Berlin Turnpike communities see increase in development
It’s hard to go too far on the Berlin Turnpike these days without seeing a flurry of commercial activity.
There are no fewer than a half dozen commercial construction projects underway along both sides of the 12.17 mile road that runs from the Meriden-Berlin border all the way to Wethersfield’s boundary with Hartford.
Among the projects under-construction is a commercial plaza at 1862 Berlin Turnpike in Wethersfield that will include a Starbucks and a Wingstop restaurant. But by far, the largest project under construction along the Berlin Turnpike is Meadow Commons.
The mixed use development is nearing completion on nearly 25 acres of land formerly owned by Eversource Energy, just north of the
Pane Road intersection with the Berlin Turnpike.
The residential component of the Meadow Commons is 269 luxury apartment units in a complex called The Millyard at Meadow Commons. The first tenants are expected to move into the complex later this month, according to a spokesman for Greystar, the South Carolina-based company that is operating the complex.
Base rents at the complex will range from $1,668 to $3,741 per month, according to information on the Greystar website.
The retail component for Meadow Commons is 99,500 square feet, with 45,000 square feet of space carved out for an as yet-unannounced grocery store chain. Massachusetts-based Grossman Development, which is overseeing the retail portion of the project has already
identified some of the smaller tenants, including Sally’s Apizza and Shake Shack restaurants.
Curt Potter, the store director at Stew Leonard’s in Newington said the team there “is looking forward to Millyard at Meadow Com
mons apartment complex opening.”
“It will not only bring more residents to town, which is always a good thing for business, but it will also provide a convenient living option for those looking to be within walking distance of several retail stores, including Stew Leonard’s,” Potter said. “We are excited to welcome our new neighbors.”
Kevin Kenny, president of New Haven-based NAI Lexington Commercial, said officials in Newington have been aggressive in trying to woo new development to the community, particularly along the Berlin Turnpike. The company has 17 commercial properties in the Hartford and New Haven areas, according to its web site.
“I opened up my email the other day and it was a message from their economic development director,” Kenny said. “They are being super proactive and that lets a developer know that town officials are welcoming and open to progress.”
Not everyone who lives Newington is convinced that the opening of the apartments at Meadow Commons is a good idea, however.
Mike Karabetsos, who owns Pronto Printer in Newington, said traffic on Pane Road where the entrance to the apartment complex is located, “is going to be a nightmare.”
“Their exit is on a S curve and so there’s a limited line of site,” Karabetsos said. “I’m expecting there will quite a few accidents.”
The Millyard at Meadow Commons isn’t alone in being a luxury apartment complex in development on the Berlin Turnpike. Site work is already underway for a 70unit luxury apartment complex, The Apartments at Turnpike Ridge, that will be built behind the Acura of Berlin car dealership. John Orsini, the owner of Executive Auto Group, is behind the development, which is located behind one of his dealerships.