Residents may be on the hook for millions of dollars in school construction work because officials missed the deadline to apply for state aid. And while both the Central Middle School and Old Greenwich School projects will eventually be done, base costs are expected to skyrocket because of inflation, in one case swallowing up whatever fiscal advantage might be granted down the line. Board of Education Chair Joe Kelly said because the CMS committee did not apply for state reimbursement this year, the project could get delayed if the aid is necessary to complete the project. By waiting, the overall cost of the project is estimated to escalate by 6 percent, but he said, “the escalation arguably can cost the same as we can get in reimbursement.” Now that both projects missed this year’s state reimbursement deadline, the only way for financial approval to happen in next year’s budget is by special legislation. State legislators can ask that either project be added to the 2024 Priority List, but that can only be done after it is submitted by the state’s Department of Administrative Services.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/education/article/greenwich-school-projects-reimbursement-costs-18179093.php

The city hopes to power the proposed South Norwalk Elementary School entirely by solar energy, according to Adam Blank, attorney for the school district on the project. During the meeting, the commission also discussed the existing site plans for the proposed $76 million school, which will be South Norwalk’s first in over 40 years. Blank said the school, when construction is completed, can accommodate a maximum of 682 students, though the expected student population is closer to 85 percent, or 580 students. The 12-acre space, formerly home to the Hatch & Bailey Co., will contain the school, 127 parking spaces, an athletic field and a playground, according to the plans Blank discussed.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/education/article/norwalk-sono-elementary-school-solar-power-18189536.php

The project includes creating 18 new stops and four mini-hubs and the procurement of 15 new electric buses. There also will be a dedicated bus-only guideway and traffic signal priority buses, according to officials. Members of the city’s federal delegation and local officials announced a $25 million federal grant to help build a new BRT system in New Haven at the Dixwell Q House Thursday. The federal grant will be combined with other grants to complete the $115 million project, according to state Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. Eucalitto said the state DOT and the city are working closely on the design phase, hoping to start construction in 2026 with a plan to fully open the routes in 2029. The grant announced Thursday is a part of the Department of Transportation’s $2.2 billion Rebuilding America Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Discretionary Grant Program, which awarded 162 projects across the country in total.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/new-haven-creating-brt-system-18175901.php

The state is distributing $23.8 million in grants and loans to clean up and revive former industrial sites in Bristol, Bridgeport, New Haven, Fairfield and other towns. The brownfields remediation funding affects 480 acres on 22 properties in 15 communities, including Bridgeport, New Haven and Bristol, where a shuttered steel plant is targeted for renewal. Meant to boost economic development and job growth, the projects are expected to create about 915 jobs and 811 units of housing, including 223 affordable units, state officials said. In Bristol, a $3.8 million grant will go to clean up four buildings on a 23-acre site at 300 Broad St., formerly home to Theis Precision Steel Manufacturing, state officials said.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/connecticut/article/brownfields-cleanup-funding-18170638.php

The State Bond Commission is expected to approve $340.2 million in funding for projects across the state when it meets Friday morning. The agenda includes a $6.5 million request for abatement and demolition of buildings at Founders Plaza in East Hartford, including the former McCartin School and three adjacent buildings. The commission is also set to redirect about $7 million previously allocated for redevelopment of East Hartford’s Silver Lane and Rentschler Field corridor for construction of new apartments at the former Showcase Cinema site. At least 300 units are planned for the 25-acre site. The agenda also includes $4.85 million earmarked for renovations to the state Capitol complex, including skywalk upgrades, hearing room renovations, carpeting, technology upgrades, and other improvements and repairs. The commission will also consider a $30 million request to provide supplemental financing for redevelopment and upgrades to the State Pier in New London. The plan is to create a modern, heavy-lift port through a public-private partnership.

