Public Will Soon See Developer’s Letter

Of Intent For Woodbury Hall

By Kendra Bobowick

First Selectman Pat Llodra was hoping to have a letter of intent to lease Woodbury Hall ready to make public by March 29, but Wednesday afternoon she said that the document was still in draft form. She will make the letter available to The Bee as soon as she can, she said.

“I wanted all the pieces to be right,” the first selectman said. Earlier this month Claris Construction Inc President Phil Clark made clear his intent to invest in and build new on the Woodbury Hall site. He went before the Fairfield Hills Authority last week with architect’s drawings of a three-story building with his company offices on the top two floors and retail spaces on the first floor.

Speaking about the draft letter, Mrs Llodra said it “lays out concepts” for the design and rebuild plans proposed by the local business owner. The letter also contains specifics on the process for the lease as it progresses through town bodies and the public. “I want it to be right,” she said. Aiming to keep the details “clear from the outset,” she noted several inaccuracies in the draft letter she had first received that were being corrected as of Wednesday afternoon.

Overall, the prospect of economic improvements on the former state hospital campus “is exciting for Newtown,” she said.

The draft letter, now circulating between the town’s attorney and real estate broker Michael J. Struna’s office “includes concepts I want in the public,” Mrs Llodra said.

First, the letter makes clear that the developer will be removing Woodbury Hall — an expense Mr Clark is prepared to incur, as he has stated recently to the Fairfield Hills Authority.

Second, the letter describes that the project will be asking for a visual easement, which is “a brand new concept,” Mrs Llodra said.

Danbury Hall, which stands on the campus perimeter, interrupts a clear view of the Woodbury Hall site from Wasserman Way.

The developer will also be asking for Danbury’s removal. Mrs Llodra said the town would assume that expense. “That’s alright — it’s part of our plan.”

Originally Claris had wanted to build at the Danbury site. “Our master plan keeps that area clear,” Mrs Llodra had explained during discussions with Mr Clark in past weeks. “We wanted the perimeter of the campus unfettered.”

Mr Clark wants the view clear to showcase the Woodbury Hall site alongside a remodeled parklike central green with plantings, benches, and a flagpole there. The letter will also specify the investor’s interest in Newtown Hall, which faces Woodbury on the other side of this green.

Mrs Llodra considered the location as a whole saying, “He’s ready to improve retail presence in a central area.”

A third concept involves discussions about tax abatements available to Mr Clark. “The economics of this project have to be vetted,” she said. Viewing the project as a whole, she said, “We are appreciative of the $5–6 million investment and we want it to be successful,” adding. “These are big pieces, and I want there to be no misconception that anything is being done behind closed doors.”

Mr Clark last week also stressed that he needs to begin work as soon as possible. Authority members gave assurances that they would work with him to expedite this project.