Southington’s Cava Restaurant buys adjoining property ahead of $7M expansion

The family-run business, which rebooted outdoor dining service May 20 amid the state’s phased economic reopening, recently invested more than $500,000 to acquire an adjoining 2-acre property on West Street to make room for an additional 200 parking spaces and a 6,000-square-foot addition to its main restaurant, Cava General Manager Tony Papahristou told HBJ in […]

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CT homebuilding permits down 65% in April

New housing construction in Connecticut plummeted to a three-year low in April during what was the first full month of COVID-19-related shutdowns, new data shows. Prior to April’s report, new housing permits in Connecticut had increased year-over-year for eight consecutive months. For the year, there have been 1,368 housing permits issued, down 9.5% from 1,512 […]

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Raising Coast Guard Museum funds is priority, not parking

Assuring all necessary parking is directly across from the museum is not critical. Arguably, it may not even be preferable. One reason the editorial board has consistently supported the planned museum site on the water, behind the historic train station, is the increased pedestrian activity it would create for the downtown. That would not be […]

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Lyme-Old Lyme $2.28 million school turf field moves forward

After receiving unanimous approval from the town’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission on Tuesday evening, it appears a proposed $2.28 million synthetic turf field project the Region 18 Board of Education is considering building is moving forward. The 143,000-square-foot, all-weather, multipurpose field, if eventually approved by the Board of Education, will be located behind the […]

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CT heads to Wall Street to jump-start its construction industry

Treasurer Shawn T. Wooden launched an $850 million bond sale last week to bolster Connecticut’s transportation program, and this week plans to secure another $500 million in financing for various other capital projects and state initiatives. The transportation bonds will finance upgrades to the Gold Star Memorial Bridge on Interstate 95 in New London, the […]

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Renovation plan approved for downtown Norwich buidings

The New York group that purchased two abutting historic downtown buildings once envisioned for a heritage museum received approval this past week to create 42 apartments in the upper stories and to renovate the Main and Water street storefront spaces in what city officials hope will bring new life to lower Main Street. The Rochelle, […]

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East Lyme working to allow public vote on additional $2.1 million needed for police building

After First Selectman Mark Nickerson said the town may not be required to hold a town meeting vote on an additional $2.1 million needed to complete the police building renovation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he told the selectmen last week that town officials are trying to find a way for residents to provide input. Besides having only […]

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Derby business eyes expansion near Greenway

George Schrade wants to expand his Water Street business, A Quick Pick Crane Co., and build a 40,000-square-foot warehouse for large vehicle storage on 14.2 acres off Division Street. Schrade bought the land from the city for approximately $375,000. The proposal from Schrade Roosevelt LLC was presented at a virtual public hearing the Planning and […]

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Contractors challenged by lack of labor, jobsite tension and delays

In most jurisdictions, projects are coming back on line, and construction managers are struggling to fill jobs. First of all, the enhanced unemployment benefit provided by the federal CARES Act is keeping many workers on the sidelines. The legislation, passed in March, supplements state coverage with an additional $600 a week, more than double the […]

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Connecticut loses massive 266,000 jobs in April

Connecticut shed 266,300 jobs in April, a record single-month loss that highlighted the devastating toll of the coronavirus crisis, according to preliminary numbers released Thursday by the state Department of Labor. Since March 13, the labor department has received more than 535,000 unemployment insurance applications — about the same amount that it would typically receive […]

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State highway agencies need a $50B federal cash infusion or construction could halt, group says

A $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill proposed on May 12, included $15 billion in funds for state departments of transportation, but that is lower than the almost $50 billion that the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) officials estimates DOTs will need. Some states have begun to suspend major road and bridge […]

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Report recommends measures to improve safety, traffic flow along Route 66 in East Hampton

The Town Council will be looking at improved safety and traffic flow along the Route 66 corrider, after being presented with a series of recommendations from the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Government. The long range study, if approved, would enable the COG to move ahead to seek grants and other funding sources to […]

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Amazon eyes second distribution center in Windsor; looks to add 1,000 new jobs

As first reported by HBJ last month, Indiana developer Scannell Properties has proposed to build a $50-million, 823,000-square-foot distribution hub on former tobacco farmland at 1201 Kennedy Road and 1 Joseph Lane. Town officials and design professionals representing Scannell at the time did not name a potential tenant. Amazon, though, emerged as the prospective tenant […]

