Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1015895
www.HartfordBusiness.com • August 20, 2018 • Hartford Business Journal 5 $200M+ Avon Village Center project advances A Rhode Island developer says construction could begin as early as Oct. 1 in Avon's center on the initial phase of a long-awaited residential, office and retail complex that when fully complete will represent an investment "north of $200 million." Carpionato Group, of Johnston, R.I., received unanimous approval July 31 from Avon's planning and zoning commission to commence with constructing the first of 11 buildings totaling about 300,000 square feet on 61 acres of Avon Village Center's 96 acres near the intersection of Albany Turnpike/Route 44 and Hopmeadow Road/Route 10. In all, town planning and zoning officials say Avon Village Center eventually will boast about 170,000 square feet of retail; 17,000 square feet of office; and approximately 114,000 square feet of residential. Carpionato Vice President Joseph Pierik said the town's approval was vital to the developer's efforts to attract potential anchor and other tenants to Avon Village Center. Report: CT student borrowers' debt rises 35% in '17 Connecticut's college graduates in 2017 had the sixth-highest average student loan debt in the U.S., according to a new report. The report by student lending marketplace LendEDU says the average debt per borrower in Connecticut was $31,643, a 35.6 percent increase vs. $23,326 in 2016. The state's average student borrower had $36,864 in debt in 2015, the nation's highest that year. Almost 58 percent of college graduates in 2017 had student debt, owing an average of over $28,000, the report said. LendEDU says the report aims to raise awareness of the nation's $1.5 trillion student loan crisis. In Connecticut, the Board of Regents for Higher Education last year approved a 4.4 percent tuition hike for the current fiscal year at each of the four state universities and a 2.5 percent increase at the 12 community colleges. Foxwoods unveils two-story brewery Foxwoods Resort Casino is getting into the craft beer craze. Foxwoods recently announced that Branford's Stony Creek Brewery, one of Connecticut's largest brewers, has opened a two-floor brewpub at the casino. The Foxwoods location is Stony Creek's second brewing site. The ground floor of the 7,100-square- foot brewery features a beer garden and a brew deck with a view into the brewhouse and the second floor has a California-themed beer and cocktail bar, a live entertainment stage and an elevated banquet table overlooking the property. The area also has several lounge areas and large video screens. A food menu has been designed to pair with Stony Creek's beer selections. PDS has been meeting the needs of the construction industry since 1965. Our dedicated team of design and construction professionals welcomes the challenge of serving its past and future customers on their most demanding projects. Powder Mill Elementary School; Woodland Elementary School | Southwick, MA PDS served in the role as General Contractor for a combined 163,484 square foot renovation to these two elementary schools. Powder Mill Elementary School was a 95,775 square foot renovation, and Woodland Elementary School was a 67,709 square foot renovation. Both projects have newly renovated laboratories, classrooms, offi ces, gymnasiums, auditoriums, media centers and cafeterias. Combined Project Size: 163,484 SF 107 Old Windsor Road, Bloomfi eld, CT 06002 (860) 242-8586 | Fax (860) 242-8587 www.pdsec.com DESIGN BUILDERS • GENERAL CONTRACTORS • CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS SPOTLIGHT ON: E PDS ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION, INC. THINK • PLAN • BUILD For more information email dee@quinncham.com, call 203-269-9891 or visit our website at www.quinncham.com Join us for the fi rst Annual Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce Manufacturing Job Fair The Offi cial Chamber for Wallingford and North Haven Saturday, September 22 | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre | 95 So Turnpike Rd, Wlfd, CT Complimentary PRESENTED BY: SPONSORS: New Haven Regional Lending Center FANTASTIC JOB OPPORTUNITIES & BENEFIT PACKAGES Stony Creek Brewery will raise its profile with its Foxwoods outpost. PHOTO | HBJ FILE A rendering of Avon Village Center, to feature retail, office and residential space. RENDERING | CONTRIBUTED