By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
The city is permanently closing and abandoning Water Street on April 27 in preparation for the demolition phase of The Haven luxury outlet center.
Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said the project developer is setting up detour signs and digital sign markers in the area of Elm and Main streets to give motorists ample notice of the road closure and traffic change.
The Water Street closure and abandonment is expected to pave the way for the demolition of several existing commercial buildings as part of The Haven South Municipal Development Plan.
Rossi said executives of The Haven Development Co. have updated city, police and fire officials and utility providers on the $200 million, 261,182-square-foot waterfront development.
The development company is led by John P. Dionis, the vice president of development for Simon Premium Outlets, based in Morristown, New Jersey, and Matt Armstrong, the executive vice president of The Haven Group LLC, based in Dallas.
The developer’s demolition plans for “Demolition Area ‘A’” of The Haven South were reviewed by Rossi, Planning and Development Commissioner Fred A. Messore, and representatives of the Regional Water Authority, Southern Connecticut Gas and United Illuminating. The area is composed of 55 properties bounded by First Avenue, Elm Street, Water Street, Center Street, Richards Place, Main Street and Bayview Place.
The plans were prepared by the Benesch design firm of Glastonbury.
The Haven’s demolition phase is expected to begin shortly after April 27 with the environmental remediation of some commercial structures, followed by the acquisition of demolition permits for each property, officials said.
When completed, The Haven will encompass 26 waterfront acres featuring dozens of luxury retail shops, restaurants and a promenade. The project is expected to generate between 800 and 1,200 jobs and several million dollars in municipal tax revenue and fees, officials said.