Bethel couple proposes 30 apartments a ‘short walk away’ from downtown

A Bethel couple wants to build a 30-unit apartment complex on Whitney Road. A public hearing will be held next month. Judy and Frank Saunders are seeking approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission for the development and associated improvements proposed for their property at 17 Whitney Road. After retiring from the excavating business, Saunders […]

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Fairfield U, diocese eye new Bridgeport site for college venture

Just over a month after withdrawing a zoning application to establish a new college in the North End for low-income students, partners Fairfield University and the Bridgeport Roman Catholic Diocese are gauging public support for an alternative site. Increased traffic was one of the issues critics of the initial effort to locate Bellarmine at the […]

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Tweed New Haven airport neighbors, officials meet on concerns over noise, fumes, proposed remedies

Several-dozen Morris Cove and East Haven neighbors of Tweed New Haven Regional Airport gave airport and city officials another earful about noise, traffic, fumes, too-late and too-early Avelo Airlines flights, saying neighborhoods on both sides of the airport are not suitable for expansion. The meeting at Nathan Hale School on Townsend Avenue was required as […]

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Windsor Locks train station set to break ground in August

Windsor Locks First Selectman Paul Harrington took the next step towards construction of the $65 million Windsor Locks Train Station last week by signing a project authorization letter. At the June 22 Board of Selectmen meeting, Harrington announced that construction on the state and federally funded project will begin in August and take around 18 […]

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Indus Realty gets tentative approval for 248,000-sq.-ft. Windsor warehouse

Windsor’s Planning and Zoning Commission has given Indus Realty tentative approval for a 248,000-square-foot distribution center on 59.6 acres near Bradley International Airport. Indus submitted its application in April, shortly before Windsor officials adopted stricter controls over warehouse and logistics permitting in the form of a special permit review. Indus Executive Vice President Tim Lescalleet […]

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Bradley Airport’s $210M ground transportation facility set to debut next month

A new $210 million ground transportation center at Bradley International Airport is scheduled to open mid-July, state officials said. To celebrate the milestone, Connecticut Airport Authority officials, Gov. Ned Lamont and Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph J. Giulietti are hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 30. The project broke ground in July […]

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Timeline an important factor to some as Torrington considers school improvements

The board’s facilities and technology committee is recommending Hamden-based architectural firm Silver Petrucelli and Associates to conduct the study over Glastonbury-based SLAM Collaborative, the architect for the grade 7-12 Torrington Middle/High School project. Committee members heard presentations from the firms during a special meeting Monday. The full board is scheduled to meet at Torrington High […]

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Construction, Transportation Groups Push Back on Biden’s Gas-Tax Proposal

Lobbying groups representing manufacturers, construction contractors, and civil engineers joined dozens of industry groups on June 22 to criticize President Biden’s proposal to suspend the federal gas tax to combat sky-high fuel prices. The various coalitions argued that the effort will not bring relief to consumers at the pump and could adversely affect major transportation […]

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Public comment sought Tuesday on proposed $379 million school project in Norwich

Residents, parents and educators are invited to comment Tuesday night on a $379 million proposed school construction project that calls for four new elementary schools, major renovations to one middle school and relocating central offices. After state reimbursement, the project would cost Norwich taxpayers an estimated $149 million. The School Building Committee will hold a […]

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New Britain Water Department making three major upgrades which will cost about $27 million

The city’s Water Department is embarking on three major upgrades to its infrastructure, totaling about $26.7 million. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart spoke to the Herald Monday about the projects, which are being funded through the department’s operating budget and loan/grant programs available to the city. City officials are applying for DWSRF funding to supplement […]

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Renovations at Gosinski Park are moving ahead in Plymouth

Despite a delay due to supply issues, renovations at Gosinski Park are still moving ahead. Vinnie Klimas, chair of the Plymouth Housing Authority said in April that construction for accessibility improvements at the senior housing units would begin in May. The timetable has now been moved to Aug. 1. The construction will see units renovated […]

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Petition seeks to stop Fairfield affordable housing development on Unquowa

More than 150 people have signed a petition to repeal state statute 8-30g and stop an affordable housing development proposed for Unquowa Road. The creators of the petition, former state Rep. Brian Farnen and Michael Grant, are Republicans running for Connecticut Assembly positions in the 132nd District and 133rd District, respectively. McCarthy Vahey said she […]

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A park grows in New Haven, with help from IKEA

