FAIRFIELD — Three major business projects are underway in town, including the building of a new Big Apple store and gas station, a planned expansion of Casella Waste Systems’ employee parking lot and the creation of a new MB Tractor & Equipment location.

Motorists on Main Street downtown likely have noticed the stark changes there with the demolition of the Big Apple at the corner of Main and Water streets, as well as three old houses next to Lawry Brothers Funeral Home & Cremation Care.

C.N. Brown is constructing a new Big Apple at its 124 Main St. location, according to Town Manager Michelle Flewelling, adding it will be larger than the former one and would be located farther back from the street for safer and better customer access.

“It’s great that they are investing in our community,” Flewelling said Thursday, adding that people are anxious to see the new store and gasoline pumps open.

A pedestrian passes the Citgo Big Apple gas station Thursday at 124 Main St. in Fairfield. The Big Apple building was leveled and a new retaining wall was recently built on the site. Behind the pedestrian is the Lawry Brothers Funeral Home. Two homes next to Lawry’s have been torn down and the lots cleared. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

A C.N. Brown official did not return a phone call Thursday afternoon seeking further detail about the project and opening date.

Meanwhile, Casella Waste Systems, located just off Main Street at 6 Gerald Terrace, purchased property on Main Street and demolished three old houses there to expand its employee parking.

Casella spokesman Jeff Weld said Thursday that construction on the parking lot will begin whenever the weather permits.

“We’re probably looking at about 30 spots,” he said of the number of parking spaces.

The property where the houses were razed is next to Lawry Brothers Funeral Home.

Flewelling said the three houses had been vacant for some time and the woman who owned them passed away, after which Casella bought them. Parts of those houses were dilapidated and falling down, she said.

MB Tractor & Equipment, located on Upper Main Street, is renovating the former Wickes Lumber building on U.S. Route 201 just south of the entrance to Interstate 95 and it will include a much larger showroom than the one at its current store, according to Flewelling.

A call to the business seeking comment Thursday was not immediately returned.

Meanwhile, the former Dragon Cement plant on U.S. Route 201, just north of the entrance to I-95, was purchased by Auburn Concrete, which is rehabbing the site, according to Flewelling.

“They will be back up and running again,” she said.

Flewelling said the town has seen a lot of investment activity lately.

“It’s great to see all of the commercial activity happening in the downtown area of the town of Fairfield, and hopefully it will have some positive influence on other businesses looking to come here,” she said.

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