Town officials plan to raze all of Silver Lane Plaza, after approving the demolition of two more buildings Tuesday night. Mayor Mike Walsh said demolition of the largest building to be finished by Labor Day, but the timeline on the two smaller structures is less clear. Town Council Vice Chairman Don Bell said he felt renovating the two structures would have been a hard sell at roughly $8.8 million, and clearing the property would open up more potential for development. East Hartford acquired the plaza by eminent domain on March 1, using $4.5 million from the State Bond Commission. The entire project, including demolition and relocation costs, is budgeted at $10 million. “These are nine different and unique businesses, each with different demands and different time frames to find a suitable location to relocate,” Walsh said.

https://www.ctinsider.com/journalinquirer/article/east-hartford-silver-lane-18140065.php

Hartford’s aging XL Center arena is now closer to a major renovation than it has been in a decade, after state lawmakers backed a plan that would allow at least $20 million in private investment for the $107 million project. The legislation, approved as part of the $51.1 billion state budget for the next two fiscal years, also includes another $15 million in public funding for a total of $80 million. The state approved $65 million in funds three years ago that would come from the proceeds of the sale of state bonds. Gov. Ned Lamont is expected to sign the legislation, passed by both the House and Senate this week. If all components fall into place, it will be essential to begin the renovations by the end of year to meet future revenue projections expected by OVG, Freimuth said. The makeover is expected to stretch out over two years to work around the hockey and basketball seasons.

Hartford’s XL Center closer to major renovation than in last decade. Here’s why.

Salvatore Campofranco and Luzern Associates, based in Boston and Greenwich, are building The Day Hill Logistics Center, a 170,300-square-foot manufacturing and distribution center at 425 Day Hill Road, near Bradley International Airport and Interstate 91. Developers anticipate an early 2024 opening. The facility is being built “on spec,” with no tenant secured. Office space can be built to suit, according to the application. Day Hill Road LLC and Campofranco bought the two properties at 415 and 425 Day Hill Road from the Real Group II LLC in April 2022 for $1.2 million. The project cost was not disclosed. Members of the development team could not be reached for comment, and Barz said he does not know of any prospective tenants yet for the site.

Day Hill Logistics Center set to break ground in Windsor

New York-based Regan Development Corp. last month pitched a $26 million project that would involve construction of 64 units at 2980 State St. and the addition of infrastructure improvements aimed at making the roadway more pedestrian-friendly. Fifteen percent of all units would serve people earning 30 percent or less of the area median income, he said. Of those, some would be reserved for renters with cognitive or intellectual disabilities, Regan wrote, while a couple would be reserved for individuals who were recently experiencing homelessness. The firm is working with the town to seek state funding that would help offset the cost of the project. To that end, the Legislative Council’s Economic Development Committee on Monday approved a resolution for the town to apply for $8 million from the state Community Investment Fund, according to a meeting recording and agenda on the town website.

https://www.theday.com/state/20230607/affordable-housing-pitched-for-hamden/

The General Assembly approved a $7.5 billion two-year bond package late Wednesday that invests nearly $5 billion in transportation, housing, capital projects at public colleges and universities and local school construction. The Democratic-controlled legislature endorsed the financing in overwhelming bipartisan fashion, with the House of Representatives voting 145-4 and the Senate backing the measure 35-1. The plan also orders new financing to help local school districts improve air quality, support renovations to the Connecticut Convention and XL centers in Hartford, and to cover added costs involved with dredging New London port to facilitate a wind-to-energy project. Rebuilding Connecticut’s aging highways, bridges and rail lines again consumes a major portion of the state’s credit card. Lawmakers authorized nearly $1.6 billion in transportation bonding for the fiscal year that begins July 1 and another $1.5 billion in 2024-25.

