NEDC lines up deal for train station

0
75
The former Naugatuck train station on Water Street. -RA ARCHIVE
The former Naugatuck train station on Water Street. -RA ARCHIVE

NAUGATUCK — The owner of a popular restaurant in Southington for 15 years plans to open a similar sit down eatery at the former Naugatuck train station.

Jim Perzhilla, owner of Spartan II Pizza Restaurant & Lounge at 930 Old Meriden-Waterbury Road, Route 66, plans to put an eatery called The Station in the building at 195 Water St. It will have casual cuisine inside and an outdoor patio overlooking the Naugatuck River, if the current proposal is built.

The Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation discussed the proposal behind closed doors Tuesday night and gave unanimous approval to the plan, NEDC President and CEO Ron Pugliese said.

Perzhilla has completely renovated his current building in Southtingon, which he owns with a business partner. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

Pugliese said there is a local attorney who is going to be a financial partner with Perzhilla, but he would not name that attorney.

The proposal must go before the Board of Mayor and Burgesses July 7 before it can be ratified.

The offer that the NEDC accepted Tuesday was that Perzhilla and his partner would purchase the building for $300,000. They would put $60,000 down and pay the remaining $240,000 in installments over four years.

They also plan to put more than $500,000 in renovations into the building.

The offer would be contingent upon all necessary approvals from the borough including approval of a foyer, an outdoor patio and a bar, and a liquor permit from the state of Connecticut and satisfactory phase two environmental assessment.

The building has never been used as a restaurant, so it would need $502,500 worth of upgrades to turn it into a restaurant, according to a draft contract. Among the more expensive items are: a main kitchen for $94,500; a preparatory kitchen for $27,000; a main bar for $51,000; $124,000 for the dining room; $21,000 for the foyer; $41,000 for the patio/exterior bar.

Pugliese said he and some NEDC board members went to Spartan II for lunch on June 15. They were impressed with the menu and atmosphere, he said.

“It was jammed with people on a Monday, so I’m very excited about the possibilities here,” he said.

Jay Carlson, chairman of the NEDC, said he’s excited about the proposal.

“I think the opportunity in front of us has very strong potential,” he said. “And having a local investor involved gives it even more potential to be successful.”