June 30, 2011 | Peter Morenus

Storrs Center: It’s True. It’s Here. It’s Happening.

The new Storrs Center is about to become a reality.

After overcoming a seemingly endless series of hurdles, the new Storrs Center is about to become a reality. At official groundbreaking ceremonies held on June 29, an enthusiastic gathering of townspeople and other interested bystanders listened to the ‘official word’ from visiting dignitaries.

Governor Dannel Malloy speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Storrs Center, on June 29, 2011. At left is state Rep. Greg Haddad and Secretary of State Denise Merrill. At right is Philip Lodewick, president of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership.
Gov. Dannel Malloy at the lectern at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Storrs Center, on June 29. At left are state Rep. Greg Haddad and Secretary of State Denise Merrill. At right is Philip Lodewick, president of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)
President Susan Herbst speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Storrs Center, on June 29, 2011.
President Susan Herbst talked about UConn's close relationship with downtown Storrs and the community at large. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom Trubiana, left, of Education Realty Trust, Howard Kaufman of Leyland Alliance, Matthew Hart, Mansfield town manager, Cynthia van Zelm executive director of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Mayor Betsy Paterson, of Mansfield, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, Don Williams, state senate president pro tempore, state Rep. Greg Haddad, President Susan Herbst, Governor Dannel Malloy, Philip Lodewick, president of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership and Secretary of State Denise Merrill with shovels at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Storrs Center, on June 29, 2011.
Tom Trubiana, left, of Education Realty Trust, Howard Kaufman of Leyland Alliance, Matthew Hart, Mansfield town manager, Cynthia van Zelm, executive director of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Mayor Betsy Paterson, of Mansfield, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, Don Williams, state senate president pro tempore, state Rep. Greg Haddad, President Susan Herbst, Gov. Dannel Malloy, Philip Lodewick, president of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, and Secretary of State Denise Merrill all wield shovels to make it official. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

 

 

President Susan Herbst, left, and Governor Dannel Malloy speak during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Storrs Center, on June 29, 2011.
President Susan Herbst, left, and Gov. Dannel Malloy talked about the day's events and the importance of a mixed-use downtown community that will provide both residential and commercial opportunities. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Storrs Center, on June 29, 2011. At left is Secretary of State Denise Merrill. At right is Philip Lodewick, president of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership.
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney knows the value of a vibrant community and he expressed his full support for the project. At left is Secretary of State Denise Merrill. At right is Philip Lodewick, president of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

 

 

Manfield Mayor Betsy Patterson speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Storrs Center, on June 29, 2011.
Mansfield Mayor Betsy Patterson talked about overcoming obstacles and seeing a dream finally come true. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Philip Lodewick, president of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership speaks with the media groundbreaking ceremony for the new Storrs Center, on June 29, 2011.
Philip Lodewick, president of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, speaks with the media. Lodewick is an avid supporter of all things UConn and all things Storrs. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

 

Don Williams, state senate president pro tempore speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Storrs Center, on June 29, 2011. Seated from the left are Governor Dannel Malloy, Mayor Betsy Paterson of Mansfield, President Susan Herbst and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney.
Don Williams, state senate president pro tempore, represents Mansfield at the State Capitol. Seated from left are Gov. Dannel Malloy, Mayor Betsy Paterson of Mansfield, President Susan Herbst, and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)