October 15 Brings Fairfield Hills Lease Hearings

Residents will have a chance Monday, October 15, to hear about lease proposals for properties at Fairfield Hills.

Public hearings will be held at 7 pm at the C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, to consider proposals for two interested parties. The Town of Newtown is looking to lease duplex buildings 59, 60, and 61 to William Mangold Construction LLC, and buildings 63 and 58 to Naveen and Pushpa Kapur. Per a recent public act signed by Governor M. Jodi Rell, public hearings are now required for municipal property transfers prior to final lease approvals.

The duplexes flanking Washington Square within the Fairfield Hills campus will become part of the revitalization and economic development efforts at the former state hospital campus. William Mangold said recently that he intends to refurbish and sublease his buildings to professionals. Encouraged by the town’s efforts to infuse the campus with recreational, business, and retail activity, he had said, “These [duplexes] will be great for professional people…Fairfield Hills is really going to be a destination place.” The Kapurs could not be reached for comment.

Although entering lease arrangements with private parties, the town will retain ownership of land and buildings at Fairfield Hills.

Already in play at Fairfield Hills is the renovation of Bridgeport Hall for use as municipal and education department offices, the plans for constructing Newtown Youth Academy, a private sports complex, and the nearly completed 90-foot baseball diamond. Fairfield Hills Authority Chairman Robert Geckle believes that the authority will soon entertain additional lease proposals.