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Housing options at UConn increase as school, developers try to keep pace with escalating enrollment
The rise in both on- and-off-campus developments in Storrs in recent years mirrors UConn’s larger enrollment growth efforts, and the number of projects underway suggest surges in both enrollment and the university’s growing housing footprint around its main and regional campuses are not slowing down. Amidst record-high enrollment, the university is currently housing a record number of almost 13,400 students in Storrs, with housing at full capacity, said UConn spokesperson Stephanie Reitz. At the same time, new off-campus options have opened up, with a massive student housing development in the works that would add more than 1,000 beds for Storrs students. The Georgia-based development firm Landmark Properties bought the site in the spring, with plans to begin construction in late 2025, according to a news release.
Dozens of CT waterways identified as ‘impaired waters’ in new report
A 40-page list of impaired waterways in Connecticut that the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection included in a report to Congress has spurred DEEP’s estimate of nearly $5 billion in wastewater infrastructure needs over the next 20 years. In general, water quality in most streams, rivers and lakes in Connecticut is sufficient to support fish and other aquatic life communities. DEEP’s estimate of $250 million a year in wastewater infrastructure needs over the next two decades was included a report that states are required to submit to Congress every two years under the federal Clean Water Act regarding the overall quality of waters in their state. DEEP reports that demand for construction funding though the state’s Clean Water Fund has never been higher since its establishment in 1987. The Clean Water Fund provides a combination of grants and loans to municipalities for wastewater infrastructure projects undertaken at the direction of DEEP. It is financed through a combination of federal funding and state bonding. The Clean Water Fund had made commitments totaling nearly $4.6 billion in grant and loan assistance through the 2024 fiscal year, according to the latest annual report by the state treasurer’s office.
I-691, I-91 and Rt. 15 interchange work irks Meriden residents: ‘The whole house feels it’
State officials said the construction on interstates 91 and 691, and Route 15 (Wilbur Cross Parkway) interchange in Meriden will address the high number of motor vehicle incidents that have resulted in more than 2,200 crashes over that past 11 years. Between Oct. 2, 2023 — after construction began — and Aug. 1, there were 1,419 crashes, nearly 300 of which resulted in injuries, and two fatalities as drivers made their way through the active work zone, according to data provided by Connecticut Department of Transportation spokesperson Eva Zymaris. The goal of the state project, estimated to be complete by 2030, is to make the interchange safer for drivers. Once done, crews will have replaced and rehabilitated several bridges in the corridor and improved traffic flow across multiple travel lanes, Zymaris said.
https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/meriden-ct-highway-construction-route-15-i-91-21051495.php
Your questions answered about Costco’s proposed Plainfield/Canterbury site
The depot facility would be built in Canterbury. Once that is complete, Katz said the company is planning build another 1.1 million square-foot building on the Plainfield property. Katz said when and whether that happens depends upon the company’s growth. Costco representatives anticipate that the depot facility will process an average of 600 trucks per day. Marchisano said deliveries and shipments start at 5 a.m. and end at 4 p.m., and occur Monday through Saturday. During the meeting, residents from both towns raised concerns about potential impacts on the environment, property values, traffic safety and road conditions along with creating light and sound pollution and straining emergency services like fire and emergency medical services. During the construction phase, Marchisano said, Costco’s contractors typically hire local subcontractors. Katz and Marchisano said Costco is still in the early planning stages and has not established a timeline for construction and operation.
