Growth continues in Central Connecticut

Berlin Mayor Adam Salina recently presented the Berlin Economic Development Commission's Developer of the Year Award to Geoffrey Sager and Peter Dunn of Metro Realty Group Ltd. Metro completed Orchard Ridge, a 120-unit apartment community on Webster St. and the 194-unit Stonebridge apartment community on Wethersfield Rd. Both projects are senior (55+) apartments financed by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. Also, Metro recently received approval for two affordable workforce housing projects on Deming totaling 92 units. Both projects will provide high quality rental units that will help young people stay in Berlin after they graduate from high school or college. Construction Begins on New Rite Aid Pharmacy in Cheshire Work has begun on Rite Aid's 14,700 s/f pharmacy and retail facility on Main St. In order to construct the new building, two buildings were demolished and several businesses relocated. Consignment Originals is now located in Cheshire Shopping Center on South Main St. and Main Street Café has leased space on West Main St. When completed, Rite Aid will move to its new building from its current location in Maplecroft Shopping Center. Meriden Proposes Mixed- Use Zone for 55-Plus Acre Sites Bordering Interstates Meriden's city council (Zoning Commission) is reviewing a new zoning classification for vacant sites contiguous to I-691 and I-91. If approved, the new Interstate Development District (IDD) could allow developers of the Hall Farm site on Preston Ave. to transform that property into a combination of commercial and residential uses. The zone will stimulate economic development. Design standards will create a "pedestrian-friendly" lifestyle center. The new zone can also apply to the state's 100-plus acre Undercliff Rd. property contiguous to I-691 near Westfield Shopping Town. The city hopes to negotiate with the state to gain site control. BJ's in Planning Stage in Southington Southington is currently experiencing positive developments across the spectrum this spring season. BJ's Warehouse is proposing an 111,000 s/f retail building on Spring St. Also in that area, a new 187,000 s/f indoor sports complex is before the planning board. Both businesses are planning a fall opening. Several new restaurants are opening including Fish & Chops and Namaste Indian cuisine on Queen St., and The Hearthstone Pub and Zingarella's in the downtown center of Plantsville adjacent to the Rails to Trails linear Park. These businesses will further compliment the amenities unique to our area. The First Connecticut Sonic Drive-In Restaurant Is Coming To Wallingford Wallingford is about to become home to Connecticut's first Sonic Drive-In restaurant. In February, the Mesite Family received Planning & Zoning approval to construct a 1,700 s/f Sonic restaurant on a 3.5 acre site on Rte. 5 which housed the former Yankee Silversmith Inn. The Inn was destroyed by fire in 2007 and demolished in 2008, leaving the site vacant. The Mesite family plans to construct a 5,700 s/f retail building and a two-story, 17,734 s/f office building. Sonic is the fourth largest fast-food chain in the nation. The Oklahoma-based company is known for its roller-skating carhops who take orders curbside and deliver food to customers waiting in their cars.