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Plans for the Connecticut River rail bridge replacement go before Old Lyme commission

Nearly six years after first announcing a proposal to replace the more than century-old railroad bridge spanning the Connecticut River between Old Lyme and Old Saybrook, the estimated $400 million project appears to be moving forward. Obtaining the license from DEEP is one of many regulatory steps the rail service must take with both the […]

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Despite COVID-19 impact, developer Winstanley still bullish on CT’s bioscience, industrial markets

Winstanley has become a transformative figure in New Haven, responsible for the $200 million 100 College Street bioscience development (informally known as “the Alexion Building” although its anchor tenant relocated its corporate headquarters to Boston almost two years ago). It represents the first phase of the city’s multi-year Downtown Crossing redevelopment project that aims to […]

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Construction Starts Show Sharp Contraction in April

Total construction starts declined 25% from March to April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $572.2 billion as COVID-19 and economic recession hit the construction sector. In April, nonresidential building starts fell 37% from March, while residential dropped 25%. The decline in nonbuilding construction starts was more tepid, falling just 5% due to strong […]

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$108 million New London High School project poised to start this month

Project and construction managers overseeing the $108 million reconstruction of New London High School are pushing for a May start date for major construction work. Diana McNeil, project manager for Capitol Region Education Council, said the value engineering work is still ongoing and some numbers remain fluid, but the construction manager for the project, Newfield […]

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DEEP rejects Candlewood Solar permit in New Milford

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection rejected the stormwater management plan for Candlewood Solar’s project on Candlewood Mountain under the general permit. The department is also now requiring any new plan be submitted under the stricter individual permit, fulfilling the town’s request from earlier this year. The project calls for Candlewood Solar’s parent […]

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Cromwell town projects move forward despite pandemic

“All our major infrastructure projects are still going on,” Town Engineer/Deputy Highway Superintendent Jon C. Harriman said. Work is essentially complete on the new 95-stall public parking lot off Community Field Road, and crews are pushing ahead with the reconstruction and repair of a portion of Coles Road. The construction is being done by D’Amato […]

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Shawmut Design and Construction rolls out COVID-19 tracing platform for employees

Shawmut Design and Construction, a Boston-based construction firm with an operation in North Haven, created a technology platform meant to track possible transmission of the COVID-19 virus among employees and contractors. The platform allows employees and contractors to fill out a health survey each day to self report whether they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, […]

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Groton RTM approves agreement for Seely School property

The Representative Town Meeting gave its approval Wednesday for the town to enter into an option to purchase agreement with DonMar Development for the 14-acre William Seely School property. The vote was 27-2, with three abstentions. The option agreement is for one year, but could be extended for another six months. The price for the […]

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Shelton P&Z opposes apartment plan at PerkinElmer site

The Planning and Zoning Commission opposes granting a zone change that would allow construction of 272 apartments on the Bridgeport Avenue property that also houses PerkinElmer. The plan called for four buildings and 272 units with 10 percent of the units — 27 total — listed as affordable housing. The structure housing PerkinElmer would remain, […]

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What contractors need to know about the Paycheck Protection Program

The PPP initiative, which has seen two rounds of funding totaling $659 billion and is being administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) through traditional lenders, was intended to provide short-term financing to small businesses that would otherwise have to lay off employees as a result of stay-at-home orders and mandatory shutdowns. While this sounds […]

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Waterbury officials hopeful that site of former factory can be transformed into youth baseball field by next spring

Dan Pesce, interim director of the Waterbury Development Corp., said he expects to begin work at some point this year. If that happens, he’s confident the field could be ready for use next spring. The state gave Waterbury $2 million to clean away the rubble, leaving behind a Brobdingnagian concrete foundation at the close of […]

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East Lyme to consider additional $2.17 million for new police building

After receiving construction bids and tallying additional costs in recent weeks, the committee overseeing renovations for the town’s new police building unanimously voted Tuesday to move forward with a $7.17 million plan to complete the project. The Board of Finance agreed in early 2019 to allot $5 million toward the current project, which voters later […]

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Construction loses record-breaking 975K jobs in April amid pandemic

The construction industry lost 975,000 jobs in April, according to the most recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as contractors experienced less demand for their services amid the pandemic. This drop represents approximately 13% of the country’s construction workforce, said Associated General Contractors of America. The dismal April numbers are proof, the […]

