The Connecticut Siting Council decided Thursday not to hold a public hearing on a controversial petition from Millstone owner Dominion Energy Nuclear Connecticut that would modify the boundaries of the Millstone property for use by proposed data center. Approval of the construction of the data center would instead be up to the town, he said. In February, the town agreed to a deal with NE Edge LLC that signaled it was open to the idea of hosting two two-story data buildings that would provide approximately 1.5 million square feet of storage for cloud and data servers. The centers would be supplied with energy from Millstone. NE Edge would construct a third building, a switchyard, that would receive power from Millstone and distribute it to the data center.

https://www.theday.com/local-news/20230914/siting-council-will-not-hold-public-hearing-on-waterford-data-center/

Officials have been looking at the former Citizens Bank corporate offices at 225-243 Main St. on the corner of College Street for some years. That location has at least 45,000 square feet available, as opposed to the 65-year-old deKoven Drive municipal building, which is some 35,000 square feet in size. However, the move wouldn’t happen for some time, the mayor said. The joint Russell Library and City Hall feasibility study committee also arrived at some potential locations for the 147-year-old library on Broad Street, a group of brownstone and brick structures that have been cobbled together over its many years of existence. The architect responsible for the original design of the bank is drawing up blueprints for new municipal offices, he added. “Once the committee looks at that, it will allow us to make an informed decision whether this is the right way to go,” Florsheim said.

https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/middletown-city-hall-library-possible-locations-18359766.php

Approved plans for an unbuilt 250-megawatt power plant on the west side that were in jeopardy because hookup permission to the city’s sewer and water system would expire came under criticism again by leaders who said residents are increasingly concerned about the project. “The residents are not sure whether this fits into their neighborhood,” said Rotello, a Democrat and the council’s minority leader. “As a representative of that ward, I have to take their concerns seriously.” But in the end, Rotello was outvoted by council members who said the project had been vetted and supported by city department heads. The technology campus received site plan approval from the city’s Planning and Zoning Department in 2020. The project also received a green light from the city’s Environmental Impact Commission.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/business/article/danbury-hookup-power-plant-residents-concern-18362453.php

Efforts to expand rail service in eastern Connecticut are likely to be constrained by towering costs and the limitations of a century-old rail bridge over the Thames River, according to a new assessment from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. The startup costs for two new commuter routes — which the report pegged at around $1 billion — as well as the region’s relatively sluggish pace of job growth were both cited as factors that could weigh against such an investment. “Transit investment could satisfy existing and future regional mobility needs, independent of any other long-term strategies like enhanced rail service,” the report said. Ultimately, lawmakers have yet to approve any of the funding necessary to bring regular commuter rail service to the region.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/connecticut/article/ct-commuter-rail-norwich-rhode-island-18359275.php

Superior Court Judge Cesar Noble has shot down Hartford’s latest attempt to end Middletown developer Centerplan Co.’s long-running legal challenge to its 2016 firing from the development of Dunkin’ Park. After dropping DoNo Hartford LLC as the developer of the ballpark and surrounding development, the city moved forward with Stamford-based RMS Cos., which opened its first 270-unit apartment building last year. RMS’ plan to roll right into a second phase of construction on nearby properties was stymied after the Connecticut Supreme Court in May 2022 ordered a new trial on prior challenges brought by DoNo and Centerplan. Hartford Corporation Counsel Howard Rifkin said the city has been, and remains, open to settlement talks.

Hartford’s latest effort to dismiss fired ballpark developer’s lawsuit fails

The Planning & Zoning Commission gave a New Haven development company the go-ahead on Wednesday to transform three parcels of Fort Trumbull land into two apartment complexes with a total of 500 units and a six-story parking garage. The commission granted special permit and site plan approvals to RJ Development + Advisors, LLC, doing business as RJDA Fort Trumbull AA, LCC, to build two five-story apartment complexes — one on Nameaug Street and another at 28 Walbach St. — along with a 1,200-space parking garage at 26 East St. Both the Nameaug and Walbach street apartment projects call for a mix of studio and one- and two-bedroom units with on-site property parking. The proposed East Street garage will house up to 1,200 vehicles and is expected to be heavily used by employees at the nearby Electric Boat engineering offices.

https://www.theday.com/local-news/20230913/new-london-approves-fort-trumbull-apartment-garage-projects/

The Planning & Zoning Commission on Wednesday is expected to discuss and possibly approve a New Haven-based real estate developer’s plans to build 500 new apartments and a six-story parking garage on the Fort Trumbull peninsula. RJ Development + Advisors, LLC, doing business as RJDA Fort Trumbull AA, LCC, is proposing to build two five-story apartment complexes — one on Nameaug Street and another at 28 Walbach St. — along with a 1,200-space parking garage at 26 East St., according to the site plan and special permit applications received by the city. He anticipated the proposed structure would serve Electric Boat and other local employers and will be built right across the street from where a new city community center is taking shape in the shadow of Fort Trumbull State Park.

https://www.theday.com/local-news/20230911/developer-looks-to-build-500-apartments-six-story-garage-at-fort-trumbull/

River Road has become a focus for housing development projects — the latest proposal calling for more than four dozen condo units and a medical office building along the Housatonic River. Developers have submitted two applications, one to create a Planned Development District designation on property listed as 740 River Road, the other to modify an already existing PDD at neighboring property at 762 River Road. Developers 740 River Road, LLC last year received approval from the Inland Wetlands Commission for to redevelop land at 740 River Road, presently home to three structures that would be demolished to make way for the new project.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/shelton-condos-medical-office-river-road-18355862.php

The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission approved $2.9 million in special appropriations funds for the purchase of six properties adjoining the proposed South Norwalk School. This Planning and Zoning approval comes after the estimate and taxation board’s approval last month. Alan Lo, the project manager for the city, said both are required. Set to open in fall 2025, the school can accommodate a maximum of 682 students. In its first year, the enrollment is expected to be 85 percent of the maximum — approximately 580 students.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/education/article/norwalk-planning-zoning-sono-school-funds-18359933.php

The city is embarking on a $36 million project to replace lead service water pipes with new copper lines for about 3,300 residences. While a number of municipalities are planning to replace their lead service pipes, New London appears to be first in the state to reach the construction phase, according to a state project priority list. The three-phase project will be funded through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will provide three installments of approximately $5 million; and the state Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program, administered by the Department of Public Health, with a subsidy of up to 30 percent of the project. The remaining funds – about $9 million – will be paid for using monies from the city’s surcharge fund and a 20-year low-interest loan.

New London Launches $36M Lead Pipe Replacement Project