Sale Complete On Empty East Hartford Cinema Site, Massive Housing Project Planned

Town of East Hartford

EAST HARTFORD, CT — An abandoned multiplex cinema site in East Hartford has been sold, with plans to redevelop the site into a new residential complex underway.

East Hartford Mayor Connor S. Martin and the Town of East Hartford said last week that the town officially closed on the sale of the former Showcase Cinemas site on Silver Lane.

The town purchased the long-vacant 25.6-acre site in February 2019 for $3.3 million under former Mayor Marcia Leclerc.

In March 2023, the East Hartford Town Council unanimously approved the sale of the parcel to developers Jasko Zelman 1 LLC., who plan to transform the property into Concourse Park.

This will be a residential community featuring more than 300 apartments and amenities such as a dog park, pool, clubhouse, co-working center, and golf simulator.

Originally scheduled to close by September 2023, the sale was delayed as the town and the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) worked to finalize safeguards for $10 million in public infrastructure investment.

Under a revised agreement, CRDA will oversee the use of public funds for utility and infrastructure improvements, while the developers are required to invest $10 million in equity and obtain certificates of occupancy for at least 300 units by April 1, 2028.

Due to additional delays, the developers were charged two months of penalties totaling $60,000.

Of that, $45,000 will be credited toward building fees, and $15,000 will be deposited into the town’s general fund.

With the land now officially transferred, the $115 million-plus project aims to return the site to the tax rolls and move toward groundbreaking.

The site has already been cleared, and more information about the vision for the project can be found at jaskogroup.com/portfolio/concourse-park.

“This marks a significant step for a project that has spanned three mayoral administrations. I’m thrilled to see continued momentum and the strong commitment from Jasko Zelman. As we prepare to go out to bid for construction, I look forward to seeing shovels in the ground by 2026," Martin said in a statement.

"This has been a marathon to get to this point, and today we pause to reflect on the importance of this land transfer. Concourse Park exemplifies the economic development renaissance underway in East Hartford — the Silver Lane corridor is on track to become a thriving commercial and residential hub for our town’s future.”

“I want to extend my sincere thanks to the East Hartford legislative delegation, Mayor Martin, and former mayors Walsh and Leclerc, the Capital Region Development Authority, our planning and zoning commission, town council, and the team at Jasko Zelman,” said East Hartford Director of Development Eileen Buckheit.

“This project has only reached this critical milestone because of the collaboration, persistence, and shared vision of all involved.”