The bipartisan infrastructure law that Congress passed in 2021 gave $8 billion to the Department of Energy, or DOE, to support the development of at least four regional “hubs” for clean hydrogen, which is seen as a promising alternative fuel to fossil fuels for a variety of industries. And while DOE has yet to begin soliciting proposals, or even to define what a “hub” is, governments and businesses all over the U.S. are already coming together to vie for the funding. In some parts of the country, where hydrogen is already a part of the economy, it might look like converting existing infrastructure and industries to cleaner processes. But in the Northeast, it means building something totally new. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the agreement between her state, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey to jointly apply for the DOE funding in March. The press release named 40 additional partners, including hydrogen technology companies, utilities, and universities, that will contribute to the vision of a northeast hydrogen hub.

https://grist.org/energy/the-northeast-is-poised-to-become-a-hydrogen-hub/

The New Jersey-based development company behind the Merritt 8 Corporate Park is aiming to build a 129-unit apartment complex on the same site. Mountain Development Corporation is seeking the town’s approval to construct the four-story building on a largely-undeveloped plot of land off Hawley Lane, according to an application submitted to the town. The application is currently before the Stratford Inland Wetlands Commission, a seven-member board charged with determining whether construction projects adhere to local environmental regulations. Kelly Kerrigan, Stratford’s environmental conservation superintendent, said the commission could vote on the application as soon as Wednesday. If approved, the proposal would then move to the zoning commission. Municipalities can only deny 8-30g applications if the project would cause a substantial health or safety concern. Developers, meanwhile, can only take advantage of the law if less than 10 percent of a municipality’s housing units are designated by deed as affordable.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Developer-seeks-Stratford-s-OK-for-129-17312611.php

The Greenwich Hospital administration considered and then rejected several alternate sites for its proposed upgraded cancer facility, in part because of parking, its formal application spells out.
The hospital is seeking to build a 56,000-square-foot Smilow Cancer Center near the main hospital, which is raising concerns in the neighborhood. An earlier plan was voted down by the town’s Planning & Zoning Commission in 2021. The formal application also lays out a timetable should town approvals be granted. The hospital administration says site work could take place from the summer to the winter of 2023, including blasting and excavation for the underground garage. The construction work would take place in 2024, with the building frame mostly completed in that year. Interior work would be accomplished in 2025, with an expected completion time in summer 2025. The project needs a zoning change as well as a special permit from the town Planning and Zoning Commission, which has not yet scheduled a hearing on the project.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Greenwich-Hospital-rejected-several-site-options-17313119.php

City and project leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off the planned City Hall renovations Thursday. Following the ceremony, which saw city leaders don hard hats and dig with shovels, Mayor Jeff Caggiano gathered architectural renderings for the new city hall and spoke of the history and importance of the project. He was joined by representatives from “D’Amato and Downs A Joint Venture” and QA+M Architecture and Studio Q. Ray Rogozinski, director of public works and lead project manager, thanked all those who supported and helped plan the renovation project, including city staff and construction leaders. He said that the new city hall will better serve residents. Tony D’Amato, of D’Amato Construction, recalled his former service on the city council during which, he said, he engaged in early discussions about what to do with City Hall. Former City Councilor David Mills, who attended the groundbreaking, had suggested Memorial Boulevard, where D’Amato is currently working on renovating the arts magnet school.

http://www.bristolpress.com/BP-Bristol+News/407186/city-hall-renovations-kicked-off-with-a-ceremony-thursday

With excavators and a bulldozer standing by, the developer planning apartments at the long-abandoned Ames headquarters in Rocky Hill has begun environmental remediation after buying the property for $2.3 million. Rocky Hill struggled for years to find a major retailer or office management company interested in reusing the 250,000-square-foot building after Ames went out of business in 2002. “A lot of people in Rocky Hill have memories from here — so many people worked at Ames,” said Marotta, who spent a summer after high school as a data entry clerk in a third-floor office. Hamden-based Belfonti Companies LLC this month paid $2.3 million for the property, and plans to build 213 apartments — one of the largest new residential projects in central Connecticut. Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration last year put $500,000 toward the environmental cleanup of the 1965 building and surrounding property. Marotta said the public-private partnership nature of the new development was key to starting progress.

