Road promises to boost growth

Written by Susan Hunter
Thursday, 05 November 2009 13:31

DERBY — Officials say they’re pleased that all the funding is in place to build an access road to the former state Department of Transportation site off Division Street.

The 26-acre parcel, now known as The Olde Birmingham Commerce Park, is expected to produce more than 200 new jobs and about $30 million in private investment, said Sheila O’Malley, Derby’s director of economic development.

The state Department of Economic and Community Development will grant $800,000 for the road, Gov. M. Jodi Rell said this past week.

That money will be combined with another $300,000 state grant to match a $1 million U.S. Department of Commerce grant through the Economic Development Administration. The city has spent money designing the project.

“With a road in there, we’ll increase the tax base and create new jobs,” O’Malley said. “I feel very confident we’ll have people interested in it, either as separate parcels or as one project.”

Based on the interest shown in the project, city officials envision five buildings eventually going up on the property as well as parking areas, a pond and a walkway that may connect to the Derby Greenway.

City officials have received letters of intent from three business owners, O’Malley said, for office space, manufacturing and indoor recreation.

Derby purchased the DOT property from the state for $1, O’Malley said, because it was no longer needed and considered excess property.

“We’re turning our dollar into multi-thousands of dollars,” she said. “It’s a good investment for a dollar.”

The parcel would be attractive to businesses or developers because it’s about the last piece of commercial land left in the city and is in a good location.

Building the road is the first step in developing the property. The road project will include the installation of utilities and infrastructure.

The city is awaiting federal and state approval on permits for the road, O’Malley said, and then officials will go out to bid on the project.