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Big Y to open Clinton store on old high school site

Massachusetts-based grocery chain Big Y is expanding its presence on the Shoreline, opening a store on Route 81 near Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets sometime next year. The construction of the supermarket will create job opportunities for local contractors, according to Big Y officials. When the store opens, it will employ more than 150 people in […]

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Lamont, knowing many still reluctant to return to work in CT, considers enhanced unemployment benefits

People who are anxious about returning to work, particularly those who could be vulnerable to the coronavirus, might get some relief that could allow them to remain at home and receive unemployment benefits, Gov. Ned Lamont indicated on Monday. The state’s fatalities on Monday in the coronavirus pandemic rose above 3,000, prompting Lamont to wish […]

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Kent streetscape project, crosswalks moving forward

The town’s streetscape project to replace the sidewalks and install new crosswalks is moving forward with a Streetscape Building Committee. The Streetscape Building Committee agreed unanimously to support both of these crosswalks and will ask the selectmen Tuesday to endorse the changes. In addition, the committee wants the selectmen to direct surveyor Gary Hock to […]

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Towns balk at cost of overhauling Hartford trash plant

Under a term sheet signed late last year with Sacyr Rooney, which would lead the $330 million-plus modernization of Hartford’s Mid-Connecticut plant, the quasi-public Materials Innovation Recycling Authority (MIRA) was responsible for securing commitments from municipalities by June 1 for at least 650,000 tons of annual waste shipments. MIRA surveyed the approximately 50 municipalities the […]

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New London seeks $24.8 million to expand garage in anticipation of National Coast Guard Museum

The city is applying for $24.8 million in federal funds to expand its Water Street parking garage, a third try at obtaining funding for a project that would complement a $100 million National Coast Guard Museum proposed to be built across the street. The proposed project is closely tied to the future construction of a […]

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Shuttered Bloomfield nursing home eyed for 46-unit apartment conversion

The town’s Planning and Zoning Commission last week approved a zone change, and master and site plans submitted by Pacifica Connect LLC to redevelop the existing nursing home building at 55 Tunxis Ave., which has been vacant since 2016, into a multi-family housing community. Pacifica, based in San Diego, Calif., received several other town approvals […]

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Brownfield grant will boost River Street remediation in New Haven

Connecticut municipalities are among more than 100 across the country that have been awarded Environmental Protection Agency grants to clean up brownfields to make them desirable properties for redevelopment. The state received $2.3 million for six projects out of $85.6 million distributed across the country, many of them for use in Opportunity Zones that can […]

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West Hartford eyes second $20M transit-oriented development on New Park Ave.

The nonprofit development arm of the West Hartford Housing Authority says it’s secured federal tax credits to build its second, $20-million transit-oriented development on New Park Avenue. Trout Brook Realty Advisors on Monday said the tax credits awarded by the Connecticut Finance Housing Authority (CHFA) and additional financing from the Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) […]

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DOT: 3-year Merritt Parkway project coming to an end

After three years of work, the state Department of Transportation has announced the final stage of construction for the ongoing Merritt Parkway improvement project in Fairfield and Westport. The five-mile stretch of the Merritt Parkway included in the $56.7 million project will transition to full final alignment progressing east to west (Fairfield to Westport) as […]

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CT can delay its transportation financing debate only a few months more

With Connecticut’s economy reeling from the coronavirus, legislators insist they won’t hike gasoline taxes or impose tolls this summer — even with new projections the transportation program is headed for collapse in just over one year. Gov. Ned Lamont outlined the urgency last week when he and the legislature’s nonpartisan fiscal analysts noted the STF […]

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Builders’ Union Floats Detailed COVID-19 Safety Measures

North America’s Building Trades Unions and its affiliated research organization, The Center for Construction Research and Training, urged employers on Monday to develop a “comprehensive COVID-19 exposure control plan” with temperature checks and designated COVID-19 officers at job sites. NABTU, which is an alliance of 14 unions representing building and construction workers, said the national […]

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Pushing past another delay in New London schools’ construction project

Disappointments and delays continue for the New London public schools’ building project, an integral part of the plans to convert the district to the state’s first all-magnet-schools system. Way back in 2014, voters approved $168 million for new school construction. For the bulk of the project the state is reimbursing 80% of the costs. So, […]

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Developer breaks ground on $50M Cromwell apartment community

