A developer is seeking zoning approval for a food court in a mixed-use building at 17 Talcott Notch Road in Farmington. The 34,208-square-foot building, which contains healthcare offices, a hair salon and an accounting firm, is owned by Sarjac Partners LLC, a real estate development company. The principal of Sarjac Partners, Michael Reiner of Farmington, filed the zoning application. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled to open during the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Monday, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The building is located near a busy intersection of Farmington Avenue. According to the application, the area has recently seen a decline in the number of restaurants.

Food court proposed in Farmington mixed-use office building

Dykes, the commissioner of energy and environmental protection, had come under fire for enforcing a bottle deposit law as written, as opposed to how lawmakers described their intentions in debate. Gilman, the commissioner of administrative services, angered Republicans during her confirmation hearing for failing, in their view, to adequately explain what her agency was doing to ensure school construction money was properly spent. The House confirmed both commissioners after brief debates. The fix enacted Thursday was simple, requiring the addition of a dozen words to the bottle law: “‘Carbonated beverage’ does not include any product that contains wine or spirits.” Every Democrat and 14 Republicans voted for Dykes’ confirmation including Candelora, the House GOP leader. The House confirmed Gilman on an 89-48 vote, with one Democrat, Rep. Minnie Gonzalez of Hartford, joining 47 Republicans in opposition. Candelora was one of three Republicans voting for passage.

House confirms Katie Dykes at DEEP, Michelle Gilman at DAS

A man authorities describe as part of a years-long conspiracy to rig bids at major construction projects across Connecticut has agreed to pay the government more than $300,000 in addition to serving five months in prison. Gary DeVoe of Bethlehem is one of four men and three companies convicted of dividing up among themselves industrial insulation contracts at public and private construction projects valued at $39 million. “The charged bid-rigging conspiracy occurred amongst individuals at competing insulation contractors seeking to allocate customers amongst insulation contractors and extract higher prices from project owners,” federal prosecutors said in court filings. “The aim of the bid-rigging was to fraudulently benefit all of the insulation companies, rather than directly lining the pockets of any particular individual.” The jobs involved installing insulation around heating, cooling and duct systems at 34 new construction and renovation jobs. The government claims the rigged bids cost building owners more than $1 million in losses.

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-conn-bid-rigging-conspiracy-20230209-20230209-vpb65gcs3zhwfekdphps24wvbi-story.html

Gov. Ned Lamont plans to nearly double the state’s investment in affordable housing development, raising it to $600 million in the coming two-year state budget, according to documents released Wednesday. Lamont unveiled his $50.5 billion two-year budget proposal Wednesday in a speech focused on economic growth that benefits a wider range of incomes. That speech carried a heavy focus on meeting growing housing needs, as well as investing in education, workforce training, child care and tax cuts aimed at lower-income households. Lamont’s budget aims to incentivize developers to build 6,400 housing units in the next two years. That spending includes $50 million annually for the Housing Trust Fund administered by the State Department of Housing. It provides loans and grants for affordable housing development.

Gov. Lamont proposes $600M for affordable housing, tying it to fair economic growth

A former Gateway Community College building on Sargent Drive may become home to the school’s automotive and transportation technology programs, according to city officials. The initial concept for reuse of the currently underutilized building would be a part of Gateway District, which is under the Long Wharf development plan to upgrade the city’s waterfront. The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system is looking to use the space on Sargent Drive for its automotive needs for Gateway; the school’s North Haven campus currently houses those. The city is in the process of acquiring the space from the state. There was a bill recently introduced in the General Assembly (H.B. 5719) to transfer the parcel to New Haven for $1. CSCU last year received a bond authorization of $28 million for the automotive project, according to the system. It has undergone a preliminary design process.

https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/gateway-building-long-wharf-development-plan-17773771.php?src=nhrhpdesecp

