A Trumbull commercial real estate developer is exploring a redevelopment of two adjacent properties in Simsbury.
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A Trumbull commercial real estate developer is exploring a redevelopment of two adjacent properties in Simsbury that would replace an aging office building with 11 townhomes while renovating an existing Liberty Bank branch.
A concept redevelopment plan prepared by Philip Doyle, of Simsbury-based land planning and landscape architecture firm LADA P.C., outlines the proposed redevelopment of properties at 981 and 987 Hopmeadow St. The properties are owned by 981 Hopmeadow LLC, an entity controlled by Trumbull commercial real estate developer Philip L. DiGennaro, according to state business records.
According to Doyle, the concept calls for renovating the existing 5,000-square-foot Liberty Bank branch at 981 Hopmeadow St. and reducing the bank's footprint to about 2,500 square feet, allowing the remaining space to be leased to another office tenant. Doyle wrote that Liberty Bank wants to remain at the site but requires less space because of changes in banking operations.
The plan also calls for demolishing a partially occupied 3,900-square-foot office building at 987 Hopmeadow St. and replacing it with 11 townhomes. Doyle said the roughly 1800-era building has become difficult to lease because of its small rooms, lack of elevator access and high maintenance costs, making it an economic liability.
Concept plans show the two-and-a-half-story townhomes would be designed to complement surrounding buildings in the town's Simsbury Center zoning district, with front porches, dedicated parking and new pedestrian connections. Doyle said the owner is seeking informal feedback from the town before deciding whether to submit a formal site plan application.
