Selectmen Vote Leases Back Into Play At Fairfield Hills

By Kendra Bobowick

Will developers interested in Fairfield Hills properties put a pen to the leases awaiting their signatures, or not?

“I’m hopeful,” said Fairfield Hills Authority Chairman Robert Geckle.

Recently developers’ interests in leasing and revamping former state hospital buildings into business, restaurant, and boutique space had wavered. What happened to the redevelopment project that had been progressing in the last year? Politics.

Last month’s elections have caused doubt about successful development on the parklike grounds. Specifically, November’s vote revealed a swell of uncertainty among newly elected officials. Last month brought in a leadership intent upon scrutinizing plans to relocate municipal and education office to Bridgeport Hall, and assess the benefits of leasing several viable buildings to developers, among other concerns.

Newly elected First Selectmen Joseph Borst has maintained since his campaign that he wants to review the Fairfield Hills plans and new town hall renovations in particular. Without the anchor of a town hall and municipal center to secure the overall project, developers were wary they would stand alone among empty buildings on the more than 180 acres purchased by the town.

North American Realty Advisory Services, LP, President Robert W. Barclay, who had worked with the authority to attract prospective developers, said Wednesday, “The town offices have been part of the interest for investors [developers]. If you want a restaurant, without a town hall it’s a ghost town…”

Plans that were nearly stalled by doubts among the Independent Party of Newtown (IPN) members, for one, changed swiftly this week when Selectmen Paul Mangiafico made a motion enabling the project to move forward without further delay.

Immediately seconded by Selectman Herb Rosenthal, the two favorable votes were met with a terse “no” from First Selectman Borst.

The heated meeting Monday saw most of the Fairfield Hills Authority members, Legislative Council members, Board Finance chairman, and several IPN members all waiting to see if the board would take action on the Fairfield Hills debate. Before making the motion to proceed with plans on hold since the early November change in leadership, Selectman Mangiafico had noted, “This is not a win/lose situation.” Fairfield Hills is a divisive topic, however, as became clear when Mr Mangiafico motioned to move ahead because, for one, he saw no prevailing reason to stop, he said.

Monday’s two-to-one vote outnumbered Mr Borst’s determination to wait and evaluate projects at Fairfield Hills. He had hoped for time to assess the new municipal building plans this week, and make a decision about the overall project at a later date. As he had stressed during the meeting and in past interviews with The Newtown Bee, he was not telling anyone to stop the project. Mr Mangiafico felt that with developers quickly looking for an exit since the change in town leadership, time was of the essence. Mr Mangiafico’s motion established the board’s position.

He said, “We will continue moving along the present plan regarding the use of Bridgeport Hall in Fairfield Hills and encourage the commercial use of the duplexes, Stratford, and Newtown Halls as currently planned.”­ This position may be the affirmation of the town’s devotion to the project that developers need to see. Mr Geckle said, “The town showing commitment was an important part of the process.”

Pleased to have an answer, he said after the meeting, “We have said all along that we need an answer, and we preferred this direction. We felt it’s a reaffirmation of where we’re going.”

By Tuesday morning he had called prospective developers, including Hawley Realty, which has plans to renovate space in Newtown Hall for Danbury Hospital to expand services. “I’ve got calls out to all of them,” he said. Regarding the deal involving space for Danbury Hospital especially, Mr Geckle noted the “keen interest” on behalf of both the hospital and Hawley Realty.

Stratford Hall and the duplexes are areas for would-be boutiques and office space if leases prevail. Also, independently, resident Peter D’Amico is building a sports complex, which is underway.

Stressing another point of contention Monday evening was IPN founder and newly elected Legislative Councilmember Po Murray, who took the opportunity to voice doubts prior to the selectmen’s vote. “I want to see the cost benefits of lease agreements,” she had said. Cost analysis had been among her campaign points while running for her council seat.

What if the town chose not to market the buildings? Wednesday, authority member Amy Dent said leaving the buildings alone is not an option. “They’re deteriorating, they’re a liability. You can’t say the alternative is to do nothing.” Why not postpone the decision to lease the buildings? “That no longer makes sense,” she said.

Again bringing the municipal offices slated for Bridgeport Hall into play she continued, “People have lined up because the municipal building is an anchor.”

Ms Murray will not receive concrete answer to the tax return buildings will generate, for one reason in particular. “You can’t tell what taxes you’re going to get until you know what’s going in the building,” Ms Dent said.

Making a final point, Ms Dent explained, “One other thing needs to be said. People keep talking about how we shouldn’t spend money on a municipal building. There is a presumption that we don’t have to spend anything.” She reminds residents of costs to rent space for the education department in the Kendro Building on Peck’s Lane, which are significant, she said. Also thinking of the Edmond Town Hall now housing municipal staff, she said, “The town hall needs substantial renovation.”

Mr Geckle quotes a loss of $1.8 million in lease payments if plans had stopped. Also left on the table would be an approximate $100,000 in annual common area charges and about $75,000 annually in potential real estate taxes.

How about doing nothing? Mr Geckle has three reasons why not. The deteriorating buildings eventually would crumble. Mothballing the brick buildings would cost money, and asbestos abatement and lead paint remediation would become necessary. Mr Geckle cites six-and seven-figure costs for the mothballing and remediation.