Developer proposes technology center on former Pawcatuck cinema site
The Architectural Review Board on Monday unanimously approved the design of an 80,000-square-foot technology center on Route 2 in Pawcatuck that members referred to as “groundbreaking” and “innovative.” READCO of Old Lyme proposes to construct the Stonington Technology Center, a four-story building with office, conference, research and development space on the former Hoyt’s/Regal Cinema property. Meanwhile Stonington Village, a 232-unit residential, retail, professional and medical office space, is being developed on the same property. Both projects are part of a Neighborhood Design District, a floating zone that requires a master plan for the site and provides the commission with a great deal of discretion about various aspects of the project. The technology center is part of a Master Plan amendment for the district and must be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
https://theday.com/news/789383/developer-proposes-technology-center-on-former-pawcatuck-cinema-site/
AG Seeks Court Order to Restart Wind Project as Federal Talks Stall
“Revolution Wind shows us there’s no amount of hiding and pacifying and lying down and just being quiet that’s going to help us,” Tong said, referring to President Donald Trump’s administration. “They know we’re here. They’re coming for our project. They’re coming for our jobs. We just have to stand up and fight.” The attorney general said he expected the injunction to have an “immediate” effect while they pursue a broader lawsuit challenging the stop-work order issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on Aug. 22. That order brought construction to a halt when Revolution Wind was 80% complete, citing unspecified “national security” concerns. Tong called the decision “unlawful,” arguing it reopened issues already resolved during the project’s nine-year permitting process. The U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees the bureau, declined to comment on the litigation.
Costco distribution facility proposed for Plainfield/Canterbury: What we know
Costco Wholesale Corporation proposed building a distribution facility on the Plainfield/Canterbury town line at a presentation to the public in the Plainfield High School auditorium Sept. 17. The site would be located on approximately 443 acres and the proposed location is in both Plainfield and Canterbury. Two buildings are currently being proposed on the site: a depot/cross dock facility and a second building for potential future uses. The depot/cross dock facility will house an office area, storage as well as items that will be delivered to Costco stores. Mark Marchisano, director of development for Costco, said the company chose the Plainfield/Canterbury town line for its new facility because of the close proximity to I-395.
CT, RI seek court order resuming work on Revolution Wind
Attorney General William Tong told an appreciative audience of construction union leaders Wednesday that Connecticut and Rhode Island were seeking a court order allowing resumption of work on the off-shore Revolution Wind project abruptly halted last month by the Trump administration. “I will make news right now. We are moving, as we speak, for a preliminary injunction to overturn the stop-work order right now,” Tong told the Connecticut Building Trades Council convention at the Mohegan Sun casino, prompting applause. The Trump administration issued the unprecedented order to stop work on a fully permitted, multibillion-dollar project that was initiated during Donald Trump’s first presidency and was 80% complete, promising the delivery of enough power next year to light 350,000 homes in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Lamont addressed the convention earlier Wednesday, complaining that the Trump administration was no closer to explaining in detail why it halted the project, other than vague claims of national security — or what it would take to lift the stop-work order, issued a week before Labor Day.
https://hartfordbusiness.com/article/ct-ri-seek-court-order-resuming-work-on-revolution-wind/
Hotel eyed for former farm site in Simsbury
A long-vacant farm parcel in Simsbury could soon become home to a new hotel, as a developer seeks approval to begin the first phase of a larger mixed-use project along Hopmeadow Street. Project plans were submitted to the town’s Conservation Commission and Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency, which are scheduled to discuss the application during a meeting Tuesday night. W. Development Co. LLC, led by Adam Westhaver, is the developer. According to the application, W. Development is under contract to purchase the property from River Bend Development CT. The hotel would be positioned on 7.5 acres in the northwest corner of property, with access from Dorset Crossing. Engineers say the project would not directly impact wetlands tied to nearby Saxton Brook, though some grading would occur within a 100-foot buffer zone.
https://hartfordbusiness.com/article/hotel-eyed-for-former-farm-site-in-simsbury/
Future of Naugatuck River Greenway Trail uncertain after $5.7M federal grant is canceled
The future of the Naugatuck River Greenway Trail is in jeopardy following the sudden cancellation of a $5.725 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. According to a notice sent by Maria Lefevre, executive director for the Office of the Under Secretary of Transportation, the funding was canceled due to the project no longer aligning with the priorities of the USDOT, making it fall outside the purview of the grant. Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments Executive Director, Rick Dunne, said he disagreed with the DOT’s assessment that vehicular travel would better work to improve the quality of life for the average citizen. According to NVCOG, the purpose of the project was to advance an interconnected network of trails that linked downtown centers of neighboring communities that provided a transportation and recreational asset in the Naugatuck Valley – extending from Torrington to Derby.
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