Wait ... Is That Actual Construction At The Manchester Parkade? Yes Indeed.

MANCHESTER,CT — Shovels broke ground this week on one of the most anticipated projects in the history of Manchester.

That's right, the Parkade project is under way.

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What once was a dilapidated commercial wasteland is being graded to pave the way for an $80 million mixed-use development by Dallas-based Anthony Properties.

Here what will happen:

• A total of 232 apartments will occupy a 21.6-acre footprint to the tune of four 48-unit buildings and another four, 10-unit buildings. The apartments will range from studios to one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, according to the plans.
• The complex will feature a dog park, pool and pickleball court.
• The units will be rented at "market rate."
• A direct path to Center Springs Park will be fashioned.
• Facing Broad Street will be 13,000 square feet of commercial space.

The anticipation began on April 30, when town officials finalized an agreement conveying the former Broad Street Parkade property to Anthony Properties.

The purchase price was $3.6 million.

"This marks a major milestone in the town's ongoing redevelopment efforts on Broad Street," officials said. "The agreement signals the start of a transformational project, resulting from years of dedicated planning and public investment, and establishes the groundwork for the long-term transformation of the site."

As part of the agreement, the Town will contribute to public infrastructure improvements to support the project and ensure long-term functionality of the site. Public improvements include the extension of the Bigelow Brook Greenway, an original component of the Town's redevelopment vision. The greenway will extend through the site, improving access not only to Center Springs Park, but the Downtown area and the Cheney Historic District. Green Manor Boulevard will be improved to "meet public standards."