SEYMOUR — U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro was in town on Tuesday to celebrate $3 million in federal cash that will be used to build a road between Route 67 and Route 42 in Beacon Falls.
The road will open up a major development opportunity for Tom Haynes, of Haynes Construction, LLC, who, according to Seymour officials, wants to develop land behind the Seymour Stop & Shop into a multi-use development, similar to what Haynes did with Quarry Rock on Route 67 in nearby Oxford.
Seymour town officials have been trying to get the access road off the ground for 20 years, seeing it as a major economic development project next to Route 8 and the Waterbury branch of Metro-North Railroad. Hayes’ land totals some 220 acres.
“Tom Haynes of Haynes Construction, LLC and the Towns of Seymour and Beacon Falls will work collaboratively to bring retail, residential (both workforce and market rate) housing, medical buildings, restaurants, and a life, work, and play environment similar to Quarry Walk in Oxford to this parcel of land which connects the neighboring towns,” according to a prepared statement posted to the Town of Seymour’s Facebook page.
The money for the access road to open up the land for future development was first announced by Rep. DeLauro’s office in December 2022.
Drugonis said Seymour also has plans to extend its river walk into the land.
“I am very grateful to Congresswoman DeLauro for recognizing the importance of this project. Once again, I will work with the Office of Economic Development, (state) Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, and the entire state delegation to secure the necessary state funds to complete this road and to construct a riverwalk trail connecting Seymour to Beacon Falls,” Drugonis said.
DeLauro said the project will combat a housing crisis in Connecticut.
“It’s about creating jobs, and it’s about creating market rate and affordable housing,” DeLauro said at a press conference Tuesday in Seymour Town Hall.
Click the play button above to watch the entire press conference.