A Hamden developer has started construction on a $50-million apartment home community on a long-vacant property near Cromwell’s well-traveled Route 372. Belfonti Companies LLC on Thursday said the 160-unit complex at the end of Country Squire Road will be constructed in multiple phases over a 22-month period. Property management firm Bozzuto Management has been selected […]

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East Hartford building supplier kickstarts PPE sales amid construction industry slowdowns

Coronavirus disruptions have slowed millions of construction sites across the U.S., making it difficult for material distributors in the industry to stay busy. Nationally, many states, including Connecticut, have ordered all essential workers wear face masks to curb the coronavirus outbreak. Grocery stores and airlines are also ordering workers, customers and passengers to wear masks. […]

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East Lyme town officials review construction bids for new police building, select contractor

The $3 million bid, which includes $743,000 to build out a sally port and holding cells, was submitted to the town last week by Noble Construction & Management of Centerbrook and was the lowest of nine bids for renovations in the 30,000-square-foot-building at 277 West Main St. Noble has completed projects for Yale University and […]

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The new normal: 8 ways the coronavirus crisis is changing construction

Superintendents at Bridgewater, Massachusetts-based Callahan Construction Managers have implemented a variety of protocols to promote social distancing and employee health, including a ban on carpooling, a 100% mask and glove policy and well-stocked handwashing stations, according to president Pat Callahan. In addition, the company’s safety team made 200 gallons of sanitizing soap that has been […]

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Final phase of natural gas line expansion between Wallingford, Middletown begins

Construction will get underway this week on the third and final phase of a $7 million expansion of Eversource Energy’s natural gas distribution network between Wallingford and Middletown, company officials said Monday. The natural gas distribution network expansion is being allowed to continue because it is considered essential under the state’s coronavirus pandemic plan. Social […]

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Connecticut’s record-setting rainy day fund is running on borrowed time

Though little is certain amidst unprecedented economic chaos and partisan feuding over federal relief for states, Connecticut’s fiscal leaders agree on one thing: The worst-case scenario — no fiscal cushion and a revenue base down $1 billion or more — could be facing Lamont and state lawmakers as early as February when they start crafting […]

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Groton-New London Airport temporarily closed to air travel due to maintenance project

Groton-New London Airport temporarily is closed to air travel until Sunday morning due to pavement maintenance work on the intersection of the runways, airport officials said. Tony Sheridan, chairman of the Connecticut Airport Authority board of directors, said the project is part of scheduled repair and maintenance at the Groton airport. Terminal and airport businesses […]

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Part of Route 25 to be resurfaced in Trumbull, Bridgeport

The Department of Transportation has announced that a nighttime resurfacing project on Route 25 northbound and southbound in Bridgeport and Trumbull will begin on Thursday, May 7. This project is expected to be completed by Monday, June 8. The milling segment of this project is anticipated to be performed on Thursday, May 7 through Friday, […]

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Wallingford Town Council votes to fund $7.4 million Community Pool renovation

The Town Council approved an amended ordinance Tuesday evening to appropriate funds and authorize bonds for the renovation of Community Pool Park. The ordinance amendment that passed Tuesday increases the appropriation and bond authorization by $6,845,000, from $625,000 to $7,470,000. Michael Savenelli Sr., Parks and Recreation Commission member and pool committee chairman, said that the […]

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New name for Hartford’s redeveloped Westbrook Village intended to look toward new future on site of demolished, 1950s complex

Charlie Adams, regional vice president for Philadelphia-based Pennrose LLC, a partner in the housing redevelopment, said Tuesday he does not expect the COVID-19 pandemic to delay leasing. The construction schedule has not been impacted, Adams said. The initial stage, costing $28 million, is backed by a combination of state funds, a federal home loan grant, […]

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Port Authority says State Pier construction schedule on track

The Connecticut Port Authority on Monday authorized its chairman to secure an agreement with a company that will oversee the estimated $157 million redevelopment of State Pier. The project to create an offshore wind hub is expected to start early next year and finish in 2022. Activity could start before year’s end with demolition and remediation […]

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Bristol greenlights $5M downtown apartment complex

A Southington development firm says it will break ground in the coming months on a $5-million apartment complex in downtown Bristol after receiving a tax abatement and other development approvals from the city. The city council recently approved a multi-year tax abatement for Carrier Construction Inc. to push forward its plan to erect 32 market-rate […]

