Aldermen gave final approval Monday to a zoning change that will make way for the long-awaited redevelopment of the West Rock housing projects.
By a unanimous vote at their full board meeting, aldermen approved a zoning map amendment establishing a planned development district for a massive redo of the Brookside and Rockview housing complexes in the West Rock neighborhood. (Click here for the latest story on the redo.)
The $173 million project will bring 357 rental units, 38 owner-occupied homes and 38 elderly housing units, said East Rock Alderman Roland Lemar. He said he looks forward to having the new projects connected to Hamden. Historically, the projects have been shut off from the neighboring town by a large fence.
In other news, an aldermanic vote cleared the way for the $5.7 million renovation of the Little Theater at 1 Lincoln St. to start in March.
Aldermen approved easements for ACES (Area Cooperative Educational Services) while it revamps its Little Theater. ACES will keep construction vehicles on Lincoln Way, the cut-through from Lincoln Street to Audubon Street, but will maintain pedestrian access at all times, according to one agreement.
Tiffany L. Stevens, a Hartford lawyer representing ACES, said the project will go out to bid in early January, with construction expected to start in March or April. The theater’s expansion should be completed within a year, she said.