Long-awaited construction begins on former Central Hall Block in downtown Mystic
Mystic — Sixteen years after it was destroyed by fire, crews have begun demolishing the foundation of the former Central Hall Block in downtown Mystic.
Rich Pinder, co-owner of New England Marine Construction, said demolition work began April 13 and could be done in a few more days. The second phase of the project, which would install steel pylons and build the concrete base for a new four-story building, would begin immediately after demolition, he said. Construction of the foundation could take until September, he said.
Historic Mystic LLC, which owns the property at 18-22 West Main St., plans to build a four-story structure over the water, with six retail stores on the first floor and 12 two-bedroom condominiums on the second, third and fourth floors.
“I knew the day would come,” said Margaret Macris, who owns the Blue Horse Children’s Shop on West Main Street. “I’m an optimist. It’s so good for us. We are just so happy.”
The former Central Hall building burned in 2000 and since then, residents and tourists have had to pass by a wooden fence while developers debated various plans to rebuild it.
Pinder said his crews would install 100 steel pylons 60 feet into the ground, then put “caps” on top to allow them to pour the cement foundation. The caps would function almost like a tray at the top of the steel pylons or pipes. Once cement is poured around and over the pipes, creating the foundation, the tray would be removed.
Gregg Fedus, who's serving as liaison between the contractor and business owner, said the plan is to move forward with building construction after the foundation is complete. He said information about plans should be checked with the business owner.
Brian Navarro, a principal of Historic Mystic LLC and the current listed owner, could not immediately be reached to comment. But according to building plans filed with the town, the new building would include a wooden walkway and deck for public access to the water. The deck would be 10 feet wide along the back of the new structure and have entrances via a ramp and stairs behind the new building and from West Main Street between the new building and The Spice & Tea Exchange.
"We're really excited about it," said Larry Ostroff, who lives on Pearl Street. "The town's all abuzz."
He said he and others used to call the block “the green monster,” named after the green wooden wall at the site, and watched banner after banner go up, promising something was “coming soon.”
Now he and other retired residents are watching work actually begin, along with other new activity in downtown Mystic. “We have a new bakery opening up, a new store opening up, we’re going to have a new restaurant,” he said.
Patti Donahue, manager of The Mixed Bag, said the store just opened for the season. “It’ll be different, it’ll be very different,” she said of a future new building. “I think it’s great.”
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