Car wash under construction on long-vacant Norwich lot
Dec. 29—NORWICH — A construction fence now surrounds the long-vacant property at the corner of West Main Street and New London Turnpike, where the owner plans to open a new car wash in spring after being assured by state transportation officials the project would not be displaced by a future traffic roundabout.
Steve Cohen, owner and manager of the property ownership firm, Franklin Development Funds II LLC, said Wednesday construction of the Olympic Car Wash is underway at 684 West Main St., and the new business could open by April 1.
The car wash will feature a 90-foot-long tunnel with a conveyor belt to carry the vehicle forward through the brushes and heated air dryer. The facility also will have vacuum cleaners.
Olympic Car Wash will offer monthly memberships that will provide unlimited washes, while non-members can pay by credit card, Cohen said.
The property had been approved for a Cumberland Farms gas station and convenience store in 2018. That approval was controversial and was challenged in Superior Court. But Cohen said the project was withdrawn when Cumberland Farms stores were sold, and the new owner canceled the project.
The West Main-New London Turnpike intersection had been the site of one of six controversial planned roundabouts proposed by the state Department of Transportation. The DOT announced in October it would "reassess" the sweeping plan to reconstruct West Main Street with the roundabouts and a median divider in light of fierce local opposition.
Cohen said before he went ahead with construction on the car wash, he discussed the plan with DOT project officials and was told the new design yet to be unveiled would not include a roundabout at the busy intersection.
DOT spokeswoman Shannon King issued a statement Wednesday in response to questions about the roundabouts. The statement said public discussions regarding the revised design are anticipated later in 2023.
"No final decisions regarding roundabout locations have been made," the DOT statement said. "CTDOT values input, and believes the safety and travel benefits intended through this project can be achieved while addressing the community's feedback."
Mayor Peter Nystrom said city officials are expected to meet with DOT project leaders in early January to discuss revised plans for Route 82, but Nystrom said new plans are not expected until later in the year.
