Perhaps you’ve noticed the unusual activity at Bethel’s Dolan Plaza? Located on Greenwood Avenue at the entrance to downtown, it is undergoing a major facelift. By year-end, the two strip buildings at 211 Greenwood, one anchored by True Value and the other by Newtown Savings Bank, will have new siding, new trim, re-faced columns and all new signage for the two buildings’ 14 tenants.
“Ever since we bought the plaza from the Dolan family in 2003, our approach has been an exterior that complements the nearby streetscape,” said Bob Gleason, who owns Dolan Plaza along with Gary Michael. “This is the first total renovation of these buildings since we bought the property.”
The plaza’s third structure, the Victorian, at 213 Greenwood, dates back to 1900 and was once offices for the Dolan family fuel business. “Our $1 million restoration included a new roof, roof ornament and siding that was in keeping with the rest of the plaza’s color scheme,” said Gleason. Today it houses Molten Java, Subway, Portofino Restaurant, Peachwave and Noteworthy Chocolate, bringing the number of tenants to 19 for the entire,100% occupied plaza.
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Dolan Plaza is the commercial portion of Bethel’s first transit-oriented development (TOD) district. The residential portion consists of two apartment buildings, Grand I and Grand II, completed in 2016 and 2020, respectively. Developed by Bob Gleason and Gary Michael on vacant land behind the plaza and fronting on Grand Street, they are a short walk to the Metro-North Station. The TOD initiative, adopted by the Planning & Zoning Commission under the heading “Bethel Forward: A Plan for Bethel,” allows for a denser mix of residential and commercial use near a transportation center. It is also about a walkable downtown.
“Like our approach to the plaza, we designed the apartment buildings to blend with the wonderful Victorians on Grand,” noted Gleason. “They both leased up quickly. About half of the tenants are empty nesters, many from Bethel, who wanted the walkable lifestyle a TOD affords. And the tenants help support the plaza’s businesses. It’s a win-win situation.”
