CONNECTICUT STUDIOS ANNOUNCES PLANS TO BREAK GROUND IN SOUTH WINDSOR
$71 million dollar motion picture and television production facility to bring jobs, new industry to state
SOUTH WINDSOR, CT, MARCH 26, 2010 —Connecticut Studios LLC today announced plans to break ground this spring on construction of its $71 million dollar state-of-the-art motion picture and television studio, production and post-production facility in South Windsor, CT.
On Tuesday, the project received unanimous approval from the South Windsor Planning and Zoning Commission clearing the way for construction to begin on the project located in the I-291 Gateway Zone at the intersection with Route 5. A groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place in late May or early June with construction beginning shortly thereafter.
“We invested more the $2 million during the planning and approval phase to ensure that we had a well planned and responsible project that was consistent with town and state goals for real estate and economic development. We’ve met those criteria and are now preparing to break ground this spring.” said Ralph Palumbo, chief financial officer/member, Connecticut Studios LLC. “We anticipate completing Phase I of the construction process and to begin loading our first productions into the facility by the end of the year.”
Construction of Connecticut Studios is expected to create 400-500 construction-related jobs generating approximately $6 million in new employment and sales tax revenues for the state. Once fully operational, Connecticut Studios will support approximately1650 production-related union jobs per year paying an average salary of $68,200 and generating approximately $112.5 million in additional Connecticut payroll. In addition, 54 full time studio facility jobs paying an average salary of $37,500 and generating approximately $2.4 million in payroll are anticipated.
“This project is creating good jobs and long-term economic benefits for both the town and for the state,” said Matthew B. Galligan, town manager, Town of South Windsor. “We’re proud that South Windsor will be the epicenter of a new and vibrant growth industry here in Connecticut.”
Planned facilities for Connecticut Studios include:
· Eight sound stages totaling approximately 160,000 square feet of space
· A 30,000 square-foot digital media/post-production center
· Approximately 104,000 square feet of support space and administrative offices
· Approximately 75,000 square feet of mill and storage facilities
In addition, Connecticut Studios will provide sufficient space for location shooting and includes room for expansion as the business grows. The facility will utilize renewable energy sources for power.
“We are confident that South Windsor is the right place for us to build a successful world class production and post production facility,” said Hal Katersky, Connecticut Studios LLC. “The town and the state have demonstrated that they believe in the economic benefits Connecticut Studios will bring to the state and have created an opportunity for Connecticut to become a major east coast hub for film and television production. In addition, Connecticut offers a highly skilled workforce to support the studio.”
Construction management for Connecticut Studios is being provided by dck north America. Thomas Gribbin, A.I.A., LEED AP, of Chester, CT-based Noyes Vogt Architects is the project’s lead architect and engineering services are being provided by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc and Gaskell Associates.