Lawmakers send $7.5B bipartisan bond package to Lamont’s desk

The 1.88-acre property at 16 Cedar St., with a commanding view of Norwich Harbor, is the site of the former New London County Jail, a factory associated with the jail and the home site of an early 19th century prominent Norwich African American family. A Hartford-based housing developer purchased the property in January for $80,500 and has submitted plans to the city for a proposed four-story, 26-unit apartment building, with open recreational space in the front area near the School Street intersection. The Commission on the City Plan will hold a public hearing on the permit application by 16 Cedar Street Development LLC at 7 p.m. June 20 at 23 Union St. The abandoned jail was torn down in the 1950s, its foundation and stone walls now concealed by thick brush and trees that have taken over the property.

https://www.theday.com/local-news/20230604/apartment-building-proposed-for-19th-century-jail-site-in-norwich/

Yale New Haven Health’s goal to build a comprehensive medical center at the site of the former Macy’s at Meriden Mall remains behind schedule. Yale New Haven officials said the 179,258-square-foot former Macy’s store will be used to provide out-patient care for patients through partnerships with Smilow Cancer Hospital, the Yale New Haven Heart and Vascular Center and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. Construction workers have been doing interior demolition and recently filed a plan revision with city building officials, said city Economic Development Director Joseph Feest. After purchasing the former anchor store for $2.8 million in October, Yale New Haven Health initially said it planned to start construction in early 2022, and open some services in the next 18 to 24 months.The project was expected to be completed by the end of 2023 or early 2024.

https://www.myrecordjournal.com/News/Meriden/Meriden-News/Yale-New-Haven-still-in-planning-stage-at-Meriden-mall.html

For the third time in a year, planners have shut down a major development proposed for the open terrain off Interstate 84 at Exit 9 — this time a rezoning request to allow 300 apartments. Bloom was referring to request by New Jersey developer Sterling Properties to rezone 70 of the 100 acres in question on Hawleyville Road from light industrial to residential, to allow a 14-building complex of one- and two-bedroom apartments with rents ranging from $2,300 to $2,900. The two other developments planned for Hawleyville Road were both run out of town after residents organized opposition. First, Newtowners successfully opposed a Manhattan investor who wanted to build an 8-acre trucking warehouse on the 100 acres. Next, residents successfully objected to a New York developer’s plans for 200 apartments on a next door property. At a June 1 public hearing where Newtown planners voted 4-to-1 to reject the rezoning request for 300 apartments, resident Mark D’Amico said a residential development of that size would cost the town more than it would contribute, starting with an estimated 127 school-aged children that could come with the project.

https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/newtown-apartments-denied-new-jersey-developer-18135459.php?src=nthpdesecp

After months of delays caused by environmental issues, the developers of the luxury apartment project at the Steelpointe site are now aiming to break ground on the first phase in around 50 days. As reported in early January, the Christophs had hoped construction would already have been well-underway. But things got complicated after it was determined the site, the former location of a steel works and electrical substation, had more ground pollution problems than initially anticipated. The overall goal is to build 1,500 luxury apartments in all. Phase one involves 400 and is estimated to take two years to complete, though Christoph said tenants might be able to move in in stages as the units are finished. “It’s going to be exciting,” Christoph said. “It’s going to be another great year to show off Bridgeport’s waterfront.”

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/steelpointe-luxury-apartment-project-passes-18137492.php

Connecticut taxpayers could cover up to $80 million in renovation costs for the XL Center arena in downtown Hartford under the budget deal struck by Gov. Ned Lamont and legislative leaders this week. Among the multitude of provisions in the budget compromise is the outline of a deal that would see Los Angeles-based entertainment and events company Oak View Group bear at least $20 million in XL Center renovation costs in return for a long-term agreement to manage the roughly 15,500-seat sports and entertainment venue. The CRDA – a quasi-governmental agency responsible for economic development initiatives in Hartford and East Hartford – manages the XL on behalf of the city of Hartford. The facility currently runs at a roughly $2.5 million to $4 million deficit yearly, which is covered by the state. Backers say the XL Center is needed to promote vibrancy in Hartford, and pays dividends in extra demand at restaurants, hotels and other nearby businesses. CRDA leaders believe renovations to make the building a more attractive and economical venue for performers could see it turn a profit.

Lamont budget deal pledges up to $80M for XL Center renovations