New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
70-unit apartment complex eyed for ‘Gateway to Derby’
Developer planning building on former Lifetouch site in downtown
DERBY — After years of speculation and negotiations, the developer of the Hawk’s Ridge luxury homes in Shelton is now planning a 70-unit apartment complex downtown.
Joseph Salemme, who with his wife operates J&L Enterprises, advised the city’s Planning and Zoning commission during its Tuesday night meeting that he will be coming before the panel soon with plans for a 70-unit apartment complex on the former Lifetouch site at 90 Main St., across from Home Depot.
“It will be mostly one bedrooms, a couple of two bedrooms and studios,” Salemme said. “Those seems to be the big market demand, according to studies.”
Salemme said the structure would have a “new modern look, rather than colonial.”
He told the commission during the virtual meeting conducted over Zoom that he looked forward to working with the city and its officials.
The site is just steps from the Metro-North railroad station, which also serves as the hub for buses heading to New Haven and Bridgeport.
Demolition of the Lifetouch structure began last month.
Ted Estwan, the commission’s chairman said he was glad to see the building coming down. “Now I want to see a shovel in the ground,” he said.
Estwan said for the past 20 years he’s been watching buildings come down, but nothing going up.
The south side of Main Street, also known as Route 34, is vacant while awaiting the state’s plan to turn the street into a four-lane highway from Home Depot to the Derby-Shelton bridge. The state also has plans to renovate the bridge.
Many consider the Lifetouch building the “Gateway to Derby.” It sits practically next to the Route 8 entrance ramp heading toward Shelton.