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Union construction workers rise to meet the many challenges of COVID-19

From necessary upgrades to keep roads and highways safe to maintaining and upgrading utilities, continuing construction work ensures that the country will have the infrastructure it needs during this critical time. Union construction — not just through the AFL-CIO, but through any trade union — has long had a strong reputation for its attention to […]

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Working or Unemployed, Construction Workers Are Screwed

Leaders at two major building trade unions this week described an increasingly desperate economic climate for their members. Eric Dean, the president of the 130,000-member Ironworkers Union, said that 30% of his work force was “idle or sitting at home,” and that unemployment continues to rise by the day. Jim Williams, vice president and organizing […]

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Niantic River Drawbridge repairs to begin May 4

The state Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin a $13.9 million project to repair the Niantic River Drawbridge on May 4. The yearlong project will require periods of alternating one-way traffic. The state has hired Middlesex Corp. of Littleton, Mass., to do the work. All roadwork on the bridge is to be completed by […]

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Despite COVID-19, Construction Continues on Milford Bridge

The job has continued during the COVID-19 pandemic with construction jobs not stopped in Connecticut. Though Gov. Ned Lamont has established business restrictions during the pandemic, he has spared the construction industry, with limitations only placed on indoor construction jobs. New England Road of Clinton, Conn., is the general contractor and won the job with […]

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CT could start to reopen ‘sometime in June’

Nooyi — the retired chair and CEO of PepsiCo and top business executive leading the efforts to reopen the state — said the committee to reopen Connecticut has been brainstorming ways to “selectively” reopen the economy when the time comes. “We are never, ever going to not focus on public health,” Nooyi said. She estimated […]

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Long time coming: Project manager selected to get Anna Reynolds School renovation off ground

The project building committee hired Colliers International, which will now be analyzing the building’s needs and formulating a cost for the school’s reconstruction. Newington Town Council has also shown its support, voting unanimously at its most recent meeting to appropriate $50,000 to the committee for the construction manager’s selection. In addition to a failing roof, […]

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Development agreement outlined for New Haven’s $100M life-sciences incubator

Developer Winstanley Enterprises LLC of Concord, Mass. has proposed to build 500,000 square feet of laboratory and life-sciences incubation space at a new address: 101 College Street. The 101 College Street project was first reported in January. That was before the coronavirus pandemic hit, dealing a body blow to economic-development projects in Connecticut and around […]

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Contractors, Army Corps of Engineers transforming buildings into makeshift hospitals

Around the U.S., efforts to flatten the curve have pushed the federal government, often spearheaded by the Army Corps of Engineers, to construct hospitals in convention centers or other similar spaces, or for contractors to speed up construction of traditional hospital projects already underway. One of the first was the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center […]

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New Fairfield approves land purchase for school project

During a special joint meeting Monday night, the Board of Selectmen authorized the purchase of the 2-acre property for $325,000, and the Board of Finance voted to authorize the appropriation from the town’s capital and non-recurring projects fund balance. Officials have said the $325,000 property purchase price will not be an added cost as the […]

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Legislature Won’t Return Before May 6

Senate President Martin Looney, D-New Haven, said Monday that they haven’t ruled out a special session, however, the state Capitol will remain closed through the constitutional adjournment of May 6. Looney said they can’t bring people back into the building without the proper protection, such as masks and gloves. He said they are working with […]

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Will the coronavirus kill the state’s transit comeback?

Ridership was breaking records almost every year in the last decade – until the coronavirus pandemic hit. Now ridership has dropped precipitously, especially on Metro-North trains, where ridership is down a stunning 95%. Bus ridership is down about 50% across the state, according to Connecticut transportation officials, though in the past week it has inched […]

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New Fairfield residents question legality of high school building plan

Town officials are looking to acquire 78 Gillotti Road for its high school building project, but some New Fairfield residents are questioning whether that move is legal without a referendum. One resident called for the project to be “formally placed on an indefinite hold” due to construction costs and financial hardships taxpayers are facing as […]

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Labor officials: Having bank account on file can speed up unemployment benefits

Gov. Ned Lamont and labor officials announced earlier this week that emergency programming revisions to the department’s nearly 40-year-old IT system will reduce a six-week average wait time to seven days by April 25. “If we can do direct deposit you will have the funds within two business days” of claim approval,” said DOL spokeswoman […]

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Future of Killingly turf project up in the air

