West Hartford Developers Pitch Massive Condo/Apartment Plan

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A group of area developers are looking to transform an abandoned office building and parking lot into upscale condominiums and apartments in the center of town.

The development group, called "The Arapahoe Group" said this week it plans to apply to the Town of West Hartford and start building the project during the fourth quarter of this year, which is October, November and December.

According to the developers, the project would take about two years to finish once ground is broken.

The condo/apartment project is called "75 LaSalle and Center Park Place" and it would be located at LaSalle Road and Arapahoe Road.

According to a fact sheet provided by developers through Becca Brockway, vice president of the West Hartford-based McDowell Communications Group, which is working with the developers, the initial steps for approval will start with the West Hartford Town Council.

From there, the plan is expected to navigate the town's land-use departments and the West Hartford Plan and Zoning Commission, the goal being a groundbreaking between fall and early winter.

Multiple public hearings will likely take place with the council and PZC.

According to information provided by Brockway, the development stands to have a positive impact on the local community.

"An independent study on the economic impact of the project is currently being conducted," reads a question-and-answer handout issued by Arapahoe.

"The project will have an extraordinary and significant economic benefit to the existing merchants and businesses in the Center as well as a substantial positive impact on the town’s tax base, which helps every West Hartford taxpayer.

According to Arapahoe, the proposal will feature:

• 64 condominiums built at Center Park Place.

• 18-20 apartments built at 75 LaSalle Road.

• 75 LaSalle is four stories total with three levels of apartments on top of one level of ground floor
retail space that is approximately 3,500 square feet.

• Center Park Place, which is set back from the street, would have four levels of condominiums above three levels of parking, two of which are underground.

• The condominiums will offer a pool, private rooftop space, greenspace and a fitness room.

• Two of the three commercial buildings at the current site will be taken down. The third, 10 Arapahoe Road, will remain as a commercial building.

• A new fully landscaped public park will be located on the west end of the property, abutting the residential neighborhood. The area will be landscaped, lit and offer public seating areas.