A New Era Begins at Ideal Forging

For more than 130 years, the factories at Ideal Forging provided jobs and became a historical part of the Southington community.

As demolition begins within two of the main buildings on the former factory site, Meridian Development Principal Howard Schlesinger said the contributions of the factory and those working in it will never be forgotten.

"During World War II Peck, Stow & Wilcox (owners of the Ideal Forging factory) made the gun mounts for our ships that were going oversees. The site has a very rich history," Schlesinger said.

"We're in a position at this time to develop this into a new use," he said. "We have worked hard over the past five years to create a use that would be accepted and welcomed by the community."

Over the next 60 to 90 days, buildings will begin to fall within the main portion of the site, part of an ongoing project that will lead to the development of Greenway Commons. The commons will be a mixed-use commercial and residential center within downtown Southington.

Demolition will be completed on the main portion of the factory, which includes the "saw-roof" building measuring approximately 25,000 square feet and the adjacent warehouse building at about 5,600 square feet said Justin Manafort of Manafort Brothers Inc., the Plainville company charged with demolishing the buildings.

Once the demolition is complete, Schlesinger said Meridian would move on to the next phase which includes early construction of a residential development on the property.

Due to the economy, however, he said the company is renegotiating with contractors and further details are not being released at this time.