Broker Will Aim At Marketing Fairfield Hills

By Kendra Bobowick

Two new names now accompany Fairfield Hills plans. Joining the Fairfield Hills Authority is Brian White, and filling the role of exclusive real estate agent for the property’s commercial brick buildings is an Advantage Realty broker.

Turning to member John Reed, who had worked on the subcommittee to interview and select the broker, Chairman Bob Geckle said, “I’ll let you tell everybody where we are.”

Wednesday, Mr Reed made a motion to offer the exclusive right to market Fairfield Hills properties to Advantage Commercial Realty owner and broker Michael Struna, a Bethel resident who does a lot of work in Newtown, Mr Reed told the authority. Thursday morning he noted, “If you look at Route 6 or even South Main Street you’ll see a lot of Advantage signs …”

Mr Struna was one of three agents to come forward as the authority began its search for an exclusive broker.

Authority members unanimously approved Mr Reed’s motion and recommendation Wednesday. Mr Reed explained, “The interest of this agency, the persistence and tenacity we regarded as positive traits.” The Fairfield Hills properties — large brick industrial buildings that are in need of work before they can open for reuse — “are a challenging proposition to begin with,” Mr Reed said Thursday.

He told the authority the night before, “We looked for somebody who was very focused.” He explained the next day, “I think he has demonstrated a level of sustained interest in the Fairfield Hills project; he has prompt follow-through and I think he brings a level of persistence to this assignment which is going to be necessary.”

Admitting again that leasing Fairfield Hills sites has proven difficult — recent efforts to lease space for a boutique, restaurant, hospital services, a veterinary clinic, and office space all have failed due to economic, political, and in one case financial reasons. “We feel he is on top of things. He has demonstrated to us a genuine enthusiasm.” Commercial work is Mr Struna’s specialty, said Mr Reed.

Is the move to include an exclusive broker in conflict with the master plan review that is also in its early phase? The conversation has come up with First Selectman Pat Llodra and the Board of Selectman, and for Mr Reed in recent meetings.

He summarized Thursday, “I don’t think it’s a conflict at all because the town retains all its options.” The real estate broker is aware of the master plan review, which will reassess preferred uses for Fairfield Hills, and the broker “must find someone within preferred uses,” Mr Reed said. Any lease agreement would be subject to the authority’s approval, the Board of Selectmen’s review, and then noticed at a public hearing.

“What we’re all looking for is not just something for revenue, but function for the town residents to use and employment opportunities,” said Mr Reed. “We’re all sensitive to the planning process.”

Mr Struna is familiar with the region and the commercial market, which could serve as a resource for the coming master plan review process.