Fairfield Hills Review Panel Holds First Community Conversation

By John Voket and

Kendra Bobowick

Before breaking off into revolving discussion groups at Edmond Town Hall March 16, Ben Roberts and facilitator/consultant Rosa Zubizarreta opened the first of two “Community Conversations” seeking comment, and possibly some consensus, on future uses for the Fairfield Hills campus.

The activity, which drew about 25 residents and a handful of town officials and appointees to the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee, also revealed a number of observations that came from a weekend focus group the committee conducted recently.

On March 5 and 6, that group of roughly 18 volunteers convened for two days with Ms Zubizarreta and representatives from the review committee to bring the public’s thoughts into the Fairfield Hills reuse conversation.

“They had a lot of enthusiasm and were creative in their thinking,” said Mr Roberts who is a review committee member, and “at least a few people recognized that we’re not where we want to be” as the group — a microcosm council — worked to bring the conversation about Fairfield Hills “alive for people.”

One of the focus group participants, Mike Marinacchio told the group Wednesday that in his assessment, future use options for Fairfield Hills present a “very complicated issue.”

“But it’s very important we get it right,” he added. Overall, he said, the tone of that weekend was “very respectful,” and said most if not all participants came away believing they each provided significant input into the process that will lead to some eventual decisions about the town-owned campus and former state hospital.

Committee member Paul Lundquist said he was impressed with how willing the group was in exploring diverse options for the site, and that individual ideas were really rooted in common themes among focus group participants.

During a PowerPoint review of the focus group outcomes, Mr Roberts noted the group’s concern that Newtown mount a fresh look at the master plan for development of the campus. Other suggestions included taking down all the buildings as soon as possible, with the idea that waiting would just drive up the cost of demolition due to inflation. Others felt that outcome would also enhance the property’s attraction to more commercial development.

Others blamed the town’s neglect of the existing buildings as a reason why they were in such bad shape today, and some from the focus group called for a full accounting of taxpayer money spent to date on the facility.

Mr Roberts said most agreed that Fairfield Hills needs to have a draw or core destination that would draw a diverse level of usage from cultural to recreational, to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Some of the most progressive ideas included the construction of a sports arena on par with the Harbor Yard complex in Bridgeport, or a multiplex theater complex or cultural arts center that could also be used for large-scale banquet or convention programs

Although, Mr Roberts and fellow committee member Deborra Zukowski said, the group also rejected the idea of “big box” development on the site, along with certain commercial uses like manufacturing. Instead, Ms Zukowski said the focus panel favored “niche businesses like restaurants or a horse boarding facility, as well as agricultural activities like a community garden or similar venture that would “fit in with a larger vision.”

At the same time, the group reached no consensus about integrating housing at Fairfield Hills, instead recommending a townwide survey of housing needs that would naturally incorporate Fairfield Hills as part of the greater framework for community housing options.

The group looked into how to complete and pay for possible building demolition, including making a future commercial developer cover the cost, or through other public/private partnerships that could generate grants or other funding streams. Speaking to the group this week, Mr Roberts admitted, “If we can’t implement a full plan, we at least have to have a clear focal point to help develop a strong, compelling vision” for Fairfield Hills’ future use.

Information derived from this week’s conversation and a final meeting March 23 will help review committee members formulate questions for a townwide survey to circulate in coming weeks.

Residents are encouraged to attend that second community session which will run from 6:30 to 9 pm, at the Edmond Town Hall. The second conversation will build upon the first, Mr Roberts said, so participation by those who attended March 16 was encouraged.