Developer Glenn Russo, of Landmark Development, approached the Economic Development Committee Monday with a plea to allow the mayor to create a joint initiative agreement in an effort which would allow Russo's development company to buy the Aetna property and building off of Industrial Park Road.Russo, who made his presentation without any visual aids, or documentation, said that his development company would like to purchase the building, renovate, rework and reposition the building as offices for lease. He pointed to his successful purchase and renovation of the old Xerox building on Long Hill Road as an example of the success his company has had in such endeavors. Russo asked that a resolution be brought before the Common Council at its December meeting to avoid demolition of the Aetna structure.
In a motion which was designed to allow the mayor to negotiate, but would attempt to force him to return with negotiated plans to the EDC, committee member Bob Santangelo supported the plan. But the motion failed after committee members David Bauer and Vinnie Loffredo voted against the motion.
The motion was rejected, without prejudice, meaning that the committee would welcome Russo back with a plan and more information about potential negotiations. Committee members indicated that they would consider a special meeting if such a presentation could be assembled.
In other matters, the committee discussed the relocation of the planned parking garage from its current planned location on Dingwall Drive to the Melilli Plaza.
City planner Bill Warner indicated that he had information that the garage would have to be built adjacent to Washington Street because infrastructure conduit, fiber optic cable and other cable laid during reconstruction of the Melilli Parking Plaza, would have to be disturbed and relocated to build anywhere else on the site. The current reconstruction has cost the city $1 million.
EDC chair Gerry Daley indicated that it was premature for the EDC to discuss the matter without review of the 2008 parking report, and a new parking plan being conducted by the city's Parking Department.
I find the idea interesting, but coming from this particular developer, I'm not interested. I've just seen this developer do lousy projects in Middletown, in my opinion. Example is the project located at the Route 9 on ramp off of Randolph Road; my opinion is that is a very low quality project. I'm also not impressed with his methods of doing business. I think he is a bully to neighbors of his projects and a bully to the City; examples are how he handled the project on George Street (clear cutting the tree line creating huge runoff problems for the neighbors, and he did this out of sheer retaliation, and example is the number of times he has sued the City over P&Z decisions.) His rep is not a good one and it's too bad because sometimes the man has good ideas.
ReplyDeleteThe Aetna building is already slated for complete demolition. Demolition should start before the end of the year. A company has already been contracted out to complete the job.
ReplyDeleteIf the building is going to be knocked down, let him by it. I assume that is between he and Aetna. Give him the blessing and move on. The building generates millions in tax dollars. The city will be getting no tax money from a demolished building.
ReplyDeleteCorrect me if I'm wrong, but isn't the "...old Xerox building on Long Hill Road..." the one that's nearly empty if not completely empty?
ReplyDeleteWTF?council should be ashamed for turning a way a potential business with potential jobs. Again time to vote these guys OUT!
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