The town's economic development coordinator on Thursday said he is keeping his "fingers crossed" that the Cardio Express fitness center will relocate to its "new" location at 425 Talcottville Road by the first of the year.
"I am keeping my fingers crossed, my toes crossed and a few other things crossed," Economic Development Coordinator Shaun Gately said. "I am told progress is being made."
Hartford Turnpike is the local name for Route 83.
Gately said the information came from one of the many conversations he has had with property owner Peter Rusconi since July, when the Town Council agreed to give him a series of tax breaks to make it easier to close what has become a long, frustrating saga.
The tax breaks are contingent upon Cardio Express getting a certificate of occupancy by Jan. 1. Gately said he has been told the flooring is ready for completion.
"And that generally means everything else can follow relatively quickly," he said.
Plans have been in place for the fitness center to move up the road from its current location on Talcottville Road since 2006. Rusconi has put in place a number of safety issues raised by the town and state.
The town is giving Rusconi a seven-year tax deal that calls for a 50 percent reduction in any assessment increase over the first four years and a 25 percent reduction over the final three.
