Signs of Spring in Storrs Center

While there is still some snow on the ground, and temperatures have not warmed up quite yet, spring has arrived in Storrs Center!

Construction of One Royce Circle continues with the majority of work on the interior spaces, both the commercial spaces on the first floor and the residential units on the upper floors. Leasing of the apartments, part of The Oaks on the Square, is well underway.

One Royce Circle

The construction of Wilbur Cross Way (formerly referred to as "Village Street") continues. Work will resume on Storrs Road in the coming weeks as the weather improves; the work remaining includes paving and landscaping.  

Meanwhile, the businesses that are open in One, Nine, and Eleven Dog Lane are enjoying the first hints of nice weather.

Moe's Southwest Grill is prepping their outdoor dining area at 1 Dog Lane.
Several restaurants will have outdoor dining available as the weather improves.

It always feels like spring when one steps inside The Flower Pot,
where they are ready to help everyone add some color to their home or workplace.

Working through the winter

The current focus of construction of One Royce Circle is on the interior while exterior work continues as weather permits.  One Royce Circle will face the Town Square and will feature commercial uses on the first floor and residential apartments on the upper floors.  This building is expected to open in August 2013.

One Royce Circle

An artist's rendering of One Royce Circle as seen from the future Town Square.

Work has begun on the south end of the project with demolition of three small buildings and site preparation for the construction of a grocery store.

Prepping the site along Storrs Road

Phases 1A and 1B are seen at left on this concept plan of Storrs Center. The future site of the grocery store is shown in green at right.  Wilbur Cross Way (formerly referred to as "Village Street") is currently under construction.
{Click to enlarge the image.}

Open for Business!

One Dog Lane - Fully occupied and open for business!

Moe's Southwest Grill, 7-Eleven, Froyoworld, and Dog Lane Cafe face Storrs Road in One Dog Lane.

Dog Lane Cafe wraps around One Dog Lane to meet Subway, Insomnia Cookies, 

and Mooyah Burgers & Fries.

Nine Dog Lane is the home of The Oaks on the Square leasing office and many businesses:

The Flower Pot

Body Language

Travel Planners

Skora's Barber Styling Shop

Bank of America ATM

Sweet Emotions Candy Shop

Select Physical Therapy

and

Husky Pizza

Storrs Automotive is located in 11 Dog Lane, 

just around the corner from Husky Pizza.

Meanwhile, construction of the next phase of Storrs Center - One Royce Circle - is well underway.

One Royce Circle is expected to open in August 2013.

New Traffic Pattern at Dog Lane

Beginning today (Monday, Nov. 19), motorists will find changes to the traffic pattern near Storrs Center.  The newly constructed portion of Dog Lane will be open to two-way traffic.  This is the portion of the road in front of 1 Dog Lane (Subway, Insomnia Cookies).  Motorists will be able to turn right from the new Dog Lane to travel north on Storrs Road/Route 195.  There will be no left turn from the new Dog Lane.

Motorists wishing to turn left to travel south on Storrs Road/Route 195 will use a temporary road connecting the existing Dog Lane to Bolton Road.  This temporary road will meet Bolton Road at the existing traffic light. 

Motorists traveling south on Storrs Road may turn left onto the new Dog Lane or continue to the Bolton Road intersection and turn left at the light.  Motorists traveling north on Storrs Road may turn right at the Bolton Road intersection or continue to the new Dog Lane and turn right.

This new traffic pattern will be in effect through much of 2013 as construction progresses in the downtown.  Questions may be directed to the Mansfield Downtown Partnership (storrscenterinfo@mansfieldct.org or 860.429.2740).

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).