Construction on the new Bullard-Havens Technical High School, a massive state-of-the-art facility designed to replace the existing 71-year-old trade school, has officially begun. The new building, which is slated to open in 2026, will be the first net-zero school in the state’s technical education system, an achievement officials hailed as a model for future vocational schools. The more than $200 million building, which was designed by JCJ Architecture and is being constructed by the Gilbane Building Company, will have enough space for 13 separate shop programs, including automotive technology, carpentry and the culinary arts, among others.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/construction-begins-new-bullard-havens-school-18095787.php

The city and the Connecticut Airport Authority have formally asked federal authorities to authorize an operating agreement for the latter to run Bridgeport’s Sikorsky Memorial Airport. The sides have since been talking about reaching an arrangement for the CAA to run, but not own, the airport with a particular focus on relaunching the dormant regular passenger service there. The initial length of the agreement would be five years with an option for an additional two years or for the CAA to again pursue an acquisition of Sikorsky. The 2023-24 fiscal plan the mayor proposed in early April rolled that $4 million over. But when the council voted on a final budget last week, it had reduced the amount to $2 million because of the ongoing uncertainty over Sikorsky’s fate.

https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/bridgeport-ct-airport-authority-seek-management-18095789.php?src=rdctpdensecp

The Capital Region Development Authority is considering a $6.5 million loan toward a $45.35 million conversion of two antique state office buildings on Hartford’s Trinity Street into 108 apartments and a restaurant. The CRDA’s Housing and Neighborhood Committee, meeting Thursday, gave its blessing to the loan request from a development team of Philadelphia-based Pennrose and The Cloud Co., of Hartford. Plans call for 108 apartments, mixing studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. For now, the development team is hunting down financing to see if the project is viable. CRDA Executive Director Michael Freimuth told board members he believes they have until August to complete due diligence and commit to a purchase. They are still about $5 million to $6 million short of their budget target, but Thursday’s approval will be an important step to closing on other funding sources, Freimuth said.

$6.5M CRDA loan sought for $45.35M renovation of two historic state office buildings on Trinity Street

Renovations on three Darien elementary schools have been delayed a month for additional work and updated costs, sparking some concern for funding and timing for the upcoming school year. Originally slated to start construction in mid-July, renovations on Hindley, Holmes and Royle elementary schools are now set to begin in mid-August, though work is still expected to finish on schedule in summer 2024. The renovations feature a $68 million overhaul of all three schools including removing all portable classrooms for new building wings, new libraries and common spaces and updated classrooms. Construction company O&G Industries, working closely with the design firm, recommended an additional review to include items not part of the earlier documents such as radon design and soil testing and expand on design specifics for connecting existing buildings to the new wings.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/hindley-holmes-royle-renovations-delayed-18090783.php?src=sthpdesecp

Wesleyan University in Middletown is planning a new arts center by renovating part of an existing structure and building a new addition. The project will take up university-owned space, mainly parking areas, at 177, 181 and 185 College St. The number of parking spaces would be reduced from 58 down to three. If the plans are approved by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commision, the project would then go out to bid, and likely take 12-18 months to complete, said Joseph Banks, a project manager at Wesleyan. The new 19,155-square-foot lab will house two small design and drawing studios, a small movement dance studio, three offices and performance space for students and the public.

Wesleyan planning new arts lab renovation, expansion

The proposed 211-mile, $2 billion Twin State Clean Energy Link would enter the United States in Canaan, Vt. It would be buried along state highways in Vermont and New Hampshire until it linked to an existing transmission corridor in Monroe that would carry the power to a new substation in Londonderry. From there the power could be distributed throughout New England. Unlike much of the power currently brought to the United States from Canada that is generated by hydro generation facilities in Quebec, it would also have the ability to deliver power generated by wind and solar facilities in Canada. For years the Northeastern United States has tried to find ways to take advantage of hydropower produced in Canada and Canadian officials have been eager to sell power in the U.S. If approved, the earliest the New Hampshire project could begin construction would be 2026.

https://www.theday.com/state/20230510/new-hampshire-utility-proposes-transmission-line-from-canada-to-carry-energy-to-new-england/

Freimuth said he expects to release bids for the planned renovations to the downtown Hartford arena this summer, with returns expected in time to determine in “late fall” if costs fall in line with the projected $107.2 million budget. The OVG agreement is a plan to grant Los Angeles-based entertainment company Oak View Group a long-term management agreement in return for a hefty upfront contribution for renovations. Freimuth declined this week to say how much OVG is anticipated to contribute. OVG has managed the XL on behalf of the CRDA since late 2021, when it acquired a venue management and hospitality company Spectra, which was contracted to manage the XL center. The Bond Commission last week released $7 million for repairs and upgrades at XL. Freimuth said a portion of this money will pay for designs and to prepare bid documents for release this summer.

Fate of planned $107.2M XL Center upgrade could be determined this fall

Construction recently began on 90 market-rate housing units at 406 Bee St. bringing more housing options to the city’s east side. Bee Street Apartments LLC purchased the 7.8-acre vacant parcel for $1.7 million in August from JHM LLC of Lexington Mass. Keith L. Lenhart and Daniel J. Mancosh are listed as principals of Bee Street Apartments. Lenhart is president and Mancosh is director of AR Building Co. Inc., of Seven Fields, Pennsylvania. The land is appraised at $841,700. City officials and the general public have mixed views on additional housing in all areas of the city. Those opposed have expressed concern about potential drains on city services such as schools and public safety. But supporters say the city needs more varieties of housing stock at all price points.

https://www.myrecordjournal.com/News/Meriden/Meriden-News/Site-work-begins-for-east-side-apartments-in-Meriden

After years of planning and execution, the new $7.8 million state-of-the-art pool and splash pad complex at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Middletown is set for a June opening. Funding came from the $33.5 million 21st Century Parks Bond approved by taxpayers in 2015. The complex will open to the public on June 20. It was initially scheduled to be available for use in time for the 2022 summer season. The 64-year-old pool will be 50 percent larger than the former one. C. J. Fucci Construction is managing the project, and the city is also working with SLR Consulting, formerly Milone & MacBroom. Nocera, a lifelong resident who lived on Broad Street as a child, remembers walking to the nearby pool. “It’s a fabulous renaissance in that whole park,” enhanced by the Greater Middletown Military Museum, Connecticut Trees of Honor and skating rink on the grounds.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/middletown-eyes-opening-new-state-of-the-art-18088204.php

Southern Connecticut State University is in the final construction stage of its $52.4 million new building, ready for the faculty to move in less than two weeks from now. The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system is struggling with lower enrollment to the point it plans “devastating” budget cuts — including 650 faculty and staff layoffs and the termination of some programs. The new building features 64 offices, eight classrooms, a 99-seat auditorium, an 85-seat community lounge, a specialty classroom, five conference rooms, 16 team rooms and a boardroom, according to Peter Visentin, who heads the university’s architectural services. Faculty of the School of Business will move into the new office spaces May 22, three days after the construction company transferred the building to the state. An opening ceremony of the building is set to take place Sept. 15.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/scsu-completes-school-of-business-building-18086526.php