive the Inland Route linking New York and Boston by way of Hartford, Springfield and Worcester. The cost is estimated at between $6.4 billion and $9.4 billion over a 10-year construction period, according to a study commissioned by the Capitol Region […]

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Winds of change

Roughly 10 big commercial wind projects — some languishing in the pipeline for years — are beginning to catch a tangible updraft. Once turning, colossal turbines rising off southern New England’s coast will bring enough power ashore to light millions of homes. In Connecticut, a major overhaul of State Pier in New London is expected […]

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Waterbury receives funding for Brownfield cleanups

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments has granted the city of Waterbury $486,000 to help ongoing cleanups of polluted industrial properties. Thomas Hyde, interim director of the Waterbury Development Corp., anticipates the money from the council will be more easily accessible than some of the larger state grants. This will help the city pay for […]

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After seven years, foreclosure set for Beaton & Corbin site; here’s what will take its place

After seven years, the foreclosure of the Beaton & Corbin site is taking place this week, clearing the way for the land to be remediated and developed by Lovley Development, Inc. into a 13,000 square foot strip mall. Southington Economic Development Director Lou Perillo said the town has been working to get the property sold […]

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Republicans attack Lamont climate-change and truck-tax proposals

On a downtown street corner a block from the State Capitol complex, House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora and Senate Minority Leader Kevin Kelly charged that Lamont’s participation in the regional Transportation and Climate Initiative would steadily raise gasoline taxes on working families while providing subsidies for wealthier residents to buy electric cars. Kelly, who represents […]

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UConn Board of Trustees approves $70 million on-campus hockey arena with completion projected for fall 2022

The budget was $25 million more than the facility’s initial $45 million expected cost and $22 million more than anticipated in September. A total of $52.8 million has been allocated for construction. There will additionally be a $7 million set of improvements to the I-Lot parking site to relocate 360 parking spots and accommodate the […]

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Construction boom means New Milford building department is ‘busiest they’ve been in over a decade’

Mayor Pete Bass reported land use and building department officials had informed him they’ve been incredibly busy of late. The town’s building official, Bill Murphy, has been meeting with the mayor every week to update him on permitting and inspections throughout New Milford. This March, the building department issued more than 70 permits, mostly dealing […]

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The Exxon of Green Power: A Spanish Company and Its Boss Set Sky-High Goals

In the winter of 2015, three directors of a Connecticut electric company met with a potential acquirer: a determined Spanish utility executive named José Ignacio Sánchez Galán, who surprised them with a bold vision for America’s utility industry. And it looks well positioned to take advantage of what is likely to be a clean energy […]

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Eversource and United Illuminating face financial penalties for failures in response to Tropical Storm Isaias. PURA orders electric companies to improve storm preparation

The state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority issued a scathing final decision following an eight-month investigation of the utilities’ preparation before the storm and response following it. Regulators rebuked Eversource for numerous failures, with “inactions or deficiencies” creating a significant risk to public safety. Regulators said they’re prepared in a future proceeding to impose an indefinite […]

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Three projects totaling $6.2M added to Winsted’s referendum

The second question on the referendum ballot will ask residents whether they support the Water and Sewer Commission borrowing $6.2 million from the state for three infrastructure projects. The commission would pay back the loan via user fees, not taxes. The loan would come from the state Department of Public Health’s Drinking Water State Revolving […]

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Riverfront Recapture buys 60-acre Hartford-Windsor parcel, plans community park

Riverfront Recapture, the nonprofit organization that manages riverside parks in Hartford and East Hartford, has purchased 60 acres of riverfront land on the Hartford-Windsor town line and plans to build a new community park there. In a statement, Riverfront Recapture officials said the property will be redeveloped for recreation, with new trails, open green spaces, […]

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Hamden deal includes construction jobs for residents and tax break for developer

A vacant plot near Lake Whitney soon could be home to an apartment building with retail space in a deal that gives the developer a tax break while also setting workforce requirements aimed to promote diversity and ensure Hamden residents get construction jobs. A $5.3 million investment, it would offer 30 upper-level apartments and four […]

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Will Biden fund a high speed train from Boston to NYC? Northeast lawmakers are lobbying

“We’re going to fight for it,” said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “We’re going to be fighting first for the American Jobs Plan and second for the investment in the Northeast that is necessary for high speed rail.” DeLauro, D-3, said her staff was actively working with groups that advocate for more rail investment for […]

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Maine contractors fear labor agreement will shut them out of offshore wind work

Maine’s largest construction contractors say they fear being shut out of work in the state’s nascent offshore wind industry because of a pending labor agreement between the lead project developer and trade unions. That arrangement, called a project labor agreement, would set terms and conditions for employing workers from trade unions on the project. But […]