Killingly High School was hoping to get the turf project for its football field approved by the Killingly Town Council earlier this week. A special town meeting to approve the project could not be held since Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has banned all public gatherings. If the turf field is not approved in May, the […]

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Waterbury may save on school’s reconstrution

Bids for the reconstruction of Wendell Cross Elementary School have come in millions of dollars cheaper than city officials predicted. The architect and project manager estimated a $50.6 million cost in October. But on Monday, the Board of Aldermen will be asked to sign off on contract amendments that set the cost at $46.2 million. […]

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Construction tops industries in PPP stimulus loan funds, but still needs additional funding

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which allowed for a cap of $349 billion in loans to small qualifying firms in need due to the coronavirus outbreak​, ran out on April 16. As of April 13, the construction industry had received 114,838 loan approvals, totaling just under $34 billion — more than any […]

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Boston Mayor Considers Bringing Construction Back, Slowly

He also noted that any plan depends on the rate of ongoing infections and hospitalizations. Resumption of construction will move ahead cautiously, with Massachusetts entering what state officials say is likely the peak period for coronavirus deaths and infections. Walsh floated the idea of seeking affidavits from contractors pledging to follow coronavirus safety protocols. He […]

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Paying employees during a coronavirus-related project suspension: What do federal laws say?

The quick answer is that contractors are generally not required to pay employees for time off during a project suspension, but it may depend on the specific circumstances. While federal wage and hour law does not require contractors to pay employees during time off from work, the new federal leave laws do require paid leave […]

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Loan OK’d for Hartford’s DoNo development, summer groundbreaking eyed

The Capital Region Development Authority’s (CRDA) board of directors on Thursday afternoon unanimously approved, via teleconference, an $11.8 million low-cost loan for the first phase of the project led by RMS Cos. Salvatore recently said the first phase, estimated to cost $46 million, could be completed in 18 months. The development will house up to […]

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Brief outbreak of tolls debate marks Bond Commission meeting

Republican legislative leaders charged Gov. Ned Lamont with retaliating against toll opponents after the State Bond Commission scrapped financing at the last minute for rail cars for the Waterbury and Danbury lines. The administration countered that the change was due to a simple, agenda error. But Lamont also told critics that the state’s transportation program […]

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These Real Estate And Construction Industry Insiders Will Advise President Trump On Reopening The Economy

The White House announced the formation of Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups Tuesday night, made up of more than 200 people, largely corporate CEOs, who will give Trump advice on when and how the federal government should reopen the economy. Associated General Contractors CEO Stephen Sandherr, who was among those named on the list, […]

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Multi-building industrial complex eyed in South Windsor

David A. Simler, of Messier Survey LLC, filed an application with the town last month seeking to build a 13,400-square-foot industrial complex at 360 Burnham St. The area near the East Hartford town line is mostly developed with a mix of commercial, industrial and residential use, according to documents accompanying the application. Simler will need […]

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City Council approves construction project to replace Louisiana Avenue Bridge

The City Council Tuesday night approved a construction project to replace the Louisiana Avenue Bridge, with approximately 80% of the $3.7 million cost state funded. Construction is expected to start in May. The project is being funded through the Federal/ Local Bridge program administered by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, said Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu. However, […]

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Millstone moving forward with reactor refueling amid COVID-19 pandemic

But amid the COVID-19 pandemic, operators have had to restructure this spring’s refueling for Millstone’s Unit 2 reactor to ensure the safety of both resident and visiting workers. That effort will include social distancing protocols but should be carried out successfully, Millstone spokesman Ken Holt said, as workers at the plant already have been practicing […]

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$28M in federal stimulus inbound for Bradley airport

The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday announced more than $30 million in stimulus funds for Connecticut airports, with Windsor Locks’ Bradley International claiming the lion’s share. Bradley, which has seen its customer traffic plummet and its debt outlook dip amid the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, will receive $28.5 million, according to the FAA. The Connecticut […]

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O&G Powers Quarry with Solar

O&G Industries, Connecticut’s largest privately held construction company, recently went live with a 1.3-megawatt (MW) solar array at its quarry on Roxbury Road in Southbury, Conn. The solar array sits on 5-acres and will produce the energy equivalent necessary to power 150 homes. The project is one of three solar projects that O&G has developed […]

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Southington Public Library announces plan to pursue construction of new building