Nonnewaug High School students learned firsthand about life in the world of architecture and construction during a career-panel discussion Wednesday morning. The student-led event featured seven local professionals, including a civil engineer, welder, plumber, heavy equipment operator, Department of Transportation supervisor, construction manager, architect, and pool business strategist. As for skills, each explain the degrees in certifications required for their field, but said soft skills like communication, perseverance, the ability to problem solve, showing up every day, attitude and being able to work well with others were vital to their success. The event was organized by Nonnewaug seniors Sage Mauro and Sophie Pape and junior Madison Willis as part of their Mastery Based Learning Experience project, a new statewide graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2023.

https://www.rep-am.com/localnews/2023/02/08/construction-from-the-ground-up-students-learn-about-building-architecture-at-career-panel/

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has put its Hartford campus up for sale, CBRE announced Wednesday. The school plans to look for a new campus location with smaller space that provides both remote and in-person classroom opportunities, the source said. The 12.7-acre site also includes a four-story parking garage and surface parking lot, totaling more than 860 spaces. CBRE said it has been retained as the exclusive adviser in the sale. The property is being marketed as “mixed-use redevelopment opportunity in Hartford’s Downtown North neighborhood,” the company said. CBRE has listed the property without a formal asking price. John McCormick and Anna Kocsondy of CBRE’s Hartford office are in charge of the listing.

Rensselaer to sell downtown Hartford campus; property marketed for redevelopment

The City Council Monday approved applying again for a $25 million grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant would allow the garage to add 250 parking spaces to the existing 910 spaces as well as add a transit hub and a cultural and tourism center. Parking Authority Director Carey Redd said the need for more parking is driven by the construction of the National Coast Guard Museum which is already underway. The museum is estimated to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. This would be the fifth time the city is applying for a grant to fund this project. Redd said the New London Parking Authority first applied in 2017, then in 2018, 2020, and 2021. The expansion is part of an infrastructure project in downtown New London that will also see the construction of new pedestrian bridge above Water Street, a new high speed ferry terminal and the restoration of the Union Train Station.

https://www.theday.com/local-news/20230208/new-london-attempts-to-get-federal-funding-again-for-garage-expansion/#

Gov. Ned Lamont’s proposed $50.5 billion two-year state budget includes money for a Danbury charter school if that is what stakeholders decide is best for the city, a spokesman said Wednesday. That means a new public charter school proposed for Main Street in downtown Danbury appears to be a definite maybe under Lamont’s budget plan. State Sen. Julie Kushner, a Democrat and a critic of the charter school who believes it would drain money from the city’s underfunded public schools, said the governor clearly means that she and members of the city’s delegation to Hartford should decide what’s best for the city. Although questions remain about what process the charter school would follow to open on Main Street in August as the organizers plan, Esposito said the next step was clear.

https://www.newstimes.com/news/education/article/money-for-danbury-charter-school-in-lamont-budget-17772429.php?src=nthpdesecp

The trial between East Haven and plaintiff John Patton, who owned Farm River Rock quarry, began last week, with tens of millions of dollars in damages hanging in the balance. Patton previously filed a $30 million lawsuit against former East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. and other town officials, alleging they illegally closed his 1 Barberry Road quarry business for political reasons. But former town Zoning Enforcement Officer Chris Soto, who also is being sued by Patton, said during Tuesday’s proceedings that the decision to close the quarry stemmed from it violating East Haven’s zoning regulations, which prohibited quarrying. Soto issued Farm River Rock a cease and desist order in 2017, a decision he testified Tuesday was solely his own. Soto said he consulted with Town Attorneys Alfred and Joseph Zullo prior to issuing the order, but not with Maturo. The quarry since has reopened under the name East Haven Trap Rock Quarry, with new partners from New York in control and Patton now having a minority stake. Patton had offered to settle with the town for $3 million, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.

https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/farm-river-rock-quarry-trial-east-haven-17769269.php?src=nhrhpdesecp