Engine Plant draws one bid-Hellooo Johnny!

Harkins continues to call for dividing the property, saying it will expedite redevelopment. He calls for the Army to pay the cost of remediation. Gabriele said Hartmann would coordinate efforts with the Department of Defense and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. “Essentially we realize that we need to do a thorough cleanup of the site,” he said. “It’s such a monster project that we really need to coordinate with the DOD.” He said government agencies agree.

What the cleanup will cost remains a question, Gabriele said. “We can’t budget specifics until we get in the trenches with the DEP,” he added. Hartmann has put up the money required to submit a bid, but no specifics on remediation. “How are we going to deploy $10 million to $50 million if we don’t know what the number is?” Gabriele asked. “It costs us money to raise money. I need to be able to go to an investor and say, ‘I need $50 million because …’” The buyer must pay the government a percentage of the cost by certain deadlines, Gabriele said. “It basically sets you up for failure,” he said. “What we’ve said all along is let’s have a meeting, iron out the details and move forward.” While only one bid was submitted to the federal government, Harkins said his office has a number of letters of interest from developers and businesses wishing to move to Stratford or expand operations at the SAEP site, and he stands ready to inject the local economy with badly needed economic activity and jobs.

Gabriele said redevelopment and job creation is being held up by politics. “We’re looking to create 8,000 jobs,” Gabriele said. “We’re at a point in this country, particularly in the state of Connecticut, where everybody has got to forget what colors they’re wearing, become bipartisan and do what’s best for our country at large.”

[THE GENUINEPHYLLIS]

WTH??? Seems like Mayor Harkins has an "agenda" of his own? His not jumping on this is mighty suspicious!! Hey Johnny get moving..We are paying what? 3.2 million a year for that empty bldg with our tax $$ when we FINALLY have a viable buyer. A person with $$$, a great plan which would enhance our town, create jobs, bring in revenue and you balk?
Makes all who are aware of this great opportunity wonder-WHY???WHY NOT???

[THE GENUINEPHYLLIS]

Gabriele said redevelopment and job creation is being held up by politics.“We’re looking to create 8,000 jobs,” Gabriele said.“We’re at a point in this country, particularly in the state of Connecticut, where everybody has got to forget what colors they’re wearing, become bipartisan and do what’s best for our country at large.”
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Here we go again..a town with a mayoral system still small minded...Bout time the ol' boys club in Stratford forget about those colors and get over it..LET's DO WHAT'S BEST FOR STRATFORD & IT'S TAXPAYERS/RESIDENTS instead of the SOS CO-NNECTED what's in it for me people....
GO HARTMANN GO!!