The state has selected developers to create a new transit-oriented, mixed-use community adjacent to New Haven’s Union Station, and says it’s actively pursuing another project in Stamford. The $316.1 million New Haven project will convert underused state-owned land at Union Station into a development anchored by two, 16-story towers housing 470 new apartments, including 118 affordable units. Gilbane Development Company and MURAL Real Estate Partners have been selected to lead the project. The first phase of construction is scheduled to begin in late 2026 and be completed by early 2028. The second phase will start in August 2029, and wrap up by November 2031. In addition to the New Haven site, the Connecticut Department of Transportation will issue a request for proposals this summer for another transit-oriented development project in Stamford.

Developers chosen for $316.1M mixed-use redevelopment at New Haven’s Union Station

A Connecticut salvage yard with a connection to Nascar racing has proposed building a two-story recycling center on its property. The building’s first floor will house an area for receiving, processing and shipping metal materials, a garage and welding area for business maintenance, offices and restrooms. It will also include a “museum” space to display the LaJoie family’s racing collection and memorabilia. LaJoie’s, doing business as D&R Inc. of Norwalk and DLJ Associates, recycles vehicles and other metal products for reuse by the building trades and other industries. Plans also call for demolishing a metal building along the southern boundary of the property. The property currently has a 5,800-square-foot commercial/industrial building and other structures, including storage bays for recycled projects and an automobile crusher.

CT salvage yard with ties to Nascar proposes 36,000-sq-ft recycling center

Earlier this month, Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration announced the area Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG), in collaboration with the city and Trust for Public Land, is receiving those funds to design a continuous pathway with more spots providing direct access to the channel. The route would run from Waterview Park, situated at Crescent and Waterview avenues, down to where Waterview and Stratford avenues intersect at the Steelpointe harbor front redevelopment. “The waterfront pathway is no pipe dream,” said Vincent Mobilio, senior economic development associate for Bridgeport, who helped obtain the $200,000 in state aid. The city is also promoting its “Waterfront Wednesdays” initiative, encouraging participation in several outdoor events like birding, skating and painting at shoreline venues, including Waterview Park.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/bridgeport-waterfront-access-grant-yellow-mill-20383713.php

The federal government on Monday released a “record of decision” for construction of a new courthouse on Allyn Street in downtown Hartford, which marks the final step in a two-year environmental review process. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has selected the 2.2-acre site at 154 Allyn St., now a surface parking lot, situated between Union Station and the XL Center. GSA will begin soliciting bids for design and construction this summer, according to Monday’s announcement. The new courthouse on Allyn Street will span 281,000 square feet and contain 11 courtrooms and 18 judges’ chambers. It will have offices for other federal agencies and a secure two-level underground parking garage.

New federal courthouse in Hartford gets green light, enters design phase

The wind turbine installation vessel Wind Scylla, hoisted out of the water on towering structures downriver from New London Union Station, is undergoing repairs at State Pier, according to Paul Whitescarver, executive director for the Southeastern CT Enterprise Region and chairman of the CT Port Authority Board of Directors. Whitescarver said the repairs are minor. It’s the second time the ship has docked at the pier for repairs. It is unclear how long the ship will be here. The vessel is being used to help construct three offshore wind farms, South Fork Wind, Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind. Scylla is owned by Cadeler, a Copenhagen, Denmark-based company that has a contract with energy company Ørsted. The Revolution Wind project is a joint venture of Ørsted and Eversource.

https://theday.com/news/757998/massive-offshore-wind-ship-getting-repaired-in-new-london/

Gov. Ned Lamont announced Monday that he is vetoing two controversial bills, including one that would pay unemployment benefits to striking workers and the omnibus housing bill. The veto of the housing bill, House Bill 5002, became a possibility after opposition dramatically increased in the final days of the 2025 legislative session and after the bill was approved in both chambers following negotiations between the governor’s office and legislative leaders. The 41-section bill attempts to address a critical housing shortage by requiring municipalities to set goals for affordable housing, prioritizing state aid to communities that build housing and streamlining approval for so-called “middle housing,” defined as a building with two to nine units. “We can do better and we will do better,” he said. “I would like to see that bill back on my desk after a special session this fall.”

Lamont vetoes controversial housing, striking workers bills

A Minneapolis-based developer is proposing a housing development in Farmington with hundreds of units, including a mix of upscale apartments, owner-occupied townhomes and detached single-family dwellings. Crown Equities LLC has filed an architectural master plan with the town for the development, called Enclave at the Farmington River. The project, estimated to cost $225 million, would be located on two properties that span a combined 63.5 acres at 3 Bridgewater Road and 1179 Farmington Ave. The developer plans to include an affordable component and will seek financing through Build for CT, a state program that incentivizes construction of housing for middle-income residents. According to a development summary submitted to the town, the project would have a positive fiscal impact, improve wetlands and remove the gravel pit operation. They are in the process of compiling a zoning application and are seeking state permits.

Minneapolis developer eyes $225M upscale housing project in Farmington

Stagnant water from a tributary of the Kinneytown Dam gives off a stench that keeps residents in the North Fourth Street area of Ansonia from opening their windows in the summer heat. While below, at the base of the dam, shad, eels and salmon attempting to migrate up the Naugatuck River have found themselves stuck until they die trying. Then, vultures and other predators swoop in to eat the corpses. Zak and other environmental activists, elected officials and government agencies have been working for years to address the problems caused by the dam. And now, armed with $47 million, including $25 million in state funds received this month, they hope to acquire and remove the dam by the end of 2028. The most costly and complicated part of the project is likely going to be dealing with up to a million cubic yards, roughly 50,000 dump tri-axle trucks-worth, of potentially contaminated sediment that has accumulated around the dam, said Paul Woodworth, senior director of ecological restoration for Save the Sound.

https://www.ctinsider.com/waterbury/article/ansonia-kinneytown-dam-removal-naugatuck-river-20372634.php

By next spring, the town’s Public Works Department hopes to begin work to replace the aging single-span bridge that carries Wheaton Road over the East Aspetuck River. Built in 1985, the 35-foot-long Wheaton Road bridge consists of a multigirder steel beam and concrete deck superstructure supported by concrete abutments and wingwalls, according to data from the Wethersfield consulting firm Close, Jensen & Miller. The bridge is located 300 feet east of Route 202 between Northfield Cemetery and Carlson’s Grove Park, and has an estimated average daily traffic of 890 vehicles per day, according to data from the state Department of Transportation. The bridge has been deemed in “poor condition” and is vulnerable to failing due to erosion from flowing water on the East Aspetuck River. The estimated cost of construction is $2.52 million, according to the DOT. Ballard said 80% of the project will be paid for with federal funds and 20% will be paid for with state funds. Construction is tentatively expected to start the spring of 2026 and finished by November 2026, according to Ballard. A detour route will be prepared this year, with Wheaton Road traffic redirected to Litchfield Road and Upland Road, he said.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/newmilford/article/new-milford-wheaton-road-bridge-replacement-20375683.php