Since it has become a campaign pattern, let’s clear the air with the facts as reported in October 2023 & updated to reflect the current positive impact the Kelson Row Project has had for Rocky Hill as there has been a lot of misinformation lately about the development, especially on social media. 

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For more than 20 years, the Kelson Row property sat vacant and blighted, contaminated with hazardous materials and classified as a certified brownfield. It was an eyesore for our community and produced just $60,000 a year in tax revenue.

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Under Mayor Lisa Marotta’s leadership, that changed. This administration accomplished what others couldn’t - attracting a developer to transform this neglected site into a vibrant, mixed-use destination featuring retail, office, and apartment space (including affordable housing) consistent with our town’s Plan of Conservation and Development. Mayor Marotta also worked with state officials to secure grants to clean up the contaminated soil, a success publicly recognized by Governor Ned Lamont in April 2021. Once complete, Kelson Row will help connect Ferry Park’s waterfront to the rest of Rocky Hill, enhancing our town’s sense of place and community.

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Now, here are the real numbers. The town is not losing money - it’s gaining. Real property tax revenue has already increased from $60,000 to $80,000 per year for the next seven years, plus new personal property taxes ($26,000 collected since FY2025). After that, real property taxes rise sharply in years 8 and 9, after which the abatement ends (not 13 years as others have claimed). This project has added hundreds of thousands of dollars in new annual revenue, making Kelson Row projected to be among the top three taxpayers in town. The town has also earned over $513,000 in permit and related fees since FY2023, revenue Rocky Hill never would have seen without this project. Add on top of this well over $100,000 the town is and will continue to receive every year on automobile property taxes and it is easy to see how this is a home run for Rocky Hill.

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Kelson Row is part of Mayor Marotta’s long-term plan to grow Rocky Hill’s tax base and strengthen the Silas Deane Highway corridor. Temporary tax stabilization gives the developer the ability to reinvest more into the project, resulting in a higher-quality development that benefits the entire community for years to come.

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The bottom line: This project turns a long-neglected, contaminated property into a thriving community asset, bringing jobs, tax revenue, and new life to Rocky Hill. 

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That’s real progress.

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Allan Greenspan, Rocky Hill Deputy Mayor, Finance Committee Chair

Jeff Levine, Rocky Hill Town Council Member, Finance Committee Member

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