Spring Break
Storrs Center project seeks tenants, plans for garage
Laurie Wilber
Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: News
Developmental planning continues on the Storrs Center, a community center with restaurants, retail shops, residential and commercial space, and a parking garage, among other amenities planned for construction next to campus. Recent changes include the hiring of the real estate company Cushman & Wakefield and a publication of the center's sustainability guidelines.
In October, it was announced that LeylandAlliance, the master developer of Storrs Center, hired Cushman & Wakefield to seek prospective tenants for the development, according to the Town of Mansfield Web site. Macon Toledano, vice president of Planning and Development for LeylandAlliance, states that the real estate company has "an impressive track record for bringing high caliber tenants to mixed-use developments like Storrs Center."
Evan O'Brien, the lead broker of the Cushman & Wakefield team, is a UConn alumnus with a special connection with the University and the Town of Mansfield, according to the Town of Mansfield Web site. He hopes to bring an understanding as to what type of tenants would be most beneficial to UConn and the town. Prospective tenants should be a diverse group in order to attract a mixed populace of students and locals.
In addition to finding prospective tenants, the building of a new parking garage is also a major part of Storrs Center planning. According to Cynthia van Zelm, executive director of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, the garage initially will be owned by the Town of Mansfield. It will be accessible to patrons and tenants of Storrs Center. The plans are still going through zoning processes.
There will be 690 housing units in Storrs Center, according to van Zelm. These will include apartments, townhouses, flats and various other types of housing units that for sale or rent. The housing is aimed at attracting a diverse community of people and is not "student housing," according to van Zelm.
With the release of the project's sustainability guidelines this past August, eco-friendliness is becoming a major concern with Storrs Center developers. According to van Zelm, sustainable materials, energy efficient appliances and land conservation, among other guidelines for development, ensure that Storrs Center will not be a detriment to the environment. Rich Miller, director of the Office of Environmental Policy at UConn, said in an e-mail that the guidelines for the project are nationally recognized as a good model for sustainable design for many different kinds of development, including commercial.
The struggling economy may hurt the development of Storrs Center, according to van Zelm. With the housing market not at its best, sales may not be at their peak. However, the projected completion date for Storrs Center is still five to seven years away, which gives the housing market awhile to recover.
Further updates for Storrs Center and its progress can be found on the Town of Mansfield Web site.
In October, it was announced that LeylandAlliance, the master developer of Storrs Center, hired Cushman & Wakefield to seek prospective tenants for the development, according to the Town of Mansfield Web site. Macon Toledano, vice president of Planning and Development for LeylandAlliance, states that the real estate company has "an impressive track record for bringing high caliber tenants to mixed-use developments like Storrs Center."
Evan O'Brien, the lead broker of the Cushman & Wakefield team, is a UConn alumnus with a special connection with the University and the Town of Mansfield, according to the Town of Mansfield Web site. He hopes to bring an understanding as to what type of tenants would be most beneficial to UConn and the town. Prospective tenants should be a diverse group in order to attract a mixed populace of students and locals.
In addition to finding prospective tenants, the building of a new parking garage is also a major part of Storrs Center planning. According to Cynthia van Zelm, executive director of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, the garage initially will be owned by the Town of Mansfield. It will be accessible to patrons and tenants of Storrs Center. The plans are still going through zoning processes.
There will be 690 housing units in Storrs Center, according to van Zelm. These will include apartments, townhouses, flats and various other types of housing units that for sale or rent. The housing is aimed at attracting a diverse community of people and is not "student housing," according to van Zelm.
With the release of the project's sustainability guidelines this past August, eco-friendliness is becoming a major concern with Storrs Center developers. According to van Zelm, sustainable materials, energy efficient appliances and land conservation, among other guidelines for development, ensure that Storrs Center will not be a detriment to the environment. Rich Miller, director of the Office of Environmental Policy at UConn, said in an e-mail that the guidelines for the project are nationally recognized as a good model for sustainable design for many different kinds of development, including commercial.
The struggling economy may hurt the development of Storrs Center, according to van Zelm. With the housing market not at its best, sales may not be at their peak. However, the projected completion date for Storrs Center is still five to seven years away, which gives the housing market awhile to recover.
Further updates for Storrs Center and its progress can be found on the Town of Mansfield Web site.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Judy
posted 11/20/08 @ 12:15 PM EST
I cannot believe that the town of Mansfield is still going through with this farce. Even before the economy took a downwarn turn people in this town were up in arms over this. (Continued…)
Chris
posted 11/20/08 @ 6:32 PM EST
I think this is a good idea. I went to UCONN ten years ago and the biggest complaint around campus is the lack of things to do. Storrs is in the middle of nowhere and without a car your options are extremely limited. (Continued…)
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