Construction is expected to start this winter

Construction is expected to start this winter on Georgetown Land Development Company’s $300 million redevelopment of a former wire mill complex in Redding, Connecticut, one of the largest redevelopments in the state (See December 2003 New Urban News). A charrette process helped speed approval for reuse of the blighted site —approximately 55 acres little used in recent years. Steve Soler, president of the development company, says he will create a new village, complete with a new stop for a branch line of the Metro-North Commuter Railroad. The village is to have 416 housing units, including artists’ live-work lofts; over 300,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space; a theater; and perhaps other components, such as a police substation and a fire marshal’s office. About half of the 32 red brick factory buildings will be saved. The company will also take care of pollution problems, a legacy of the old Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill.