Phase 1B Progressing

Mansfield residents are already enjoying the new and returning businesses that have already opened in Phase 1A of Storrs Center, and construction of Phase 1B is well underway.

With the demolition of the former Marketplace building complete,
there is a clear view of 1 Royce Circle from E. O. Smith High School.

Phase 1B consists of one building, 1 Royce Circle, which is adjacent to the Storrs Center parking garage.  This building is expected to open in August 2013 with 40,000 square feet of commercial space on the first floor and with 190 rental apartments from The Oaks on the Square on the upper floors.

One Royce Circle will face the future Town Square.

This image shows 1 Royce Circle as it will appear from the southwest,
where the building meets the future Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center.

One Royce Circle will help to define the future Town Square.  In addition to forming the east end of the square by its location, the size and scale of the building will help create a distinct sense of place within the Town Square.  A third, future phase (1C) will from the southerly end once it is completed in 2014.

Each of the buildings framing the Town Square will have commercial space on the first floors.  The restaurants and shops, along with wide sidewalks and outdoor seating, will create a lively environment in the Town Square area, where residents and visitors can meet and mingle, partake in community events, and enjoy living in a diverse university community.

While the construction of Phase 1B continues, the construction of Phase 1A is wrapping up: façades are being painted, businesses are opening up, and the streetscape is filling out.  To date, eleven businesses have opened their doors in 1 Dog Lane (Froyoworld, Subway, Insomnia Cookies), 9 Dog Lane (Body Language, Travel Planners, Skora’s Barber Styling Shop, Bank of America, Sweet Emotions, Select Physical Therapy, and Husky Pizza), and 11 Dog Lane (Storrs Automotive). In the coming months, six more businesses will open: Moe’s Southwest Grill, 7-Eleven, Dog Lane Café, and Mooyah Burgers & Fries (1 Dog Lane) and Geno’s Grille (9 Dog Lane).  

Demo of 1254 Storrs Road Underway

1254 Storrs Road

The former Marketplace building housed many businesses over the years, including Subway, Travel Planners, Skora's Barbershop, and Body Language - all of which are now open in their new locations in 1 Dog Lane and 9 Dog Lane.

1254 Storrs Road

Demolition of the building began recently.  The removal of the building will make way for the extension of Bolton Road into Storrs Center and for Phase 1C of the new downtown.

1254 Storrs Road

1254 Storrs Road

Open for Business: Storrs Center

Storrs Center is open!  Storrs Automotive, Select Physical Therapy, Travel Planners, Skora’s Barber Styling Shop, Body Language, and Subway have all opened in their new locations.  Residents of the first 127 apartments of The Oaks on the Square have moved in and are enjoying their new homes.

Subway is now open in 1 Dog Lane.

Additional businesses are hard at work preparing their spaces.  Froyoworld, Bank of America, Insomnia Cookies, Sweet Emotions Candy Shop, and Husky Pizza are expected to open in the coming weeks.

Froyoworld will open soon in 1 Dog Lane.

Dog Lane Cafe is expected to open in 1 Dog Lane later this fall.

And, later this fall, residents and visitors can expect to see Dog Lane Café, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Mooyah Burgers and Fries, 7-Eleven, and Geno’s Grille open their doors.  All in all, this first phase of Storrs Center will have almost 30,000 square feet of new retail and restaurant space.

Phase 1A = 1 Dog Lane, 9 Dog Lane, 11 Dog Lane, and the parking garage
Phase 1B = 1 Royce Circle

The next phase, scheduled to open in August 2013, is already under construction across Dog Lane.  This phase consists of one building, One Royce Circle, which will include more apartments for The Oaks on the Square, a 15,000 square foot branch of the UConn Co-op, and 18,000 square feet of medical offices for the UConn Health Center.  Additional retail space is available.

One Royce Circle is under construction and expected to open in August 2013.

Traffic Alert: Post Office Road

Charles Smith Way, formerly “Post Office Road,” will be restricted to one lane for the next several days to accommodate paving of the street.

Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians should use caution when traveling near the intersection of Storrs Road (Route 195), South Eagleville Road (Route 275), and Charles Smith Way.  Delays may occur.

Almost Ready for Residents

Construction of Phase 1A is nearly complete.  Work continues on the individual commercial spaces, the parking garage, and the sidewalks in front of the buildings.  The new section of Dog Lane, which will frame the north side of the future Town Square is completed but not yet open to general vehicular traffic (construction vehicles and the incoming businesses may use the road for construction purposes).

The original section of Dog Lane is now open to traffic.

The Oaks on the Square, the residential spaces on the upper floors of One Dog Lane and Nine Dog Lane will be opening soon to the first residents.  The Oaks staff is busy readying each apartment for the residents who will begin moving in next week.

One Dog Lane features The Oaks on the Square on the upper floors
and commercial spaces on the first floor.

Storrs Automotive and Select Physical Therapy will soon have some new neighbors in Nine Dog Lane.  Head Husky Barber Styling Shop (formerly Skora's), Connecticut Travel Planners, Body Language, Bank of America, and Sweet Emotions Candy are all hard at work readying their new spaces with a goal of opening by the end of the month.

Commercial tenants in Nine Dog Lane, including the Bank of America and
Sweet Emotions Candy, are readying their  new locations.

For a full list of all the businesses planning to open in Storrs Center, please visit www.StorrsCenter.com.

One Dog Lane and Nine Dog Lane will soon be open to residents.

While construction of Phase 1A is winding down, construction of Phase 1B is picking up.  The steel supports for One Royce Circle, which will be adjacent to the parking garage, are being erected now, and framing of the upper floors will begin shortly thereafter.  One Royce Circle will be a mixed-use building with commercial spaces on the first floor and additional units of The Oaks on the Square on the upper floors.

One Royce Circle is under construction on the south side of Dog Lane
(view above is from the south on Storrs Road).