IKEA donated $1 million for community initiated projects in Connecticut as a thank you to the state for the help it gave families during the pandemic, Alder Eli Sabin, D-7, said. The money will close the funding gap to transform the lot – now leased for $1 a year for 15 years, with an option […]

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DOT explains proposed Route 82 roundabouts to skeptical Norwich residents

The first phase of a planned Route 82 reconstruction would create three roundabouts from the Asylum Street intersection to Dunham Street and install a median divider along West Main Street, with construction slated to start in 2025. A second phase and three more roundabouts are planned for construction in 2026, state Department of Transportation project […]

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Plainville votes not to move forward with grant application to support school renovations

Citing inflated costs, a majority of the Town Council voted not to move forward with a grant application to support renovations at the Middle School of Plainville this year. Town Council Chair Kathy Pugliese said that the project would have cost $58.7 million according to Construction Solutions Group, LLC due to the escalating costs of […]

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Offshore wind boosted as Biden and Connecticut, other East Coast governors team up

The White House is launching a formal partnership with 11 East Coast governors to boost the growing offshore wind industry, a key element of President Joe Biden’s plan for climate change. At a White House meeting on Thursday, Biden administration officials will meet with governors and labor leaders to announce commitments to expand important parts […]

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5 developers make pitch for prime Middletown riverfront property

After launching a request for proposals two years ago, the city is poised to examine five applications from developers with ideas for reusing three plots near the riverfront — an area considered a “cornerstone for redevelopment.” Since the original request for qualifications was sent out in March 2020, when the pandemic began, Mayor Ben Florsheim […]

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Cigna plans $386M renovation of Windsor data center

Bloomfield-based health insurer Cigna Corp. hopes to tap tax incentives enacted by Connecticut in 2021 for a $386 million renovation of its Windsor data center. A “host municipality agreement,” however, is required before data center owners or operators can tap the state’s relatively new Connecticut Data Center Tax Incentive Program for projects worth more than […]

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Ambitious Redevelopment of Old Saybrook Riverfront Pitched to Zoning Commissioners

A local contractor pitched his ambitious vision for the Connecticut River waterfront between the I-95 Baldwin Bridge and the Connecticut River Railroad Bridge to the town’s Zoning Commission on Monday – including multifamily housing, shops, and a raised boardwalk connecting the two marinas on Ferry Road. Cal Caldarella told the commission that he has spent […]

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Groton approves one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers

The town is implementing a one-year ban on applications to the Planning and Zoning Commission for large-scale data centers, so it can determine how to regulate them. The commission has discussed the need to create zoning regulations specific to data centers after the Town Council recently considered but ultimately rejected, due to concerns that included […]

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Torrington City Council approves road reconstruction, paving projects

This summer, a number of road resurfacing and repair projects are scheduled to begin, including work on Prospect Street, Torringford Road and numerous residential streets around the city. One of the projects, for for reconstruction of the Bogue Road Bridge, off South Main Street, was tabled until the council’s next meeting in July, after Councilwoman […]

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Sinkhole repaired on CT golf course in time for Travelers Championship; Hurricane Ida blamed for damage

Nearly a year after Hurricane Ida drenched the state and caused a large sinkhole beneath train tracks and a natural gas pipe on a golf course, the damage was fixed in time for the course to be ready for this weekend’s Travelers Championship. Three seasons and 10 months later, repairs and cleanup are complete, state […]

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Climate Change is Shifting State Views on Nuclear Power

In many of the states with the nation’s most aggressive climate goals, officials are investing millions of dollars to save the power source that was long the No. 1 target of many environmental activists: nuclear plants. Despite longstanding safety concerns, many state leaders and some environmental groups say climate change poses a greater risk than […]

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In Hartford’s Upper Albany, will a critical redevelopment project see shovels in the ground this time?

The city’s $15 million development plan for land it owns at the corner of Albany Avenue and Woodland Street includes what could become the long-sought after the visitor attraction: a 2-level, sit-down restaurant with rooftop dining. The city’s hope is that the 40,000-square-foot project will spur other neighborhood redevelopment along Albany Avenue, stretching roughly one […]

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Ambitious $280M expansion plan to reshape CT Children’s Hartford campus

Connecticut Children’s — which began operating in 1996 as the successor to Newington Children’s Hospital — is planning a $280-million expansion anchored by a new 190,000-square-foot, eight-story patient tower on its Washington Street campus. The ambitious project will create upwards of 500 new jobs — including temporary construction positions as well as the hiring of […]

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City leaders recently toured sites of future transportation projects