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CT finance panel approves restaurant bailout, new taxes on wealthy and digital ads

The Democrat-controlled panel also endorsed a revenue package that includes a new highway use tax on large, commercial trucks and new state and municipal sales taxes on recreational marijuana. Gov. Ned Lamont, who is more fiscally conservative than many of his fellow Democrats in the legislature, wasted little time Thursday in saying he would not […]

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Work on state-of-the-art Middletown pool complex, including splash pad, to begin in fall

The $2 million project to completely redo Veterans Memorial Pool into a beautifully landscaped complex including a splash pad, upgraded bathhouse and parking areas will get underway after the summer season ends. Funding will come from the $33.5 million parks bond voters passed in 2015, and in-house services will save a great deal of money, […]

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Gov. Ned Lamont wants to put $103 million in federal funds into workforce training. Here’s how that would work.

Gov. Ned Lamont wants to invest $103 million the state is receiving from the American Rescue Plan Act to retrain workers who have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19. The demand for retraining of workers isn’t being driven solely by the rapid advancement of technology across all business, according to Jeff Flaks, president […]

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Quietly, Dunkin’ Donuts Park construction lawsuit moves to state Supreme Court

The long-running legal saga pitting the city of Hartford against Centerplan Construction Co., the original developer of Dunkin’ Donuts Park, will enter a new chapter Monday when the case goes before the state Supreme Court. The city hired Middletown-based Centerplan and DoNo Hartford LLC — both controlled by developer Robert Landino — in early 2015 […]

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Legislature presents its own budget plan, and the stage is set for debate

The legislature’s Appropriations Committee approved a $46 billion, two-year state budget Wednesday evening that, at first glance, largely matches the spending level endorsed by Gov. Ned Lamont in February. But the package, which makes major new investments in higher education, social services and municipal aid, also taps about $240 million from this year’s projected surplus […]

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Buttigieg casts proposed transportation budget as down payment on infrastructure

Buttigieg cast the spending as a down payment toward the $2.25 trillion infrastructure package President Biden has outlined, calling the budget “a beginning on investments that we know we’ll need to make on a larger order to really meet the moment.” The White House is also proposing a $3.2 billion increase in the Transportation Department’s […]

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Lawmakers lobby to bring home big bucks as Congress wrangles over $2 trillion infrastructure plan

The jockeying began earlier this month, after Biden announced a roughly $2 trillion blueprint to upgrade the nation’s roads, bridges, waterways and ports. Days later, he followed his infrastructure plan with a $1.5 trillion budget for fiscal 2022 that included the biggest increases in domestic spending in more than a decade. Together, the proposed investments […]

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Waterbury aldermen approve contract for largest paving project in 40 years

An $8.4 million contract with Tilcon, a statewide asphalt contractor, will allow about 25 miles worth of city roads to be milled and repaved, improving major roadways, City Finance Director Michael LeBlanc told aldermen during a regular meeting. The project should begin next month, city Purchasing Director Kevin McCaffery said. Any work not done this […]

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Bronin wants $47M in federal stimulus aid to fund Hartford’s economic development efforts

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said Monday that he will seek to spend about 40% of the estimated $117 million the Capital City could receive from the recently passed American Rescue Plan to fund economic and community development efforts. The largest single share, amounting to $47.3 million, would go toward stimulating economic development and growth in […]

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Lamont unveils bipartisan deal to pay off huge unemployment trust debt

Gov. Ned Lamont unveiled a plan Tuesday that would preserve Connecticut’s debt-riddled unemployment trust fund by curbing benefits for workers and asking more from the business community as a whole. Connecticut, like nearly all states, has run up hundreds of millions of dollars in debt to maintain unemployment benefits since the pandemic began in early […]

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Most contractors won’t pay more taxes under Biden’s infrastructure plan: CPA

Most contractors won’t pay more in taxes under President Joe Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal, while the infusion of cash to fund more public construction projects would provide a significant upside for their businesses, according to a certified public accountant who leads Ernst & Young’s global construction and engineering practice. According to the U.S. Census […]

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Big dollars hang in the balance as CT finance panel rushes to finish work

The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee must by Thursday decide the fate of proposed tax hikes on digital media ads and health insurance carriers, along with a statewide property tax aimed at high-value homes. Lamont’s budget office warned back in February that state finances, unless adjusted, were on pace to run $2.6 billion in the […]

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Bond Commission clears millions for Hartford-area projects

The State Bond Commission on Friday approved tens of millions of dollars worth of grants and loans for redevelopment projects in Greater Hartford, including office-to-apartment renovations in the Capital City and the planned demolition of the former Ames department store headquarters in Rocky Hill. The 10-member commission voted to authorize two loans totaling $13.5 million […]

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