Journal Inquirer
Kory Loucks
March 24, 2010
SOUTH WINDSOR — After almost two years of planning and deliberating, the multimillion-dollar Connecticut Studios project sailed through the Planning and Zoning Commission with unanimous approval following a public hearing Tuesday.
Town Manager Matthew B. Galligan spoke in favor of the project, saying, “It’s all about jobs. This is an opportunity to create a new industry. We’ve got to keep our local industry going. I think this is just the beginning.”
He continued, “We’ve spent two years on this project. It has been well thought out.”
Following the public hearing, the PZC voted to approve the studio site plans, allowing the project to move forward.
The project also cleared the Inland Wetlands Commission last week and the Water Pollution Control Authority on Tuesday without a hitch.
Connecticut Studios is a partnership between Pacifica Ventures LLC, based in Los Angeles, and Halden Acquisition Group LLC, based in Rhode Island.
Anthony J. Delvicario of Halden Acquisition Group said that the approval was little anticlimactic, but added that he was pleased with the outcome and excited about the future.
“You have to be determined,” Delvicario said. “Whatever it takes to get it done. … It’s a great project. … We are going to be involved in this project for a long time.”
Ralph A. Palumbo, also of Halden Acquisition Group LLC, said developers already have spent more than $1 million before breaking ground on the $50 million project, hiring engineers, architects, and construction contractors.
Town Economic Development Coordinator Craig Stevenson said the groundbreaking is anticipated to take place next month, with construction beginning in June, and the first phase of construction planned for completion by the end of the year.
“I believe this project speaks to all the goals and objective of the I-291 Gateway zone,” Stevenson said.
With the prospect of 1,630 construction jobs, the potential for 4,600 jobs after construction is completed, and $786 million in anticipated annual sales in Connecticut, Stevenson said, “We happen to be fortunate to be at the epicenter of this project.”
In addition to a 75,000-square-foot mill building, 25,000 square feet of office space, and four studios with eight sound stages on 40 acres of land, developers have added a 30,000-square-foot post-production studio to their plans.
The boon to South Windsor will be felt almost immediately, with an anticipated $660,000 in building permit fees, Stevenson said.
And even with $12 million in proposed tax incentives from South Windsor over 14 years, Stevenson projected $1.25 million in annual revenue to the town during that time, adding approximately $107 million to the grand list.
Once the incentive period is over, Stevenson estimated that revenues could increase to as much as $2.4 million annually.
A couple of residents who live on Chapel Road complained about the incessant traffic on their street, but PZC member Lavina Wilson, who lives near Chapel Road, said this project would have little impact on that.
“I feel bad for the people who live right in that area,” Wilson said, adding that the truck traffic from area distributors is particularly bad, shaking homes as they pass by.
But she added that the majority of traffic coming to and from Connecticut Studios will be using Interstate 291 and Route 5 and would have little if any impact on Chapel Road traffic.
Mayor John P. Pelkey said after the meeting, “It’s sometimes hard to believe.”
He added that Town Council members in this and the previous administration made “great contributions to make this happen.”
Galligan agreed, saying, “It’s a great day for South Windsor.”
©2010 Journal Inquirer