North Stonington takes first step for Film Studios

[HartfordTycoon]

N. Stonington Panel Approves Amendment For Film, TV Studios

Detailed plans for 495-acre site next step for North Stonington Studios

read story here

[damus]

I guess it's time to revive this topic and kindly request that, considering this town borders Westerly, RI, for this thread to be moved to the "Connecticut" forum.

There hasn't been much talk about the other movie studio proposal for the area. It is on 488 acres of the same prime real estate that Six Flags New England was proposed to go.

My editorializing now: 6 Flags was nixed because of traffic and quality of life (i.e. character of the town) concerns. The glitz and glamour of Hollywood has got a hold on the whole region... This is basically the same proposal as Utopia (sans the rediculous domed theme park), only instead of headed by a no-name its touted by an established player in the industry. It also doesn't appear to have the ambition that Utopia has to put its ancillary developments sprawling across the region. For better or worse it looks like this region will become a home for tourism and hollywood types on a massive scale, especially since the Preston voters approved Utopia. Six flags was nothing in comparison to what's in store for the region. If they're going to turn one of the last predominately rural area in the Megalopolis into a largely developed area, I beg the powers that be to at least do it right and plan a light rail loop NOW. The attractions are all conveniently located along a route2/route95/thames river "loop" and the time to prepare for the future is before it arrives.

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.d.../512090311/1002

A group calling itself North Stonington Studios presented its concept for movie studios on 53 acres, an academy of arts and science campus, a high-end retail village with 20-30 shops and restaurants and a 200-room hotel to the Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday.

It plans to build the complex on 488 acres adjacent to Interstate 95 off Route 49.

The group is led by Frank Capra Jr., president of EUE Screen Gems in Wilmington, N.C., and Chief Executive Officer Georgette Smart.

[runawayjim]

this actually seems like a decent proposal, mostly given that it's not enormous.

[Inkdaub]

I like this quite a bit and hope it suceeds.

[PCGrad02]

The people in North Stonington are the biggest NIMBY's in the area. They vote against everything. Get ready for a long dragged out battle.

[damus]

The people in North Stonington are the biggest NIMBY's in the area. They vote against everything. Get ready for a long dragged out battle.

methinks they'll be caught up in the glitz and glamour of hollywood like Preston. Remember, N. Stonington's segment of route 2 is far more developed than Preston's. Preston is a pretty big NIMBY town, too and they fell for the Utopia thing. The proposal in N. Stonington is far more sensible, and with Utopia coming already they'd be idiots to turn it down. Preston already let the cat out of the bag.... Now's the time to make the most of it.

[drc72]

The people in North Stonington are the biggest NIMBY's in the area. They vote against everything. Get ready for a long dragged out battle.

Probably will, but I bet it will pass.

[somad]

Bulletin - 75 tech jobs may come to Plainfield

According to the plans, the 75 full-time jobs will average $58,000 a year. Salaries will range from entry-level data entry at $30,000 to $40,000 a year to highly skilled jobs in health care, entertainment and education at $50,000 to $90,000 a year, the plan states.

Lots of further details in the article...

[runawayjim]

NS Studios Executive Touts Epcot-Esque 'City Within City'

while i'm 100% against the orlando-ization of quiet SE CT... i just have to say "wow". and it would not surprise me to learn that one of the partners is MGM.