SOUTHINGTON - Legislation that could jump start the long-planned renovation of the former Ideal Forge factory site on High Street is moving swiftly through the state House of Representatives.
The proposed law would allow developers to form a special taxing district that could issue bonds to pay for environmental clean-up of the property. The legislation for what's called the Greenway Commons Taxing District is now ready to be scheduled for a vote by the full house, according to state documents.
Howard Schlesinger, a partner with Meridian Development of New York City, said today the project is re-energized and his company is very active and still involved in the plans to renovate the 14-acre site in downtown Southington.
"We're talking with quite a few people - actual users and those interested," Schlesinger said. He also plans to meet with state legislators next week. "I'll come to Connecticut to have six or seven meetings on relevant opportunities," Schlesinger added.
The bill received unanimous approval from the Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding last week and was also unanimously approved by the Planning and Development Committee in early March.
A similar bill approved last year by the House and Senate was vetoed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell because she said amendments added to the legislation also added costs to the proposed law.