By Harlan Levy
Journal Inquirer
WINDSOR LOCKS — The Board of Selectmen decided Tuesday to hold a July 12 public hearing on the proposed realignment of Route 20 interchange with Route 75, which also involves a private developer’s plans to build a major mixed-use residential and commercial building project at the site next to the Ramada Inn.
In early May — after six years of stalled planning efforts and 20 years of suggestions — the state Department of Transportation agreed to a modification of the westbound exit ramp to be managed by the town and to be built in the next two years at an estimated cost of up to $4.6 million — $3.6 million of which has already been funded.
Six years ago BDL Real Estate Holdings LLC, a local group, bought two parcels totaling 17 acres at that intersection, hoping to build the complex as part of what backers call an “aerotropolis,” an economically developed, broad area around airports like Bradley International Airport.
Instead of the Route 20 exit ramp running directly to Route 75 at the stop light there, the plan calls for the ramp to curve more sharply like a horseshoe and come to a stop at a light at a new two-way access road perpendicular to and 450 feet from Route 75 — and requiring a left turn to get to Route 75. A right turn would take a driver to the mixed-use project to be located adjacent to the Ramada Inn site. The ramp will have three approach lanes: two exclusive left-turn lanes and an exclusive right-turn lane. The access road will also have three approach lanes: a combined left and through lane and two exclusive right-turn lanes to Route 75. Route 75 also would be widened to allow for a southbound left-turn lane.
To build the roadway project the town will utilize a $250,000 grant, $2.6 million in federal money, $278,000 in state highway funds, and more than $500,000 from BDL.
BDL’s transportation-oriented mixed-use development would be called “Governor’s Station,” in honor of Ella T. Grasso. It calls for a combination of 200 market-rate apartments and condominiums, one or two hotels, and three or four commercial sites for restaurants, retail, drug stores, a health club, a bank, and professional offices.
The housing component will consist of studio apartments and one- and two-bedroom units designed to cater to young single people and couples with no children, including engineers, sales people, and people who travel for their companies.
The exit reconfiguration is programmed for the 2012-13 but may be completed by the summer of 2012. The housing and commercial development would follow completion of the road project and may be done in 2013.
The selectmen’s hearing on the proposal will be held Tuesday, July 12, at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.
BDL expects to submit a site plan to the Planning and Zoning Commission late this summer or early in the fall.
In a related economic development matter, the selectmen voted Monday to take an option to apply for as much as $500,000 from the state’s $20 million Small Town Economic Assistance Program. The town qualified for the option after being designated this year a “public investment community,” allowing it to apply for not only the state funds but also federal Urban Act money. However, it has to “opt in” to the STEAP program to be eligible for both.
“That designates us as a distressed municipality, eligible for about $500,000 in capital projects that weren’t funded in the current budget,” Wawruck said.
The town will apply for funding for three projects, he said. The top priority is replacing the sidewalks on Main Street and Elm Street. The second priority is updating the Veterans Park public address system and press box. The No. 3 project is rebuilding sidewalks on South Elm Street from the high school driveway up to Harrison Street.
“I put a plea out to directors of the town departments if they have any other projects to be considered to get them to me,” Wawruck said, “but I haven’t heard anything yet.”
The town has until June 23 to submit its proposal.
No comments:
Post a Comment