EAST HARTFORD- More shopping options will soon arrive in the Hartford area.
On Tuesday, Horizon Group Properties, a Michigan-based owner and developer of factory outlet shopping centers, presented a $100 million plan to the East Hartford Town Council to develop the Rentschler Field airstrip.
The plan is to create a 420,000-square-foot outlet mall with more than 90 shops and restaurants.
The group says the project would create 2,800 jobs and generate an estimated $400 million in total tax benefits for 20 years for East Hartford.
“Rentschler Field has been a hub of employment and industry in our community for close to 100 years and will continue its legacy in a new and exciting way,” said Mayor Marcia Leclerc.
The company first announced its intention to develop the mall in March, saying it would be called The Outlet Shoppes at Renschler Field.
The overall concept is to develop residential housing, civic amenities, retail shops and hotels at the former Rentschler Field airstrip.
While the council approved the measure, the town’s residents will have to vote it through on Election Day in November. The development company plans to break ground this fall, and a grand opening would be held by late 2016.