City leaders recently toured sites of future transportation projects with Deputy Commissioner from the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Garrett Eucalito and discussed future development prospects. Caggiano said that he and economic development staff spoke with Eucalito about IAAJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) funding which cities will be able to apply for through a competitive […]

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Connecticut officials, solar industry executives support Biden’s latest energy-related executive orders

Biden announced on June 5 that he was signing executive orders designed to make the procurement of solar energy components easier and more affordable. His orders also authorized the use of the Defense Production Act to speed U.S.-based manufacturing of equipment like solar panel components, energy-efficient heat pumps and fuel cells. Katie Dykes, commissioner of […]

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101-unit apartment conversion at former Travelers training center in Hartford gets CRDA backing

The Capital Region Development Authority board on Thursday agreed to loan $3 million toward an $18.7 million conversion of the former Travelers training center at 200 Constitution Plaza into 101 apartments. Biagio Barone of Stratford-based Barone Properties has teamed up with John Guedes, president of Bridgeport builder Primrose Cos. for the redevelopment of the roughly […]

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Trumbull set to start work on Route 111 signal, safety upgrades

Construction is slated to start soon on the relocation of the Pequonnock River Trail crossing on Route 111. The long-anticipated project would, among other things, installing a traffic light at the commercial plaza that’s home to Prime One Eleven and The Edge fitness. The town received approval for the project from the Connecticut Department of […]

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Inflation taking bite out of new infrastructure projects

Inflation is taking a toll on infrastructure projects across the U.S., driving up costs so much that state and local officials are postponing projects, scaling back others and reprioritizing their needs. The price hikes already are diminishing the value of a $1 trillion infrastructure plan President Joe Biden signed into law just seven months ago. […]

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As summer approaches, Connecticut has targeted several highway and bridge projects. Here are some to look out for.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has identified nearly two dozen “major” highway and bridge construction projects, though several, such as the new dedicated northbound lane at exit 29 on Interstate 91 for traffic to head east on the Charter Oak Bridge in Hartford, have been completed. Another upcoming “major” project, for which construction funds have […]

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Officials give approval on tax-fixing agreement to build $39 million apartment complex in Newington

Elected officials have put their stamp of approval on a tax-fixing agreement to build a $39 million apartment complex at the corner of Pane and Masselli Roads. Town Manager Keith Chapman and former Town Assessor Steve Kosofsky negotiated with Smith & Henzy Affordable Group (SHAG) to finalize the contract, providing the developer with a 43% […]

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Bristol votes to approve several new projects

The city acquired lots on School Street, across from Café Real, which Mayor Jeff Caggiano said were delinquent in taxes. “The construction will start in the fall around Park Street and shouldn’t impact the area until next year,” he said. “The street will be closed during most of that project and it will be a […]

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Shelton P&Z approves 92-apartment building on Canal Street

Revitalization of Canal Street is continuing, with plans in place for construction of a new building with retail and 92 apartments, some of which are classified as affordable. The Planning and Zoning Commission, at its meeting Tuesday, approved Shelton resident and Primrose Companies owner John Guedes’ plan to build a five-story structure, dubbed Riverview Park […]

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Architects: Overhauling Norwich schools would cost $378 million

The proposal to build four new elementary schools on existing school properties plus the former Greeneville School site would cost $378.9 million, with the city’s cost at $149 million after state reimbursement, project architects revealed Tuesday. The School Building Committee in May endorsed the concept for the four new elementary schools, each with about 525 […]

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Bridgeport area builders battle supply shortages and inflation, but experts say consumers will ultimately bear the cost

While material shortages continue to cause problems for area builders and contractors, they are now facing an additional challenge — the materials they do get may cost much more. While developers have previously blamed delays on shortages, builders say inflation and gas prices, in addition to a labor shortage, are also becoming issues. These added […]

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Bethel to demolish old police station as town looks for new use for property

After sitting mostly vacant for several years, the old police station on Plumtrees Road is going to be torn down. “If we wanted to reuse the building, the cost of remediating everything and reconstructing would probably be in the $1.5 million to $2 million range, and that’s simply not economical,” Knickerbocker said. Instead of trying […]

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Why Amazon’s warehouse pullback is good news for contractors

A slowdown by Amazon is a boon for others in the warehouse sector, especially for procurement of materials, according to industry sources. As the e-commerce giant hits the brakes on expansion, that should translate to shorter lead times for currently scarce materials such as roofing components, roofing insulation, bar joists, precast and steel, said Tom […]