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-connecticut-rocky-hill-ames-20220716-qsbs2qgmabdcxgkdyqespuqhqq-story.html

A detour that caused concern among residents in Lyme, East Haddam and Salem last year seems poised to become a problem again this year ― but for new reasons. The recommended detour as crews replace the bridge across Strongs Brook in East Haddam would take drivers some 30 miles out of the way. When approached by the DOT last fall for permission to use the road again for the imminent project, both East Haddam and Lyme agreed to the proposal. Lyme First Selectman David Lahm said the town has concerns about speeding and the increased traffic on the road but will be putting up its own signs and portable digital speed signs, as well as taking other measures to mitigate any issues, including potentially paying for increased state trooper presence along the road if necessary.

https://www.theday.com/local-news/20220715/thirty-mile-multiple-town-detour-proposed-during-route-82-bridge-construction/

The Biden administration has a plan to create a highly skilled diverse workforce to complete infrastructure projects over the next decade. Biden’s idea is to encourage job training programs in certain sectors in order to benefit communities and groups lagging in male-dominated trade industries. A Biden executive order seeks to impose project labor agreements (PLAs) on all federal construction projects worth at least $35 million as a means to do that. “The use of a PLA can provide structure and stability to large construction projects,” said the White House. “PLAs also help ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing workplace safety and health, equal employment opportunity and labor and employment standards.” PLAs guarantee a contractor will enter into collective bargaining agreements with at least one union covering the duration of the project. Biden’s February executive order directed federal agencies to use such agreements on construction projects above $35 million.

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/biden-plas-apprenticeship-mandates-meet-industry-opposition/57212

City Council approved a motion to allow the mayor to move forward in applying for a state grant which could potentially bring millions to infrastructure and development improvement along Riverside Avenue. The mayor said state officials encouraged Bristol to apply for up to $30 million in grant funding because the state’s economic and community development officials are looking for “transformational projects that can be linked together.” He likened it to processes the Bristol ARPA Task Force was using in its oversight of federal fund administration to local initiatives. The mayor said the city has been planning to make a new Riverside Avenue streetscape and the grant would be a “golden opportunity for us to take advantage of once in a lifetime-type funds.” The application is due July 25.

http://www.bristolpress.com/BP-Bristol+News/407180/grant-could-bring-millions-to-infrastructure-development-improvement-along-riverside-avenue

The Putnam Bridge Trail Connection Project will provide a safe and simpler way for pedestrians, pets and bikers to cross the Connecticut River between Wethersfield and Glastonbury. The project, which is expected to be complete in October 2023, will cost about $8.2 million, Department of Transportation spokesperson Josh Morgan said. The State Bond Commission already approved the needed funds. The project will include parking lots on the shores of the Connecticut River on both sides of the bridge and a paved trail leading from the parking lots to the mouth of the bridge, Giulietti said. The completed trail will make the Putnam Bridge one of the few in the state for pedestrians and bikers to cross the river without a vehicle. In April, the project bid was awarded to Richards Corp. for $8,207,115.85, according to DOT documents. To accommodate construction, there will be overnight lane closures Sunday through Friday on Route 3 southbound in the area from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and on Route 3 northbound from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

https://www.nhregister.com/hartford/article/Crossing-the-CT-River-Construction-begins-on-new-17305668.php?src=nhrhpdesecp

A 47-apartment development on Petremont Lane will more than double its size. The Planning and Zoning Commission, at its meeting Tuesday, approved Good Guys Development’s proposed modification to Petremont Lane and brings the apartment total to 100. Tuesday’s vote was 5-1 in favor of the project, with commissioner Jimmy Tickey opposed. He voiced concerns about the potential for the negative traffic effects of the project — dubbed Clock Tower at Petremont Lane. Traffic engineer Kermit Hua of KWH Enterprise, reported the traffic effect from the project would be “limited.” Petremont Lane is just off River Road. The property abuts a nonresidential area and a residential area, and, according to the application, the purpose of the planned development district is “to allow the construction of an apartment building to accomplish a transition between single-family use and an established nonresidential area.”

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Shelton-zoning-OKs-100-apartment-development-on-17305911.php