Print

Newington Seeking To Redevelop Former National Welding Site

By Christopher Hoffman

June 11, 2012

NEWINGTON —— The long abandoned National Welding factory site could return to productive use thanks to the state's New Britain-to-Hartford busway.

With construction of the 9.4-mile, two-lane busway, now called Ctfastrak, now underway, the town is moving to redevelop the derelict property and an accompanying 4 acres that is adjacent to a planned stop on the busway, Town Manager John Salomone said.

The location along Cedar Street makes it potentially attractive to developers, Salomone said.

"We're looking to leverage the busway," Salomone said. "The town wanted to wait until the busway was finalized so when we approached the private sector, we would know what we were offering."

The town foreclosed on the plant, which made fabricated parts and structural steel, about four years ago for unpaid taxes. The 100,000-square-foot factory at 690 Cedar St., has been shuttered since 1994.

The site, near Route 9, is zoned industrial, but that could change, Salomone said. The factory building will likely be demolished, making way for anything from a new industrial facility to office space, he said. Also, because of the property's proximity to Central Connecticut State University, it could be developed for educational use, he said.

Salomone said it will be up to the council and the plan and zoning commission to decide what sort of activity the town wants on the property.

"We'll be working with the town council and the plan and zoning commission to seek requests for proposal for developers to acquire the land and buildings," he said.

He estimated that the redevelopment would take a year or two.

The site is contaminated with heavy oil and asbestos and will require a cleanup, Salomone said. He estimated it will cost about $2 million to take down the building and cleanse the property.