Enfield Set for Biggest Housing and Population Growth in Decades

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Open space and existing homes — the balance Enfield must navigate as new housing proposals emerge. Enfield is quietly on the verge of its largest housing expansion in decades. Over the past several years, the town has approved or is reviewing projects that together could add nearly 1,400 units — most of them smaller, rental apartments. If built, these developments would bring about 2,300 to 2,600 new residents to town. The town needs this new housing. Enfield's population is flat. It's getting older. Young people are declining. Our job market growth is flat. (see appendix)  Young People Are Key Without young people, Enfield will face a long and persistent decline and soaring taxes. We're surrounded by communities that help underpin our commercial sector that are seeing similar demographic shifts. Enfield Has 5,000 Fewer Residents Than in 1970 In 1970, our population was 46,200. The U.S. includes prisoners in the local population, but our prison population at that time was n...

Amazon Buys Bacon Road Site for $20 Million

 

Amazon stock art image available on its news media resources page


Amazon has purchased a Bacon Road site in Enfield approved for warehouse development, for $20 million, according to a town official. Public records confirm the sale.

The transaction took place on April 23. Lauren Whitten, Enfield’s director of planning, informed the Planning and Zoning Commission of the sale of 35 Bacon Rd., at its regular meeting on April 24.

"As far as we know, things are going to progress as they were approved," Whitten told commissioners during the meeting. (See PZC YouTube April 24 at approximately 2:58)

But it is not definitively clear how much land Amazon has acquired. Public records show “two parcels,” but do not specify whether the purchase covers the full 181-acre development area. Amazon and Winstanley Enterprises were not immediately available for comment.

The site is where Winstanley Enterprises had proposed an 819,000-square-foot distribution warehouse. Amazon purchased the land from WE Enfield Industrial LLC, a Winstanley affiliate, according to public records. Winstanley lists Amazon as a client on its website and has collaborated with the company on other projects.

The warehouse project was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission in March 2022.

Amazon's specific plans for the property remain unknown. Amazon typically builds fulfillment centers, or warehouses. It also creates sortation centers where package orders are sorted for delivery, and fresh warehouses or distribution sites for groceries, among other uses.