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Unable to find a spot for one K-8 south Stamford school, officials now looking at 2 buildings a mile apart

A planned new K-8 school in the under-served south Stamford area could be housed in two separate buildings about a mile from each other, officials said. A school building master plan presented in February called for building or expanding four schools, including a potential new K-8 school in south Stamford. As part of the plan, […]

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‘Catastrophic’ Middletown water main break could have been much worse, officials say

Without knowing which and how many businesses were directly affected, Russo Driska contacted Water and Sewer Director Joseph Fazzino, and began sending a series of messages to DBD members with updates as she received them. She also used social media. Although it was installed in 1895, the main had undergone cleaning and lining repairs about […]

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DOT looks to improve congested Westport intersection

There were 29 total crashes at the intersection of routes 57 and 136 within the past three years, according to state collected by the state Department of Transportation. Now, the department is looking to make the notoriously congested intersection safer and less confusing with a proposed project near the Merritt Parkway. The project is expected […]

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High pay attracts workers, but construction’s employment gap widens

Rising hourly wages brought more workers to construction in May, but the industry still posted a record number of job openings to start the month, according to analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. The increase in openings represented the largest total since recording of it began in 2000, according to AGC Chief Economist […]

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East Windsor, Ct., Initiates Eminent Domain to Acquire Land That Was To Become Casino

In 2017, East Windsor’s Board of Selectmen agreed to transfer ownership of roughly 28 acres of land that housed a former Showcase Cinema movie complex to the Mohegan Tribe and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. Connecticut’s two tribes had formed a joint entity called MMCT to develop and operate a satellite casino there. But the project, […]

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Proposed East Hartford apartment complex wins another approval. What comes next?

East Hartford planners on Wednesday gave a key approval for redevelopment of a 26-acre property that could transform the Silver Lane corridor and bring nearly 440 upscale apartments to town. In a half-hour presentation, the partnership of Zelman Real Estate and Jasko Development announced the enormous project will have eight buildings with three and four […]

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Judge orders proposed 142-unit Farmington apartment development back for consideration

The developer, 402 Farmington Ave. LLC, applied for a permit to conduct regulated activities near wetlands on the 16.7-acre property, which is mostly wooded. The project includes a stormwater management system and a garage with 221 parking spaces. The commission unanimously approved a wetlands permit for the project on April 7, 2021. On May 31, […]

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Torrington’s Prospect Street project ready to get underway

Nearly two years after a plan to reconstruct Prospect Street was first was presented in a Zoom forum, the “facelift” project is ready to get underway. The project will include road reconstruction, including paving, curbing, replacement of sidewalks and associated miscellaneous work, intended to make the road safer for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Town officials […]

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Wilton Center pedestrian bridge construction to likely start soon

While a timetable hasn’t been firmly established, selectmen agreed to move into contracts with both Dayton Construction, subject to state Department of Transportation approval, and with Tighe and Bond to oversee the project. The contract with Dayton, who will oversee the project, came back at $1.18 million. Tighe and Bond’s contract totals $120,950. Smeriglio told […]

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Greenwich school board to study latest plans for a new Central Middle School — all 40 pages of it

As part of the first step toward creating a new Central Middle School, Greenwich’s school board will take another look at the latest 40-page draft of educational specifications for the new building during a special virtual meeting Friday morning. The educational specifications, created by Constructions Solutions Group, provide the building’s requirements for the future architect. […]

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As some towns resist further warehouse construction, builders and developers attempt to be good neighbors

Warehouse builders and municipal officials eager for economic development said many of the companies behind these gigantic developments work to be good neighbors, altering plans to address concerns and even making changes after opening. Adam Winstanley, principal of the busy real estate development firm, said it is standard practice to minimize impacts to neighbors and […]

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Berlin experiencing a burst of multifamily development interest

The luxury Turnpike Ridge Apartments — the work of Executive Auto Group owner John Orsini — is one of several multifamily developments underway in Berlin, a largely suburban, upper middle-class town of about 20,000. Two additional multifamily projects approved by the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission in May will add dozens of additional units. Edge […]

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Bristol’s Department of Public Works begins reconstruction of several local roads

Road repairs began on Sherman Street, Mills Street, Putnam Street, Walnut Street, Grove Street and Westwood Road from house 72 to house 244. The project is expected to take approximately four weeks. The roads will remain open during construction; however residents are encouraged to take alternate routes to avoid delays. Access to residential properties will […]

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Westport superintendent wants new elementary school

