The state’s bond commission is expected to release $800,000 Friday that will be used to build an access road that will lead to the development of land behind BJ’s Wholesale on Division Street.
Funding for the road and its associated utilities is coming from several state and federal grants awarded during the past four years.
The road will stretch, roughly, from the area behind BJ’s Wholesale to an area near the Derby train station. The 27-acre property is referred to locally as the former Department of Transportation property.
The city has three Valley businesses interested in moving into the property, said Sheila O’Malley, Derby’s Director of Economic Development. Those businesses have yet to be named, but they include office space, manufacturing and indoor recreation.
“The road has to get in first and all the infrastructure. It’s fair to say we have people who are eager to come into the parcel,” O’Malley said.
At a press conference Tuesday morning, Mayor Anthony Staffieri showed a conceptual design plan prepared by DeCarlo and Doll, Inc., of Meriden.
It showed five buildings — ranging in size from 6,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet — a large retention pond and landscaping meant to buffer the development from the nearby Derby Greenway (also referred to as the Riverwalk).
The conceptual plan showed slightly more than 400 parking spaces.
However, the drawing was meant as example — not to show precisely what will be built.
In addition, the drawings showed pathways snaking through the property which may connect to the nearby Derby Greenway.
The property could be used for “business incubators,” officials said.
Business incubators, often partially funded through state grants, are programs designed to help new businesses grow. The businesses often share space inside the same building.
More information on business incubators can be found here and here.
One thing that won’t be coming to the yet-to-be-officially named commerce park: Big box stores.
“You’re not looking for big-box warehouse types because, it doesn’t produce the kind of taxes the mayor is interested in and it doesn’t produce the number of jobs, total,” said Peter Burns, vice-president of DeCarlo and Doll.
City officials touted the project because undeveloped land is hard to come by in Derby. The project is expected to generate about 200 jobs.
“That’s a great help, considering the economy these days,” Staffieri said.
Construction on the road is expected to start within the next few months.
William Korolyshun, who owns property next to the 27-acre parcel owned by the town, is also planning to construct a building on his property, Staffieri said.
