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14 Hartford Business Journal • April 30, 2018 • www.HartfordBusiness.com By Gregory Seay gseay@HartfordBusiness.com F armington is on the cusp of another growth spurt, one where new development of apartments, condos, senior- living spaces and medical offices predominate. The affluent, suburban enclave sev- en miles west of downtown Hartford has about 25,000 souls who lay heads there at night, but its daytime popula- tion swells to 32,000 — the result of commuters who arrive daily to work at UConn Health, Jackson Laboratory, Carrier, Otis Elevator and Stanley Black & Decker. With a name derived from its once lush farmland and a history of biv- ouacking Colonial and French troops during the Revolutionary War, Farm- ington today is highly regarded for its diversity of employment in manu- facturing, health services/medical research; its many recreation options; and its quality schools despite pos- sessing one of the lowest property-tax rates in the state, at 26.68 mills. The latter is courtesy of a large com- mercial tax base, achieved with the foresight of town leaders who more than a generation ago created an in- dustrial park to house commercial em- ployers, to shoulder the property-tax burden. Farmington does not offer tax or other incentives to lure companies. "Our philosophy is that our econom- ic incentives are our low taxes,'' said Town Manager Kathy Eagen. Those elements have combined to reignite a fresh wave of planning and construction, says Rose Ponte, the town's economic-development chief and other town leaders. But with nearly all of Farmington's developable acreage built out and homebuilding slowing, Town Planner William War- ner says the focus now is to allow com- mercial developers, in certain areas, to pack more structures onto a lot. Among projects underway or planned is a 12-unit luxury condo com- munity on the former Chuck's Steak House site in Farmington Village, the town's historic section; an assisted- living facility with companion seniors- only apartments on Route 4, opposite Wood-n-Tap Bar & Grill; and an up- grade of the town's sewage-treatment plant. Meantime, behind the Starbucks on Route 4/Farming- ton Avenue, New- ington landlord Reno Properties Group is eye- ing the site of a historic home to erect apartments, Ponte said. "Rentals are so in demand right now,'' she said. More recently, a West Hartford church put up for sale an undevel- oped 18.5-acre tract on Farmington Ave- nue, opposite UConn Health and Jackson Laboratory. With barely 8 percent of the town's developable land left, Farmington Avenue Baptist Church's parcel could draw a high price tag, observers say. Jackson Lab's arrival in Oct. 2014 ex- posed a need in Farmington for more apartments — particularly smaller, affordable units — to shelter young scientists and other professionals. Robert Wienner, developer of West Hartford's successful Blue Back Square residential-retail-office development, is eyeing a makeover of a ⅓-acre strip fronting Farmington Avenue/Route 4, in the Farmington Village district. There, Wienner subdivided the tract, keeping the Farmington Avenue front- age and selling the rear portion that once held Chuck's to Tolland builder/ developer PAC Group LLC. PAC is finishing The Pennington, a 12-unit luxury condo community overlooking Growth Spurt Farmington is on the cusp of another development wave with the construction of apartments, condos and medical offices Farmington Economic Development Director Rose Ponte is flanked by two public-private development projects finishing up in the town's historic Village section. Behind her, the state is close to wrapping its $12 million makeover of the congested Route 4-Farmington Avenue/Route 10 and Main Street/ Waterville Road interchange. Over her left shoulder, Torrington developer PAC Group LLC is finishing its 12-unit luxury condominium development on the site of former Chuck's Steak House. HBJ PHOTO | BILL MORGAN Farmington's 2017 Grand List Gross Assessment Exemptions Net Assessment Real Estate $3,195,559,630 $1,760,250 $3,193,799,380 Personal Property $299,114,000 $70,332,401 $228,781,599 Motor Vehicles $233,832,975 $1,037,490 $232,795,485 Totals $3,728,506,605 $73,130,141 $3,655,376,464 Source: Farmington Town Assessor's Office Connecticut Children's Medical Center has a state-of-the art surgery center in Farmington. PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED