Bridgeport’s Congress Street power substation can now remain operational during heavy storms thanks to a new flood protection system completed this week. United Illuminating, which operates the facility, invested $55 million to build a wall to protect the substation from flooding from the nearby Pequonnock River, a gate system to seal the perimeter and two high-power pumps. The concrete wall is 10 feet high and drives 40 feet underground, according to the utility company. “These substations are designed with lifespans of 50 to 60 years, so we need to figure in sea level rise,” he said. “By 2050, we will not only have the normal high tide, but it will be 20 inches higher.” Berman explained that the site’s geology — being a salt marsh — complicated the construction of the foundations. Additionally, building the heavy gates and calculating the wall’s tolerance to bending under the pressure of rising water contributed to the challenge. Berman also highlighted the pumping system, which can clear rainwater collected inside the walls during a storm in just minutes.

UI Completes $55M Flood Protection Project in Bridgeport

New Haven developer Choni “Johnny” Grunblatt wants to build 69 apartment units as part of a $10 million remake of Colony Street. Grunblatt is seeking to build studio apartments in five buildings alongside Railroad Avenue in what officials hope will spark more investment for the city’s transit-oriented district. The construction value of the project is $10 million. The project was discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of the City Council’s Economic Development Housing and Zoning Committee. Partner Jonathan Perlich and Grunblatt also purchased the 19th-century, mostly vacant, four-story commercial and residential building near the corner of East Main and Pratt streets for $1.75 million in November. The partnership is doing business as Seventies on Main LLC on that project. Grunblatt is the founder of Upside Construction LLC, Clarity Management LLC, Malbec Enterprises LLC and owner of Fin and Scale —Sushi and Bar.

https://www.ctinsider.com/recordjournal/article/meriden-grunblatt-colony-street-permits-19773831.php

Starved for space as annual visitors increase, the New England Air Museum plans a $25 million expansion meant to widen exhibits, boost educational offerings and add immersive experience in a digital dome, museum officials said Wednesday. The expansion depends on approval of $15 million from the state Bond Commission, which is pending. Plans call for construction of a 40,000-square-foot hangar, with aircraft and other exhibits telling the story of aviation from balloon flights through modern times and into the future, museum President and CEO Stephanie Abrams said. Once state bond money is approved, the nonprofit museum will pursue fundraising from corporations and individuals for the remaining $10 million, Abrams said. The plan is to break ground for the new hangar next year and open in 2026.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/connecticut/article/new-england-air-museum-expansion-windsor-locks-19773442.php

Construction is underway at Calf Pasture Beach Road to provide easements to a family-owned property on the northern and western portions of the peninsula. When complete, the road will be realigned with new entrances to Cove Marina and the businesses along a property owned by the Gardella family. A sidewalk will also be installed around the new skate park, along with a seat wall for skaters to enjoy. The project broke ground after Labor Day and is expected to be completed by mid-December. Altogether, the cost of the project is about $1 million for the contractors to realign the road and add the sidewalks and seat walls by the skate park.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/construction-begins-calf-pasture-beach-road-19773595.php

Residents of the Coachlight Circle neighborhood will be getting relief for long-standing water supply issues with nearly $1 million in federal funds. U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3rd District, visited Prospect Town Hall on Friday where she presented Mayor Robert J. Chatfield with $959,757 in Community Project Funding for a water main installation. The newly allocated funds for the town marks the fourth time DeLauro was able to secure funding for this section of town which includes Putting Green Lane, Straitsville Road and Cambridge Drive. This grant is the biggest one yet for the town.

https://www.rep-am.com/localnews/2024/09/16/delauro-delivers-fed-funds-for-prospect-water-mains/#google_vignette

The City Council late Monday approved nearly $6.5 million in tax breaks over 20 years to a developer planning to construct 500 new apartments on two sections of the Fort Trumbull peninsula that have sat vacant for more than two decades. The fixed tax agreement with RJ Development + Advisors, LLC, approved by a 5-2 vote, would offset about half the $13 million in estimated pre-construction costs needed to meet flood plain requirments and address remaining remediation and other sub-surface issues at the two sites. The two complexes will consist of market-rate units with none set aside as “affordable” apartments. Construction is slated to begin early next year.

https://www.theday.com/local-news/20240916/new-london-council-approves-6-5-million-in-tax-breaks-for-fort-trumbull-developer/#

The City Council on Monday agreed to start the process to permanently close and discontinue use of a 1,500-foot section of Lawler Lane to foster future development in the new Occum Industrial Center. The portion of the road extends from 185 Lawler Lane to 256 Lawler Lane. It has no development on either side, and the land on both sides already is part of the Occum Industrial Center. An unidentified developer has expressed interest in the larger development lot to be created at the eastern end of the 384-acre industrial center. NCDC has received an $11.3 million state grant to build a 7,700-foot-long industrial park access road from Route 97 through the property, ending at the Lawler Lane end.

https://www.theday.com/local-news/20240916/norwich-agrees-to-close-lawler-lane-to-assist-occum-industrial-center/#

Several residents spoke out at an informational meeting Bluewater Group, the developer of the facility, held on Sept. 10, expressing frustration with the project, saying it would encroach on their neighborhood. Many more attendees expressed frustration with the planned project. Christina Bernardin, vice president of Bluewater, said she did not have an update to share at this time on how the company would address noise concerns. Bernardin added that Bluewater would be summarizing residents’ concerns and looking into providing more information to address them at upcoming meetings. In November of last year, the Board of Aldermen unanimously approved extending the purchase and sales agreement for one year to December of this year to allow Bluewater Property Group to continue with a construction feasibility analysis.

https://www.rep-am.com/localnews/2024/09/16/residents-have-their-concerns-heard-about-amazon-plant/

Bluewater Property Group arranged for Tuesday’s public information session at Gilmartin Elementary School in Waterbury, shortly after it submitted applications for wetlands permits for its 183-acre development site straddling both communities. Bluewater representatives assured attendees they would follow local noise and light regulations and take an array of measures to mitigate impacts. The development site will be wrapped by a noise barrier fence and there will be a minimum 150-foot buffer between the development and nearby residences. Most of the 183-acre development site is owned by Waterbury. Bluewater will also seek upgrades for roadways and intersections near its development, including the widening of the offramp of a Route 8 southbound ramp to two lanes, and a “complete reconstruction” of the intersection of Sheridan Drive and South Main Street in Naugatuck.

Locals give cool reception to massive Waterbury-Naugatuck Amazon warehouse proposal

Bolstered by new research outlining the potential dangers of the project, town and state officials are engaged in an all out effort to pull the plug on plans to expand a natural gas compressor station located near many homes and just 1,900 feet from Whisconier Middle School. The expansion would result in increased emissions of and exposure of local residents to toxins, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, according tgo the study, which is called “Potential Impacts of the Expanded Iroquois Compressor Station in Brookfield, CT.” In an interview, Ruth Parkins, director of public and government relations for the expansion project at the Iroquois Pipeline Operating Co. in Shelton, said Iroquois is now awaiting approval of its air permit applications from New York and Connecticut.

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/study-brookfield-natural-gas-expansion-compressor-19730906.php