FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy St Onge – firstselectman@thompsonct.org, 860-923-9561 or Tyra Penn-Gesek – planner@thompsonct.org, 860-923-9475
RE: Public Informational Presentation – Proposed Redevelopment of 630 Riverside Drive
Wednesday 1 October at 6:30 p.m., The Town of Thompson will host a special public presentation in the Community Center of the Thompson Public Library (934 Riverside Drive, North Grosvenordale). The presentation will be an opportunity for members of the public to see the concept plans for the proposed redevelopment of the former Belding-Corticelli mill site at 630 Riverside Drive. The presentation is an opportunity to meet the developer, Robert Letskus of Refined Living LLC. Town officials will also discuss the potential positive impacts of the proposed redevelopment, which will incorporate new-construction condominiums, ground-level neighborhood commercial units and plans for green space. The public will have the opportunity to share their comments and questions at the conclusion of the presentation.
Presenters for the evening will be:
Brian Yacino, Economic Development Commission Chairman.
Amy St Onge, Thompson First Selectman.
Robert Letskus, Refined Living LLC
Tyra Penn-Gesek, Thompson Director of Planning & Development
Wayne Bugden, One Earth Environmental
Regarding the project, Mr. Letskus shared the following statement:
“For more than a century, Thompson, Connecticut, thrived on the hum of the mills. The Belding-Corticelli Thread Mill was one of the engines driving the community, powering both an industry and a way of life. Families built their futures here, and the town flourished. Riverside Drive was alive with the rhythm of local commerce, and Thompson was a place where hard work and community spirit wove together seamlessly.
But time changed everything. The mill closed its doors in 1954, and by 1962, what was once a proud landmark became an abandoned shell. Decades of silence followed. The once-grand mill was demolished in the early 2000s, leaving behind only fragments—the smokestack, the guardhouse, and a stairwell tower that collapsed in 2023. Today, the 33-acre site sits overgrown, contaminated, and littered with debris: a reminder of both what Thompson once was and what it has lost.
This is not the face of Thompson. The people of this town deserve better. And now—after decades of waiting—better is finally coming.
At 630 Riverside Drive, a bold vision is taking shape. Instead of ruin and neglect, a new, vibrant hub of life, culture, and community will rise. Plans call for brand new neighborhood restaurants, retail shops and modern townhouse condominiums—spaces that bring people together and invite visitors in. Much of the land will remain green, offering room for recreation and reflection, while the town regains the “quality of life” businesses and homes that once thrived there.
This project doesn’t erase the past—it honors it. If it can be safely preserved, the historic smokestack will remain as a landmark. The guardhouse will be reborn as a visitor welcome center and café, telling the story of Thompson’s industrial roots while serving as a gathering place for a new generation. What has been an environmental hazard will become a point of pride. What was an eyesore will transform into a symbol of renewal. What was abandoned will once again be alive. 630 Riverside Drive is more than a redevelopment. It is the rebirth of Thompson’s heart. A chance to reclaim history, restore dignity, and reimagine the future. The town has waited long enough. Now, at last, Thompson’s new chapter begins.”
For more information contact:
Tyra Penn-Gesek, Director of Planning & Development: planner@thompsonct.org
Amy St Onge, First Selectman: firstselectman@thompsonct.org
TOWN OF THOMPSON
Planning & Development
815 Riverside Drive
P.O. Box 899
North Grosvenordale, CT 06255
PHONE: 860-923-9475
E-MAIL: planner@thompsonct.org
www.thompsonct.org
