Development to bring N.Y. manufacturer to city

SHELTON — A New York-based manufacturer is one step closer to moving its headquarters to Shelton, according to developer Robert Scinto.

The Planning and Zoning Commission, at its meeting last week, approved Scinto’s plan for new construction at the corner of Waterview Drive and Constitution Boulevard, which, when finished, is expected to house an as-of-yet unnamed international manufacturing firm.

Scinto was granted approval on his request to change the already approved Planned Development District for the 11.1acre site.

The project is a modification of a 2002 approval for an eight-story, 231,000-squarefoot office building with 700 parking spaces. Those plans have since changed, Scinto said. His present proposal calls for an 80,000-square-foot building to house a Manhattan manufacturer.

Scinto declined to name the company, but said if the application was approved, the firm would generate jobs. The development could be completed in 12 to 16 months, he said.

“This will be a beautiful building, a real asset to the town,” said Scinto, owner and founder of R.D. Scinto Inc., one of the largest privately held commercial real estate corporations in the state.

In all, Scinto has 4.2 million square feet of space in 53 buildings, many of which are in Shelton. His office spaces in and out of Shelton remain 98 percent occupied.

He said he never moved ahead with the original plan for the site due to “economic conditions.

“This project represents new jobs,” he added. “The company is relocating its corporate headquarters from Manhattan to come to Shelton. This is a wonderful opportunity

for the state of Connecticut and the city of Shelton.”

Scinto said 44 percent of the new structure would be for storing the company’s products, which he says is “large equipment.” The remaining space would be used for executive office space and research and development.

Scinto said the company comes with 15 employees but plans to expand to 30 by the end of the first year. He said the company has stated it will have about 70 employees by the end of the 10-year lease.

The original plans, approved in 2002, included 700 parking spaces. This plan, with one tenant and much less square footage, has 236 spaces.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Developer Robert Scinto, Shelton's largest taxpayer, in a conference room at his offices at the Corporate Tower on One Corporate Drive.