The first major plan of development, which includes 125 luxury apartments known as Sullivan Avenue Plaza, has been filed for the Geissler’s supermarket area in South Windsor and if approved could bring $601,238 in additional tax revenue to the town, officials say.
The Planning and Zoning Commission will consider the proposal and a request for a zone change from commercial to mixed-use development on April 13.
Along with the apartments, the $30 million project includes renovation of 60,740 square feet of commercial space at the nearly deserted plaza where Geissler’s supermarket is located at 959 Sullivan Ave. to make room for restaurants, a coffee shop, a salon, or a brew pub, said Greg Nanni, general manager of Prospect Enterprises, the management and development agent for the plaza owner.
In January 2020, the PZC voted 5-2 to add language to zoning regulations clearing the way for Design Professionals representing REESG Newco South Windsor LLC to submit the project to the PZC.
This was the first of three steps to approve the project. If the PZC approves the zone change and the developer’s plan of development, the final step would include bringing forward a site plan for approval.
“We are really looking forward to a mixed-use development, which creates synergy between the residential and apartment uses where one helps to invigorate the other,” Nanni said. “It will bring a lot of economic vitality to the area of Sullivan Avenue and hopefully will serve as an impetus for renovations of other development projects in the area of town.”
The existing Hot Leathers store at the end of the plaza would be demolished to make way for the construction of four three-story buildings to house the 125 apartments which include the following: 17 studios, 66 one-bedroom, and 42 two-bedroom units.
Regulations require that 10% of those units are affordable, which REESG Newco intends to meet and provide information at the site plan stage, according to Town Planner Michele Lipe’s report on the project.
The proposed plan also includes renovating the former gas station at the northwest corner of the site and converting it into a convenience store.
Mayor Andrew Paterna said the proposed development at Geissler’s Plaza would bring “new life to an area that has needed some help for a long time.”
Paterna said he hopes the project would also help stimulate economic development in the Sullivan Avenue business zone.
“This project will be a welcome addition to South Windsor,” he said.
Town Manager Michael Maniscalco agreed.
“The redevelopment of Geissler’s Plaza is an important first step for the Sullivan Avenue trade zone,” he said. “Our hope is that this is the first of many investments in that part of town.”
A fiscal analysis of the plan prepared by Donald J. Poland of Goman and York, the developer’s planning and design firm, found that the proposed mixed-use development wouild have a positive impact on area property values.
The analysis also said the development would create 101 construction and 20 permanent jobs.
Kwesi Brown of SLR International Corporation conducted a traffic analysis of the area, which found that it would be able to accommodate traffic that would be generated by the proposed development.
Deputy Mayor Elizabeth Pendleton said the proposed development is a “beautiful and welcome addition” that is going to fit a need. She also emphasized it is critical to support family-owned businesses such as Geissler’s.
