CREC School Unanimously Approved By P&Z For 525 Brook Street in Rocky Hill

The Rocky Hill Panning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve the special permit/site plan application from Capitol Region Education Council care of David S. Hoopes, proposing to convert an existing office building at 525 Brook St. into a temporary school use location. 

The agreement and approval was contingent on the office building being a temporary spot (no more than four years) and that CREC removes the south playscape and a fence has to be installed along 553 Brook St. The approval is also contingent on the new project addressing and complies with all staff comments. 

Vice Chairman Henry Vasel made the motion and it was seconded by Commissioner Carmelo D'Agostino. The five commissioners voted unanimously to approve the project. 

The project at 525 Brook St. will encompass 111,900 square feet and 2.569 acres. 

525 Brook St. is the former home of the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation and will turn into a temporary home for the opening of its Academy of Aerospace & Engineering Elementary School, according to town officials.

The school, which will open in August, will be CREC's 19th regional magnet school and the first in Rocky Hill.

The school will initially open with 213 preschool and kindergarten students, with up to 66 students added each year, according to a CREC report.

CREC says the plan to invest between $2 million and $3 million to upgrade the building, which will remain on the town's tax rolls.

(Rob Muirhead contributed to this story)