U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, pictured here in a photo from her Facebook page, is seeking $10 million to build a new road from Seymour to Beacon Falls that could help leverage millions in private investment.
SEYMOUR – Seymour and Beacon Falls could benefit from $10 million in federal funds to build a road and the accompanying infrastructure that will provide access into 223 acres behind Stop & Shop on Franklin Street.
The land is owned by The Haynes Group which, in addition to operating Haynes Outdoor Living on Derby Avenue, successfully developed the $70 million Quarry Walk, a mix of businesses and hundreds of residences on Route 67 in Oxford.
Haynes has long-term plans to bring a similar development to its land in Seymour, according to Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis.
The Haynes Group wants to build a 300,000-square foot mixed-use project that would include retail, restaurants, medical space, and some 200-market rate apartments, Drugonis said.
The Valley Indy was unable to confirm those specifics with The Haynes Group this week, but a company spokeswoman did confirm that the company is planning to invest $100 million into the Seymour project.
But before any of that can happen: the feds have to approve $10 million to build a 2‑mile road that will connect Route 67 in Seymour to Route 42 in Beacon Falls – along with the installation of public utilities, which include water, sewer, storm water, electrical, broadband and fiber optic cable.
The path toward approval started Wednesday (May 18), when U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro announced the $10 million road project was one of 15 projects she was submitting as part of the “Community Project Funding” program for fiscal year 2023.
The “Community Project Funding” program falls under the House Appropriations Committee, the powerful committee that sets federal spending – of which DeLauro is chair.
The money could be formally approved in July, according to Lou Mangini, a member of the Congresswoman’s senior staff.
Seymour’s government, eager for a boost to its non-residential tax base, has been looking forward to the development of the Haynes property for years.
Selectwoman Drugonis sees the road project as the potential kickstart to a major economic development project in town.
“I’m so excited; this is the shot in the arm that Seymour needs to get things going,” Drugonis said. “This federal grant is the first step in what will be a transformative project for our communities and for the Valley.”
Drugonis said the road project itself is expected to create more than 400 new jobs in the Valley.
Seymour’s Economic Development Consultant Sheila O’Malley said the Haynes project has the potential to be like Quarry Walk in Oxford – but with more land.
“It’s a site that holds magnificent potential for Seymour, Beacon Falls and the entire Valley, and would be a real economic generator,” O’Malley said.
Also included on DeLauro’s list of projects is $2.9 million to be used in the City of Ansonia.
The money, if approved, would be used to remove contaminated materials within the former SHW Casting Company downtown, and demolish the remaining structure.
Local and state officials have been chipping away at Ansonia’s old, contaminated factories to bring new life to its downtown.
“The Valley can always count on Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro to deliver,” Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti said in a prepared statement released by DeLauro’s office.
“This important parcel known as the SHW site is the gateway to Ansonia Copper and Brass. This funding will clear the path towards future development of both parcels — a combined 60 acres. We are crippled in Ansonia by these contaminated and dilapidated buildings. This critical appropriation for demolition from Congresswoman DeLauro will bring us one step closer to putting this parcel back to productive reuse.”
DeLauro, as chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said she brought back Community Project Funding (earmarked funding for legislators) last year for the first time in 10 years.
The program is needed “because our communities have needs that the federal government must be responsive to,” she said in a press release.
Click here for the complete list of projects DeLauro is supporting.
