Over twelve years ago a fire devastated the former Peachtree apartment complex on Westledge Drive in Norwich. Under new ownership, Westledge Luxury Apartments has begun construction on the first phase (60 units) of its 120-unit complex. The design for Westledge maximizes the prior footprint to offer two- and three-bedroom units, after receiving a variance from the City. These garden style apartments will feature high-end finishes including granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, central air conditioning, and private decks. There will also be 30 detached garages available for residents. The grounds will have pet areas, open lawn spaces, and a clubhouse with a gym and an outdoor pool.

The development team at Pledge Property Management is excited about this latest undertaking, projected to come online in 2021.  The Pledge Property brand encompasses a real estate division, as well as a construction and development team. Pledge is owned and operated by two generations of the Gebbie family, proud to celebrate their 50th year.  They currently manage over 350 units in Eastern Connecticut, 280 of which they privately own.

“We’re really excited to bring the Westledge project to Norwich,” shares Darwin Gebbie, who bought his first apartment house in 1970. “And to now have the family continue that, it’s really special to have another generation involved.”

The Gebbie trio of father Darwin, along with his son Alex Gebbie and wife Jessica, are proud of the connection they have fostered with their management team. “Our staff are our extended family,” Darwin shares. They attribute much of their success to their strong vendor relationships which include: Yantic River Consulting, KML Architects, Coit Excavating, Zlotnick Construction, D.B. Lunt, LLC, Air We Are Heating & Cooling LLC, James Carboni Plumbing & Heating Inc. and The Falcon Group (MEP Engineer). 

The City of Norwich has been instrumental to the development process. “The City has just been great,” Jessica shares. “They’ve really helped us bring this project to life.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, the building department has been available remotely to help the team maintain momentum on site. The City has also offered Zoom meetings to continue to meet virtually.

Westledge has also partnered with Norwich Public Utilities to offer electric car charging stations and incorporates energy-efficient features throughout the complex. Dime Bank and Ion Bank are providing construction to permanent financing for this project.  

To learn more about the Westledge project, please contact Jessica Gebbie at 860-887-2792 or jess@pledgepm.com, or visit www.pledgepropertymanagement.com. 

(April 2020) This month, the Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) announced that the Global City Norwich Program is a recipient of this year’s Awards of Excellence. Global City Norwich, being recognized for its excellence in Events & Programming, is one of eight initiatives from communities across Connecticut set to receive the award. 

According to the CMSC, the annual Awards of Excellence was established in 2003 to “recognize outstanding projects, individuals and partnerships in community efforts to bring traditional downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts back to life, socially and economically.”

Global City Norwich is a multi-year project supporting the revitalization of Downtown Norwich and is funded by the Chelsea Groton Foundation, whose mission is to support the ongoing commitment in partnership for the long-term growth of the community. 

“I can think of fewer programs more deserving of this award than Global City Norwich,” comments Michael Rauh, President and CEO of Chelsea Groton Bank. “Stimulating economic activity in our historic Downtown while engaging with broader cultural communities who call Norwich home is exactly what Chelsea Groton Foundation is proud to support.” Over the last two years, the program has hosted more than a dozen cultural experiences in Downtown Norwich, including festivals celebrating Peruvian, Polish, Dominican, and Cape Verdean cultures. 

“It is an honor to receive this recognition from the Connecticut Main Street Center,” says Global City Norwich Liaison Suki Lagrito, who has led the charge for the Norwich initiative since its inception in 2018. “But this recognition isn’t about our efforts,” Lagrito remarks, ”It’s really a testament to the cultures and communities that have embraced Global City and have supported us in enriching Norwich’s economic activity and have leaned into celebrating its overall vibrancy.”   

In addition to celebrating Norwich’s diverse community, the initiative has also partnered with the Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC) in an effort to increase the occupancy of storefronts downtown. Through various educational programming and outreach efforts, Global City Norwich is attributed to about 30% of new businesses in Downtown Norwich since 2018, leveraging over $300,000 in economic investment and spending. 

As for the program’s next steps, Lagrito and NCDC will continue to support cultural groups and provide business education programs, with a renewed focus on cultivating spaces in Downtown Norwich. According to NCDC President Robert Mills, programs such as Vanilla Boxing will help to activate vacant spaces by removing the barriers preventing entrepreneurs from moving in. “We’re also in the process of sourcing entrepreneurial curiosity through working labs with local high school and college students,” Mills shares. 

Joining Norwich among the communities with organizations and initiatives receiving recognition are Bridgeport, New Britain, Manchester, Rockville, Simsbury, Waterbury, and Windsor Locks.

CMSC will present each award locally in the community in which the project is located later this year.   

To learn more about Global City Norwich, please contact Suki Lagrito at suki@globalcitynorwich.com or 860.304.8505.

To learn more about the CMSC Awards of Excellence, please contact Marketing & Development Director Christine Schilke at christine@ctmainstreet.org or 860.280.2356.

(April 2020) NCDC is happy to announce a partnership with the City of New London that will allow our Spanish speaking business owners a ‘Help Line’ to navigate available relief programs. Please call 860-437-6309 or email sbinfo@newlondonct.org to make an appointment. Now is the time where partnerships are vital in getting information to all of our small business/ non-profit owners. We are all in this together.

NCDC se complace en anunciar una colaboración con la ciudad de New London que les permitirá a nuestros propietarios de pequeñas empresas de habla española a utilizar el Centro de Ayuda para evaluar los programas de asistencia disponibles. Por favor llamar al 860-437-6309 o enviar un correo electrónico a sbinfo@newlondonct.org para hacer una cita. Este es el momento vital para proveerles información a todos los propietarios de pequeñas empresas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro. Estamos juntos en esto.