HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM STORRS CENTER
Author: Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Inc. and LeylandAlliance LLC
01/12/2009
As we proceed into a new year of challenges and great opportunities, we feel it timely to reflect on the many positive events that have shaped the progress of Storrs Center during 2008 and to consider what lies ahead for the project. Though we have not yet broken ground, we have received almost all of the pre-construction approvals and permits, re-affirmed our commitment to sustainability, began solicitation of businesses, and been recognized statewide for “smart growth development” and the quality of Storrs Center design.
Highlights of progress made in 2008 include:
• A $10 million state Urban Action Grant was received for development of a municipal parking garage for Storrs Center.
• The Sustainability Guidelines for the project were unanimously approved by the Mansfield Downtown Partnership Board of Directors.
• Key project approvals were obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers and from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.
• A Fiscal Impact Study for Storrs Center was undertaken with projections of positive economic benefits to Mansfield.
• The “casting process,” designed to recruit the best commercial and retail tenants for Storrs Center, has begun, and noted international real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield has joined the project team to work with Live Work Learn Play on leasing and casting.
• A substantial number of prospective commercial tenants have confirmed interest in the project.
• The Connecticut Main Street Center recognized Storrs Center with its 2008 Award of Excellence for Community Consensus-Building.
• Storrs Center was cited by “1000 Friends of Connecticut” for smart growth. Criteria for this honor included maximization of existing infrastructure, compactness and land use efficiency, mix of uses, housing options, accessibility, pedestrian safety, streetscapes and parking and greenness.
• Requests for Qualifications have been issued to engineering firms for design and construction documentation services for improvements to Storrs Road. Design work is expected to begin in early 2009.
Looking ahead, we see a year filled with activities and positive benchmarks. Projected highlights include:
• We expect an approval by the State Traffic Commission for improvements to Storrs Road in early 2009. This is the final pre-construction, overall project approval required for Storrs Center. This will lead the way to the improvements to Storrs Road and to the creation of a new “main street” environment for Storrs Center and the Town of Mansfield.
• Citizens Bank has expressed their strong interest in financing the first phase of development, and we look forward to working with them on the project.
• Design work and approvals for the individual phases and buildings can get underway as we work towards a goal of getting started with project construction in late 2009.
We look forward to continued progress and to working closely with the citizens and town of Mansfield to fulfill Mansfield’s longstanding vision of a vital and exciting town center. We are extremely excited at the prospect of finally getting underway in 2009.
Thank you for your past support, and we look forward to keeping you informed throughout the year of our progress in bringing Storrs Center to fruition. You can track significant events on the websites for the Mansfield Downtown Partnership (www.mansfieldct.org) and Storrs Center (www.storrscenter.com).
Best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.
Steve J. Maun, President, LeylandAlliance LLC
Philip Lodewick, President, Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Inc.
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