Reconfigured Exit Ramp and Mixed Use Development Proposed at Routes 20 and 75

After six years, a proposed reconfiguration of the westbound ramp from Route 20 to Route 75 in Windsor Locks is moving closer to reality.

That reality will also lead to the construction of a 17-acre mixed-use development between the Ramada Inn hotel and Route 20.

Kevin Casey, project manager for BDL Real Estate Holdings LLC, told the Windsor Locks Board of Selectmen Tuesday that his company has reached an agreement with the state Department of Transportation that moves the proposed project forward. Casey said his firm received a letter from the department saying the project is a go.

“We’ve waited a long time for this,” Casey said. “It’s been gut-wrenching.:”

Casey said the plan is at the point where it will travel two parallel tracks. One will be to follow the department of transportation’s steps and procedures for reconfiguring the exit ramp that include a public hearing during the summer and other logistical procedures, he said.

The other track is submitting concept plans about the proposed development to the town’s planning agencies including the planning and zoning commission and inland-wetlands commission. Casey said they have already spoken informally to the planning and zoning commission about what they are proposing, and have hired a wetlands expert to address any wetlands concerns the town may have.

“We expect the two parallel tracks will commence in the next six to eight weeks,” Casey said.

The exit ramp project is estimated by the state to cost about $4.6 million, officials said. But, Casey said they disagree with that estimate and believe it will cost about $3.5 million.

The project would be funded with state, local, federal and private money, First Selectman Steven N. Wawruck Jr. said, The funding includes a $2.6 million from the federal government, $278,000 from the state, $250,000 from Windsor Locks, and the developer has invested $500,000 in design costs, Wawruck said. The developer will seek other private funding as well, he added.

Under the proposal, the ramp would veer northwest from its current configuration to a road, that would require vehicles to make a left turn .north to head toward a stoplight that would allow them to make a right turn to travel north on Route 75, or a left turn to travel south.

That same road from the exit ramp would have a right turn south to the new development. The town would oversee the ramp project because the state does not work with private developers, only governmental bodies, Wawruck said. The developer will hire a state-approved consultant for daily oversight.

Casey said the development, to be named Governor’s Station in after Ella Grasso, will  have 200 market-rate apartments geared toward single or divorced professionals who need to have residences with close access to transportation. The 1 to 2 .5 bedrooms would  be priced and designed in a way that would not likely attract families, he said.

The multi-modal development could have one or two hotels plus commercial pad sites for retail businesses.

“We think it’s a great location,” Casey said. “We’re talking about corporate uses on a greater scale than we have here in Windsor Locks.”

Casey said the development would be part of a trend of creating communities around airports, or  an “aerotropolis.”

Selectmen said they are excited about the project coming closer to reality.

Selectwoman Denise Balboni said the town officials have not had proposals like this presented to them in perhaps decades.

“It’s very exciting,” Balboni said. “It’s easy to support.”

Wawruck said the project will be considered part of the gateway to Windsor Locks and will lead to traffic improvements along Rout 75.  He said it will a catalyst to other development in the area.

“We’re going to see some results from years and years of studies in that area,” Wawruck said. “We look forward to this moving forward.”