The town of East Hartford has signed a memorandum of understanding with ND Acquisitions LLC regarding the company’s development at Rentschler Field, which will ultimately result in money for a new athletic complex and construction of a portion of the East Coast Greenway.
The terms of the agreement were presented at the Town Council meeting on Aug. 16. The agreement states that ND Acquisitions will pay the town $1.50 for every square foot of the development just south of Rentschler Field.
ND Acquisitions plans to construct two 100,000-square-foot high-tech manufacturing buildings and two large warehouses, for a total of more than 2 million square feet.
The amount being paid to East Hartford is projected to be around $4 million.
Both parties agree that 25% of the contribution may be allocated toward the planning, design, and construction of the East Coast Greenway project. The other 75% will go toward the construction or renovation of one or more athletic or recreational facilities.
At the Aug. 16 meeting, council member John Morrison questioned how it was determined that these two items be a part of the agreement.
Mayor Mike Walsh explained that he had a conversation with representatives of the company and they determined that these two projects were “the most worthy.” He said the sports complex was “near and dear to my heart.”
Walsh said the idea came about when he visited a sports complex in Berlin. He was impressed by the series of football and practice fields at the facility.
“There should be something else besides what we have in town, just as connective tissue,” Walsh said.
Town Council Chairman Richard Kehoe said he thinks “it’s an important piece that could really help give East Hartford residents and kids the ability to cultivate their talents.”
The idea of allocating some of the money to the East Coast Greenway project came from ND Acquisitions, Walsh said.
The final item that requires action from the council before construction can start is the request from ND Acquisitions to set the inspection and permit fee on each building that it plans to construct.
Walsh said this request could come at the next Town Council meeting Sept. 6.
