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Economic development director outlines $3.2M plan for East Elm building; council approves CIF grant application up to $960,000
Summary
The council authorized a CIF capital grant application of up to $960,000 to support a $3.2 million redevelopment of the former Vinnie's Pizza/Safari Properties building at 245 East Elm Street, a project city staff said would create a Spanish grocery, children’s indoor recreation, a 180‑seat banquet facility and small apartments and generate 25–35 jobs.
The Torrington City Council on Monday authorized the mayor to apply for a Connecticut Infastructure (CIF) capital improvement grant of up to $960,000 to support redevelopment of a 60,000‑square‑foot building at 245 East Elm Street.
William Wallach, the city’s economic development director, described a roughly $3.2 million build‑out led by the property owner, Safari Properties, that would convert the former industrial space into primarily commercial uses: a roughly 6,000‑square‑foot Spanish grocery, an indoor children’s amusement and recreation center, a 4,000‑square‑foot banquet facility designed for about 180 guests, and several small apartments or short‑stay suites tied to the banquet business. Wallach said the owner plans to finance roughly $2.2 million in equity and debt and is seeking the $960,000 grant to help cover remaining costs.
Why it matters: Staff told council members the project follows an earlier brownfield cleanup (a $1 million remediation award in 2022) and that the remaining phase to remove hazardous building materials will finish this year, letting the site qualify for redevelopment. City staff projected the redevelopment would create about 25 to 35 new jobs, a mix of full‑ and part‑time positions, and significantly increase the property’s assessed value.
Council members asked whether the project requires zoning or planning approvals and whether it depends on receiving CIF funds. Wallach said the project’s conceptual design aligns with current zoning, but a formal change of use and planning approvals will be required; he added that the grocery and banquet facilities could proceed without the grant, while the full build‑out (including apartments and the recreation center) would move faster if the grant is awarded. He said the CIF board typically reviews June applications and issues awards in mid‑September, with state bond commission action expected in December.
Parking and traffic were also raised. Wallach said engineering analysis anticipates about 94 on‑site parking spaces along the East Elm frontage, plus another 12–15 spaces behind Vinnie’s, and that the project’s mix of day‑time commercial uses and evening banquet activity should offset parking demand. The city planner said a full traffic review will be required when the project reaches Planning & Zoning.
The council amended the original CIF request upward from $950,000 to $960,000 to account for recently identified additional costs and approved the application by voice vote. The council did not make any commitments about tax abatements; staff said the property owner expects increased tax revenue and does not plan to seek abatements.
Next steps: The city will submit the CIF application on or about June 5 and await the CIF board’s review and the state bond commission’s action later in the year.
