A controversial plan to renovate the existing senior center at 24 W. Main St. is back in the spotlight after the City Council recently voted to send it back to committee. The Senior Center Building Review Committee rejected the proposal two months ago and opted to hold out for a new $36 million facility at 116 Cook Ave. However, that plan has been significantly delayed by flood control and dredging work, estimated to cost an additional $10 million. After surveying seniors and selecting the Cook Avenue location, the committee discovered last fall that design and construction could not begin until at least 2027. The project had initially included a new Health and Human Services Department but after learning about the delays, health department and city officials agreed to rehabilitate the agency’s offices on Miller Street.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/recordjournal/article/meriden-competing-senior-center-plans-public-20227634.php

Up to $51 billion in federal funds that have been awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation but not yet obligated could be defunded, according to a March 14 analysis by Transportation for America, a transportation advocacy organization. The organization analyzed a leaked policy memo from the DOT’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy directing agency heads to review all awards lacking grant agreements and partially obligated grant agreements. Examples of programs that could be impacted include the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program: just $515 million has been obligated across 979 grants, leaving nearly $2.4 billion at risk. Of the $7.6 billion announced under the RAISE/BUILD program, which provides grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects for fiscal years 2022 through 2025, only $1.25 billion or less has been secured and obligated, according to Transportation for America.

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/transportation-grants-at-risk-dot-trump/742710/

About four years after heavy earthmoving started, developers unveiled plans to turn the construction site into Guilford Village West, a large-scale 162-unit apartment project and commercial development. A public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission is set for April 2 on the new plan. The developer is 1940 Boston Post Road LLC, whose principal is Robert Sachs, owner of Cherry Hill Construction in Branford. The residential portion also includes a clubhouse, pool, tennis court, two pickleball courts and a dog park, according to plans submitted to the town and presentations to town boards. Some 12% — 20 units would be designated as affordable housing and offer rentals below market rate. The proposed development is before the Inland Wetlands Commission for septic, waste-water treatment and stormwater run-off in addition to wetlands management. A public hearing before the commission March 12 was continued to its April meeting.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/shoreline/article/guilford-apartments-retail-restaurants-planned-20220120.php

Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto today announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation has begun construction on the Dutch Point Viaduct rehabilitation project on Interstate 91 southbound in Hartford. The Dutch Point Viaduct is the 61-year-old, 1,800-foot elevated bridge structure on I-91 southbound between the area of the Connecticut Convention Center and the Colt Armory. It includes ramps to and from the Whitehead Highway, connecting I-91 to downtown Hartford. The purpose of the project is to upgrade the structural elements of the bridge to current safety standards. Improvements include the replacement of the viaduct’s bridge deck, drainage system, and installation of new barrier walls and highways lights, among other structural enhancements. Upon completion in fall 2026, the reconstruction project will improve safety for motorists, increase the viaduct’s load-carrying capacity, and extend the viaduct’s service life until it is replaced as part of the Greater Hartford Mobility Program. The $91.85 million project is funded by a mix of 90% federal funds and 10% state funds. The funds are sourced from various federal programs, including those dedicated to highway and bridge maintenance and improvement.

https://portal.ct.gov/dot/ctdot-press-releases/2025/ctdot-announces-start-of-the-dutch-point-viaduct-rehabilitation-project?language=en_US

First Selectman Bill Gerber announced [on Thursday] that the Town of Fairfield will begin a long-planned replacement of the East Trunk sewer line in May 2025 with an expected project duration of approximately 18 months. Aging sewer lines will be replaced to improve the reliability and efficiency of the Town’s wastewater system, reduce maintenance cost, prevent future disruptions and support development in the Town by providing necessary infrastructure for growth. “This Capital project is estimated at a total cost of $30.8 million, with $13.5 million funded by the Town, $13.5 million funded by the Water Pollution Control Authority, and the final $3.8 million funded through a state grant. This is a long-deferred but critical improvement to the Town wastewater system,” said Gerber. All residents are invited to attend one of the public information sessions, scheduled for March 20 and March 25.

https://patch.com/connecticut/fairfield/fairfield-begin-east-trunk-sewer-line-replacement-may