Southington Public Library announced, at a virtual Southington Town Council meeting, that they plan to pursue the construction of a new building and the demolition of the existing one. The library has agreed to a plan that would cost $13.9 million. Kristi Sadowski, library director and Jeff Hoover, library design director with Tappe Architects, spoke […]

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New Fairfield to vote on land acquisition for high school

The Permanent Building Committee voted last week to recommend the purchase of the 2-acre property to the boards and move forward with a construction plan that incorporates it into the $84.2 million project. During next Monday’s virtual meeting, the selectmen will vote on authorizing the purchase of 78 Gillotti Road, while the Board of Finance […]

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Facing delay, Westport school board prepares contingency plans for Coleytown

The plan to re-open Coleytown Middle School on Sept. 1 may likely face a delay because of the coronavirus. Last summer, the Representative Town Meeting approved a $32 million plan to restore Coleytown after the middle school closed in 2018 due to massive mold problems. But with social distancing guidelines now in place, O’Day said […]

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Crisis averted for $87.35 million Middletown middle school project

Officials were happy to report the $87.35 million middle school project is right on schedule, despite a roadblock involving nonessential business amid the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Ned Lamont’s recent executive order deemed only construction projects already underway could continue, however, New York-based Schenectady Steel’s production was deemed nonessential by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, according to Gene […]

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New Haven’s Grand Avenue Bridge to close Monday for $22 million construction project

The city announced that the Grand Avenue Bridge in Fair Haven will close for construction Monday, allowing for “significant structural improvements.” The bridge is expected to remain closed for approximately 610 days, Mayor Justin Elicker and other officials said in a release. The $22 million project is expected to completely replace the mechanical and electrical […]

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Spring paving programs to begin in May for many roadways in Bristol

The Public Works Department has released its schedule for this year’s spring paving program, which will be completed in two phases. The initial phase consists of milling off the existing bituminous pavement of the road. The second phase consists of installing a new bituminous roadway surface and will commence shortly after the first phase. Once […]

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Mitchell begins work on new outdoor athletic complex

Construction is underway on a new Mitchell College outdoor athletic complex, weeks earlier than expected due to the cancellation of the spring sports season and students leaving campus. The state-of-the-art complex will replace the existing grass fields with artificial turf multi-sport, baseball and softball fields, each complete with a scoreboard, bleachers and elevated press box […]

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Coronavirus concerns delay start of Mystic Seaport hotel project

Mystic Seaport Museum announced Wednesday that construction of a 26-room boutique hotel on the site of the Latitude 41 restaurant will be delayed until early 2022 because of the “economic and market uncertainty caused by COVID-19.” Construction of the $12 million project by Greenwich Hospitality Group had been slated to begin in early 2021 and […]

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Plainville town leaders receive update on White Oak construction site

During a remote meeting of the Plainville Town Council, town leaders received an update on the environmental study of the White Oak Construction site which led to a reduced estimated cost for remediation. Sarah Burkhalter-Sweeney, Senior Project Geologist at Loureiro Engineering Associates, Inc., said that by better confining the areas of contamination, she has new […]

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Scannell Properties eyes sprawling $250M distribution facility in Windsor

Scannell, which is currently building a $50-million distribution hub for Home Depot in South Windsor, last month filed an application with the town of Windsor seeking approval to construct an 819,800-square-foot “packaging and distribution” facility at 1201 Kennedy Road and 1 Joseph Lane. The Indianapolis-based company is seeking a special use permit and site plan […]

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Pipe replacement starts early

The Hebron Elementary School Drinking Water Remediation Committee is taking advantage of schools closed by COVID-19 to get a head start on the $1.2 million lead pipe replacement project. Preliminary work was originally set to begin during April break while students were away and kick into full gear in June after students are released for […]

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Thousands of Mass. Union Members Walk Off Jobs Due to COVID-19 Fears

Thousands of members of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters refused to show up for work on April 6 at new housing and infrastructure projects across Massachusetts after a top union official issued a stay-at-home order. The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35 will also follow suit, with the […]

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Lamont issues new guidelines for biz to keep workplaces safe

Gov. Ned Lamont has signed another executive order that prescribe new rules for how businesses that remain open during the coronavirus pandemic should operate to keep workers safe. They range from instructions on how to keep portable bathrooms on construction sites clean to asking for social distancing in the workplace. Lamont signed the executive order […]

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