The proposed developer of a downtown Hartford baseball stadium has acquired a North Haven construction firm.
Centerplan Construction Co. in Middletown bought the assets of Earth Technology Inc. at 250 Sackett Point Road for undisclosed terms.
In 2011, a federal jury cleared Earth Technology and its former owner, Frank Ruocco Jr., of charges that he and an associate illegally drove up the cost of a soil excavation job at a New York shopping mall, according to the Hartford Courant.
A 2012 civil lawsuit against Ruocco in New York filed by the developer that built the mall, located in Queens, remains open, according to court records.
Centerplan Chairman Robert A. Landino said Monday that Centerplan was aware of Earth Technology’s legal issues, adding the acquisition covered only the company assets.
The deal makes Centerplan one of this state’s largest contractors, he said. The purchase covers all construction equipment, vehicles and real estate, and includes the formation of a new entity, Center Earth LLC.
Center Earth LLC will offer site and concrete construction services throughout southern New England, and significantly expands the family of services currently offered by Centerplan Construction Company.
Engineer Michael J. Lombardi is Center Earth’s CEO, with Centerplan executive Daniel Rossi serving as president and responsible for daily operations.
Landino and Centerplan are behind an ambitious development proposal to convert acreage on downtown Hartford’s northern edge into a $350 million mixed-use development of housing, offices, retail and a new stadium to house the New Britain Rock Cats minor-league ballclub.