Superintendent Thomas Scarice is recommending the district build a new school instead of renovating Long Lots ahead of a vote from the school board on the options for the elementary school. The Board of Education is expected to vote next week on whether to take the next steps for renovating Long Lots or build a […]

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Danbury voters approve $208M educational bond package

The $208 million borrowing package to meet the city’s surging enrollment passed Tuesday’s referendum. With about 7 percent voter turnout, the referendum passed with 2,641 votes in favor and 433 against the $208 million educational bond package. The package includes $164 million for a career academy on the city’s west side and $44 million for […]

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Bradley International Airport to open new, $210 million transportation center as summer air travel increases; tips for smoother start to vacations

With the summer air travel season in full swing, Bradley International Airport said Tuesday it will open its new, $210 million transportation center in mid-July, concentrating all its rental car businesses in one place and adding 850 new parking spaces. Dillon said Bradley is expecting a “heavy summer travel period” at Connecticut’s largest airport which […]

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Biden orders emergency steps to boost U.S. solar production

His invoking of the Defense Production Act and his other executive actions come amid complaints by industry groups that the solar sector is being slowed by supply chain problems due to a Commerce Department inquiry into possible trade violations involving Chinese products. Word of the White House’s actions caused solar energy companies to gain ground […]

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Amazon’s distribution center expansion pullback inspires apprehension in towns eager for growth

Amazon’s plan to curb its aggressive logistics network expansion following a $3.8 billion first-quarter net loss has sent tremors of unease through some Connecticut communities where the e-commerce giant was eyeing new distribution facilities — a potential source of significant new jobs and tax revenues. The Plainfield project is being led by Exeter Property Group, […]

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First West Hartford Center apartment development in 6 years could test upper limits of rents, with ‘ luxury living’

The first rental construction in six years in trendy West Hartford Center is expected to begin in a month as two forlorn buildings are torn down to make way for luxury apartments that could test the upper limits of the area’s asking rents. The 48-unit apartment building will replace the buildings at 920 and 924 […]

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Expansion of dementia care facility Livewell underway in Southington

Construction is underway at Livewell on an expansion that will add more buildings and more capabilities to the dementia care facility on South Main Street. Dorm-style housing will allow community living for dementia patients as well as family members. The resilient living center will offer classes, screenings and help for Livewell residents as well as […]

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UI planning $208 million transmission line upgrade between Southport and Bridgeport

The United Illuminating Co. announced Thursday it will spend $208 million over the next seven years to upgrade 8.1 miles of transmission line between Southport and Bridgeport along the Metro North railroad tracks. Construction is expected to get underway in the third quarter of 2024 and be completed sometime in 2029. The project needs approval […]

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Top state, federal officials celebrate $7M in new brownfield funding for CT at blighted Waterbury industrial site

Top Waterbury, state and federal officials gathered in the cracked parking lot of a crumbling industrial complex in Waterbury Thursday afternoon, celebrating $4 million in new federal brownfield cleanup funds that will help clear away industrial eyesores in the greater Waterbury area. It is part of a larger pool of about $7 million in new […]

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Norwalk to hold first public hearing on 1,300-unit apartment complex

The Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to hold a virtual public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday for a proposed 1,300-unit mixed-use residential development. Building & Land Technology, a Stamford-based firm responsible for more than a dozen similar commercial and residential properties across Fairfield County, is aiming to build the apartments on largely vacant […]

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More Tweed New Haven airport neighbors may get soundproofing help

A second noise study to determine which neighbors of Tweed New Haven Regional Airport will qualify for soundproofing paid for largely by the federal government is nearly complete, Tweed New Haven Airport Authority Executive Director Sean Scanlon said. The subcontractor doing the study is HMMH, the same consultant that did the original study, Scanlon said. […]

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Proven State and Local Strategies To Create Good Jobs With IIJA Infrastructure Funds

State and local policymakers should use the once-in-a-generation IIJA funds to support investments that connect workers to good jobs; establish project-specific agreements to support workforce stability and local benefits; screen all bidders for responsibility; and enforce wage and equity standards with monitoring and partnerships. To the extent possible, cities and states should attach these requirements […]

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Diesel fuel tax to rise sharply in CT; Experts say costs will hit consumers

Already reeling from skyrocketing national inflation, Connecticut consumers face a one-two punch beginning July 1 that threatens to make groceries and other basic goods even more expensive. The Department of Revenue Services is expected within the next two weeks to announce a major increase in the state’s diesel tax, effective July 1 and driven by […]

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