June 29, 2011
REP. HADDAD SAYS STORRS CENTER WILL
ENHANCE COMMUNITY FEEL FOR MANSFIELD
Groundbreaking kicks-off development adjacent to UConn campus
State Representative Gregory Haddad (D-Mansfield, Chaplin), Vice-chair of the General Assembly’s Commerce Committee, touted the planned Storrs Center downtown development project next to the UConn campus as a major quality of life enhancement for the entire Mansfield community during a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday afternoon.
“Today we begin re-making the heart of our community into a vibrant, pedestrian friendly town center that will be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike,” Haddad said. “This vision is a culmination of a decade long cooperative effort between the town of Mansfield, residents, the university and our business community.”
Haddad was joined at the event by Governor Dannel Malloy, Congressman Joe Courtney, state Senate President Donald E. Williams Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and other state, local and university officials as well as members of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership and project developers.
“The creation of Storrs Center will grow jobs and improve the quality of life for people in Mansfield – and it’s the result of years of hard work and teamwork,” Williams said. “Together we built the first parking garage, worked with local leaders, and listened to community members. I’m proud to stand here with my colleagues as we strengthen Mansfield’s economy and add to its charm.”
About 70,000 square feet of street level retail space with 290 rental apartment units above are planned for the project’s first phases which are scheduled to be completed in 2013. Storrs Center will run along Route 195 across from UConn’s School of Fine Arts building and E.O. Smith High School as well as down Dog Lane.
“Over the next two years a wonderful and carefully planned mix of restaurants, shops, housing and town square will take shape,” Haddad said. “With the close access to all the great cultural and athletic events at UConn, Storrs Center will be a very popular gathering place.”
Upon completion of Storrs Center, almost 800 jobs are expected to be created. Last month, Haddad announced plans by the state to build a world-class research and technology business park on the UConn campus in Storrs that is expected to create thousands of high-quality jobs and generate tens of millions of dollars in federal and private investment.