New Utilities Will Power Fairfield Hills

By Kendra Bobowick

One million dollars should cover it.

Infrastructure costs are estimated at roughly $1 million to rewire Fairfield Hills and bring the original 1930s utilities into the modern decade to include new gas lines, all new electric lines, fiber-optic cabling, and other necessary leads throughout the Fairfield Hills campus.

The project, slated to begin in coming months once plans are finalized, is meant to last. Project Manager David Cravanzola with O&G Industries Inc, which is overseeing the Fairfield Hills redevelopment, said, “This is a full build. It is not temporary or part of a temporary fix.”

Working on plans with O&G are town department heads, authority members, and utility company representatives, who have been holding apparently productive meetings in past months, based on Tuesday night’s news.

“We decided we would move ahead,” Fairfield Hills Authority Chairman Bob Geckle said, based on a recent infrastructure meeting. “I think it was an important milestone that we all agreed.” Additional support came from the Board of Selectmen, he said. Town and O&G resources will be used to accomplish the infrastructure work to replace and modernize the current connections.

The project will soon begin.

“We’re in planning stages already,” said Mr Cravanzola. He anticipates that utility work will begin following the winter thaw. Mr Geckle said the project could begin “shortly,” during the first quarter of the year. Utilities will run through conduits below ground and resurface near to or where they enter buildings. Funding the $1 million will require an allocation of funds from other projects at the former state hospital campus. Also, unallocated funds from the original $21 million appropriated in 2001 add up to roughly $1 million, Mr Geckle said.

 

Awaiting An Upgrade

Utility connections at Fairfield Hills have been in place since the 1930s when the former state hospital structure first opened doors to psychiatric patients and staff. With new tenants looking to occupy buildings that have been dormant since the state vacated the campus in the late 1990s, however, electric, gas, and other services need improvements and an introduction to the modern decade. Updated and higher capacity fiber optic electric and communications lines to deliver telephone, Internet and cable services are a must for today’s tenants. O&G will oversee and subcontract work beyond what the town departments can accomplish.

On The Leases

In line to benefit from new utility services is Hawley Realty, which will renovate Newtown Hall to accommodate Danbury Health Systems, Mr Geckle said. “We’re at the stage of completing negotiations,” he said. Attorneys are still finalizing several points within the lease including parking arrangements, for one. Turning to the first selectman, Mr Geckle said, “I hope by next week we have a lease on [Mr Borst’s] desk. I think we’re that close.”

Referring to the developer, Mr Geckle said, “Hawley is anxious to get this underway — no sense of delay on his part and Danbury Hospital there is no waffling. They want to provide medical facilities in Newtown.”

Hawley’s commitment could prompt into action the handful of other parties who have an interest in several buildings. “Hopefully we’re there,” he said. Stratford Hall and several duplexes could soon become retail and restaurant space once leases are completed.