Massive Housing/Commercial Project Pitched For MassMutual Site In Enfield

ENFIELD, CT — A prominent vacant parcel in Enfield appears primed for new development as the owners are seeking a zone change to pave the way for a massive redevelopment project.

The future of the former MassMutual Insurance Co. campus at 100/85 Bright Meadow Blvd., Enfield, is the topic of a special public hearing by the Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, Sept. 25.

The meeting is slated for 7 p.m.at Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield St.

In 2018, MassMutual announced it was leaving Enfield, something that was finalized in 2021 when the insurance giant left town, with jobs consolidated at the Springfield, Mass., site, which is just a quick Interstate 91 jaunt from Enfield.

Since then, the 65-acre site has sat mostly vacant, outside of a small daycare center there.

Specifically, 100 Bright Meadows Associates LLC out of Branford, which purchased the site last May, is seeking a zone change from "business regional" to "special development district."

This change would allow the applicant to then subdivide and redevelop the site into commercial and residential uses, which the applicant describes in a written narrative submitted to the town.

"100 Bright Meadows Associates purchased the site with the intention of repurposing the existing campus for residential and commercial uses," wrote Bright Meadows to the town.

Currently, the campus has three large office buildings and a parking garage on site. A small daycare occupies a small building on the site.

Bright Meadows said there are sufficient utilities already present to develop the parcel.

Should the PZC OK the zone change and, then, subsequent permit applications to develop the site, Bright Meadows has plans to build apartments, housing lots, and commercial space.

Among the details unveiled by Bright Meadows:

• Transform the three office buildings into 178 apartment units.

• Commercial space on the first floor of one of the buildings.

• Interior common areas for residents, such as a clubhouse and pool.

• Construction of a fourth building that would add 129 units of apartment space.

• Transforming the large parking lots on site into a "residential common interest community" containing 157 more units of housing.

"This project would be separated from the apartment, having its own association, common elements, and amenities," wrote Bright Meadows.

The PZC is slated to hear an in-depth presentation from the applicants, with the hearing also including public comments on the proposed rezone.

Conceivably, the commission could close the hearing once sufficient testimony is given, or it could extend the hearing to the next PZC meeting.

Once the hearing is closed, PZC members can then deliberate on the application and, eventually, decide the zone change.

For all documents related to the Bright Meadows rezone application, including the PZC agenda, click on this link.

For complete design plans on the proposed redevelopment, click on this link.

From Feb. 8, 2018: 'MassMutual Plans to Leave Enfield Campus'