Bond Commission set to approve $340.2M for projects, including Founders Plaza redevelopment

Two vacant parcels in a prime development area of North Haven have been sold for a combined $6 million. The properties at 405 and 417-425 Washington Ave., sit directly adjacent to the new Amazon fulfillment center, and are some of the last open parcels along the commercial stretch of Washington Avenue, Route 5. Both properties were owned by CRA NH LLC, an affiliate of New York-based Rabina Properties and Maidad Rabina, to LGID NY LLC and principal Elchonon Shilian of Brooklyn, New York, in a deal recorded June 23. Frank Hird, a broker for Branford-based OR&L, which had the listing, said the two parcels are prime for development in the industrial zone, which allows for uses such as hotels, retail, and mixed use. Development ideas include restaurants, commercial buildings and a hotel, he said.

Vacant parcels next to North Haven Amazon site sell for $6M; new development eyed

State officials are planning changes to the Bishops Corner intersection at North Main Street and Albany Avenue, citing that the area is “unfavorable for pedestrian travel.” The state’s efforts to improve pedestrian safety in West Hartford comes as the town embarks on its own Vision Zero process to do the same. The town took the Vision Zero pledge in January after experiencing six roadway deaths — three of those being pedestrians who were struck by cars — in 2022. Vision Zero looks to eliminate all roadway fatalities and serious injuries within the next 10 years. The estimated cost of the Bishops Corner intersection overhaul is $5,585,050, the state said. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2025. Funding is expected to be made up of 80 percent federal funding and 20 percent state funding.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/westhartford/article/west-hartford-ct-bishops-corner-intersection-18175401.php

The cargo ship Trina arrived at Adm. Harold E. Shear State Pier from Denmark Wednesday morning, ready to offload 16 huge tower pieces that will be used to assemble Ørsted’s first four wind turbines. Its arrival marks the first time that the 200-ton tower sections, each measuring 65 to 100 feet long, had been transported to the terminal. The towers will be a major component of the turbine assembly to be overseen by Danish wind power company Ørsted that is expected to be in full swing within the next few months. The business is technically still a partnership between Ørsted and Eversouce Energy, though Eversource is in the process of selling its interest. While the Connecticut Port Authority had previously expected to greet the arrival of the first large wind turbine parts with a major event and speeches by dignitaries, Hammond said current plans are to celebrate in August or September.

https://www.theday.com/local-news/20230628/first-wind-industry-turbine-towers-arrive-at-new-londons-state-pier/

Bronin has requested the city council authorize him to enter into a tax-fixing agreement, purchase and sales agreement, development agreement, and ground lease for 17 Bartholomew Ave. The underutilized downtown parking lot is owned by Carlos Mouta of 17-35 Bartholomew Avenue LLC, who is seeking a public/private partnership with the city in his vision for a $16.72 million mixed-use development in the Parkville Arts & Innovation District. Mouta plans to subdivide the property into two parcels. The Parcel A project will be partially financed with a $5.5 million CT Communities Challenge grant to help build 57 apartments, 30% of which would be affordable, and first-floor commercial space in a new multi-story building. Parcel B would become a public parking garage for 350 to 400 vehicles. The agreement will go to a public hearing July 17. Mouta said he’d like to see a groundbreaking by the end of the year.

Bronin eyes tax deal for Parkville mixed-use development

A plan to develop more than 200 acres got closer to realty with the recent announcement of $3 million in federal community project funding. “Every day there’s an article in the paper about the housing crisis affecting families,” DeLauro, who represents the 3rd District, said at a press conference inside Seymour Town Hall Tuesday. The planned two-mile road connecting Route 67 in Seymour and Route 42 in Beacon Falls, DeLauro said, would open up access to a future development similar to the nearby Quarry Walk in Oxford, which was built on the site of the former Haynes Stone Quarry, and includes a mix of retail, light industrial and residential use. Tom Haynes, whose company Haynes Construction built Quarry Walk, called the planned 220-acre development on the Seymour, Beacon Falls line a blank canvas where the company could apply the lessons learned at Quarry Walk.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/seymour-beacon-falls-development-access-road-18173071.php