Farmington is on the cusp of another development wave

The affluent, suburban enclave seven miles west of downtown Hartford has about 25,000 souls who lay heads there at night, but its daytime population swells to 32,000 — the result of commuters who arrive daily to work at UConn Health, Jackson Laboratory, Carrier, Otis Elevator and Stanley Black & Decker. Farmington’s fiscal 2018 property tax […]

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Some lawmakers still pushing for tolls as session winds down

Democratic House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz said he hopes the House of Representatives will vote this week on a bill that would require the Department of Transportation to come up with a plan for tolling, including discounts for in-state drivers and commuters and possible long-term reductions in the state gas tax. The Berlin lawmaker said he’s […]

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Bradley International Airport officials prep new 20-year, $1.4B master plan

Bradley International Airport officials are recommending $1.4 billion in projects over the next two decades as part of an ambitious master plan that would prepare the state’s largest airfield for millions of additional passengers. There were 6.4 million Bradley passengers last year, still below the 2000 and 2005 peaks of roughly 7.4 million and 7.2 […]

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Buyers Sought For Hartford’s XL Center As General Assembly Opens Bidding For Aging Arena

The Capital Region Development Authority is issuing the “request for proposals” for the purchase of the aging XL Center in hopes of attracting a buyer that would relieve taxpayers, at least in part, of the costs for operating and upgrading the arena. One bidder — Oak Street Real Estate Capital, a Chicago private equity firm […]

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I-84/Park Road Construction In West Hartford To Pick Up Next Month, Lane Closures Expected

Construction costs are estimated at $6.8 million, 80 percent of which will be paid for through federal funding, with the state and town each contributing 10 percent to the cost. Construction to align the I-84 exit ramp with the entrance ramp started in October. The project has largely been contained to the area between the […]

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Aresimowicz promises House vote on tolls

House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, said Tuesday he intends to call a vote next week on legislation making an initial commitment to implementing electronic highway tolls, despite Republican opposition that could brand Democrats as the party of tolls. Aresimowicz said he did not fear Republican campaign mailers accusing Democrats of opening Connecticut motorists to tolls […]

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Parties sharply divided over higher ed, labor costs, transportation

Democrats devote $26 million more to the Special Transportation Fund than Republicans did, nearly matching the resources Malloy sought. Malloy has been warning since November that the fund is headed for insolvency. Absent more funding, the state would need later this year to scrap some rail services, drive up fares, and suspend 40 percent of […]

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New AG opinion a blow to tribes’ East Windsor casino

Attorney General George Jepsen strongly warned the legislature Tuesday against allowing the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to jointly develop a casino in East Windsor without the approval of the Interior Department, a condition of the 2017 law permitting the project to compete with MGM Springfield. The Interior Department has refused to accept or reject […]

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Long-delayed development in Bridgeport back on track

After several setbacks that delayed the project, developer Mark Reed said he and his partner Patrick Normoyle are looking to ramp up construction after closing on much-needed loans last month. Construction of the mixed-used development is expected to bring 104 apartment units and 8,000 square feet of retail space to what had been decaying sites. […]

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State OKs $6 million loan for Columbus Commons

The State Bond Commission approved a $6 million loan to go towards the first phase of New Britain’s Columbus Common project Friday morning. The $6 million, 50-year, interest-free loan will help project stakeholders with the first phase of the project: the building of the first structure. The L-shaped building will contain 80 new units of […]

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Developers pitch $1B N. Britain fuel-cell powered data center

The developers, Energy & Innovation Park LLC (EIP), recently submitted a $1 billion proposal to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to build a 20-megawatt fuel-cell park and high-tech data center on the manufacturer’s historic campus. Stanley is in support of the project, and Mayor Erin Stewart also submitted a letter of support […]

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Fed. Agencies Set Two-Year Goal for Infrastructure Project Reviews

Under a memorandum of understanding that department and agency heads signed on April 9, a “lead agency” would take charge of drawing up an environmental impact statement and record of decision for eligible projects. Signatories included the Transportation and Interior departments, Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers. There is wiggle room in the […]

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Hartford city council approves Dillon Stadium redevelopment

The Hartford city council on Monday approved a major redevelopment plan that authorizes the Capital Region Development Authority to manage Dillon Stadium for at least five years in an effort to bring pro soccer to Hartford. The license agreement allows CRDA to manage Dillon Stadium while the Hartford Sports Group (HSG) lures a United Soccer […]

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Speaker: Legislature May Take No Action On Casinos This Session

House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz said Tuesday he would not be surprised if the legislature takes no action this year on casinos. MGM Resorts International has been lobbying hard for a Bridgeport casino, but eastern Connecticut lawmakers have been pushing equally hard to preserve jobs and the money the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes have been […]

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Construction decelerating, but not declining, experts say

Total construction starts anticipated for the coming year amount to a 3% gain, which, although lower than last year’s 4% rise and more substantial increases in previous years, is still in positive territory. Bob Murray, Dodge’s chief economist, said that the market is functioning at a decent clip and that despite rising interest rates and […]

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Program in Meriden helps women break into male-dominated fields

Building Pathways Connecticut is an apprenticeship program that focuses on helping women and minorities break into the construction and industrial careers. The four-year program is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Grant Program and gives participants the opportunity to gain real work experience, earning essential certificates and preparing for jobs in the industry. […]

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Bid awarded, work to begin in May on Waterbury Mixmaster rehab project

The state Department of Transportation awarded a $153 million contract to rehabilitate the Mixmaster to a Chicago-based company Friday. The DOT received six responses to its invitation to bid on the project, which involves renewing the 10 bridges that comprise the Route 8 and Interstate 84 interchange, and Walsh Construction’s $152.9 million bid was the […]

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Business leaders, transportation execs talk infrastructure woes at senator’s summit

Local business leaders and transportation executives gathered on Tuesday afternoon for a transportation forum that touched on the viability of public-private partnerships, rail siting and transit outlook for the coming decades. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., hosted the summit at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. Instead of federal funding, Trump would like to see more public-private […]

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DEEP details three offshore wind proposals

A day after two offshore wind developers announced proposals for Connecticut, state regulators released details of three total projects submitted this week, including one from New Bedford, Mass.-based Vineyard Wind LLC. Developers said Vineyard Wind could create 450 jobs in Connecticut during construction and operations, starting as early as 2021. The proposal includes $10 million in […]

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