The city will bond some $15 million, with proposed projects ranging from roadwork, building maintenance, new vehicles and esports arenas in both high schools. In all, the aldermen approved $2.2 million for design and construction of sanitary sewers and wastewater facilities; $7.7 million for various public improvements, and $4.95 million for the school district. The school money will cover $1.65 million for partial replacement of the Orchard Hills Elementary School roof and $2.2 million in various maintenance work at the schools. Milford’s esports has grown from a club to a full-fledged CIAC-sanctioned sport, “serving a unique population of students who might not be interested in traditional high school sports but thrive in this competitive environment,” Glennon said. The $7.7 million for city bonding will cover the purchase of four sanitation collection trucks ($1.98 million), a new fire truck ($1.98 million), $1.1 million for various building maintenance work and $1.1 million for completing the fiberoptic conversion project.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/milford-15m-bonds-esports-roadwork-buildings-20220221.php

A development firm has closed on the acquisition of a site next to UConn’s Storrs campus where it plans to build a 738-bed student housing property. Landmark Properties says it will begin construction on the 1.56 acre site at 134 North Eagleville Road later this year. The site, which has previously been proposed as the location for a different student housing development, is within walking distance of UConn’s academic buildings, student center and athletic complexes. The new plans, which Landmark is calling The Mark Mansfield, will also include 7,000 square feet of retail space for the Huskies Tavern, currently located on the site. This is Landmark Properties’ second property in the Storrs market. The Standard at Four Corners is scheduled to be completed in fall 2025.

Developer buys 1.56-acre site near UConn’s Storrs campus for large-scale, 738-bed student housing project

The USS District of Columbia will be among the most expensive ships in U.S. history, when the nuclear submarine launches years from now into the Thames River at a projected cost of $16 billion, at last report. The South Yard assembly building at General Dynamics Electric Boat — dubbed Building 600 — has been assigned an appraised value of nearly $640 million for the October 2023 grand list, according to the town of Groton’s tax assessor. That increases the value of the 75-acre shipyard campus by roughly 60% on paper, to more than $1.6 billion. General Dynamics built the “shed” facility for assembly of the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, which the U.S. Navy plans to phase in as the replacement for its existing, Ohio-class subs nearing the end of their planned lifecycles. As construction in Groton ramped up between 2019 and 2020, the company reported a $155 million increase in capital expenditures supporting its marine systems segment, which includes Electric Boat and shipyards in Maine and California. Including development costs, the total program is currently projected to cost $130 billion. Once complete, the South Yard assembly building at Electric Boat would likely take on assembly work for a planned attack submarine fleet that, over time, would replace today’s Virginia-class subs.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/business/article/ct-groton-electric-boat-valuation-20216965.php

V20 Group of Darien, the new owner of 6.9 acres at the industrial site, met with neighbors on March 4. On March 11 the Stamford Planning Board unanimously approved V20 Group’s application to consolidate three parcels, knock down six buildings, and put up a 112,800-square-foot, single-story warehouse. Things are moving fast. Joe Vaccaro, who runs V20 Group with his father, John Vaccaro, told neighbors in a letter that demolition at the site is underway, set to be finished by the end of March. Bill Hennessey, the land use attorney who represented V20 Group before the Planning Board, said that in the Stamford area there is “high demand for flex-industrial buildings … that are adaptable to different uses,” such as light manufacturing, shipping, or fitness facilities. He anticipates multiple tenants, similar to what V20 Group developed on West Avenue in Stamford, Hennessey told the Planning Board. That warehouse is fully leased, with two main tenants. One is window company Renewable by Anderson, which has space for light assembly, a showroom and offices, Hennessey said. The other main tenant is a sports training facility, he said.

Warehouse Plans Spark Fears in Glenbrook Neighborhood

The city is seeking $6.9 million in state grants for environmental cleanup at the historic Yankee Pedlar Inn and at former industrial sites around town. Glenn Carbone, operations manager for Torrington Company site owner IRG Realty Advisors — and the mayor’s brother — said taking down two more buildings at the 70 North St. property will help ready it for possible redevelopment. He said the company has had discussions about putting a fuel cell that could power the property and construct buildings for innovative manufacturing. Preliminary sketches indicate the possibility of putting in two or three manufacturing buildings, plus a fuel cell, he said. The $600,000 would also cover the cost of securing contaminants and facilitate ground and soil remediation to remove and cap contamination revealed after the buildings are razed, Lopez said. Last October, the city applied for a $24 million grant to develop state-of-the-art facilities on the site and to expand Dymax at 318 Industrial Lane.

https://www.ctinsider.com/waterbury/article/torrington-brownfield-grants-yankee-pedlar-inn-20221262.php