Nunnawauk Housing Expansions,

Outdoor Band Shell Enter FFH Discussions

By Kendra Bobowick

An outdoor band shell is among “a few things in the loop right now” regarding plans for Fairfield Hills, First Selectman Pat Llodra said July 20. In addition to the discussions for an outdoor performance area are talks with the Nunnawauk Meadows Board of Directors regarding land trades for the age-restricted and affordable housing complex adjacent to Fairfield Hills, and news that Kevin’s Community Center Board of Directors have decided they cannot meet the financial commitment to retrofit and maintain one of the duplexes even with a $500,000 grant. (See related story on A-1.)

Mrs Llodra read a letter she received from the Nunnawauk board to the Fairfield Hills Authority Wednesday evening, and after offering her thoughts, Chairman John Reed, lacking a quorum, canceled the meeting.

The letter expressed “interest in beginning to investigate the expansion of Nunnawauk Meadows.” The letter proposes a swap of 45 acres of its property that connects with the water towers at Fairfield Hills with land on the Fairfield Hills campus, noting the land is “something more suitable to our seniors.”

In the letter, Nunnawauk Executive Director Linda E. Manganaro writes, “We might be interested in the use of an existing building or property which is in close proximity to our complex.” Cochran House is near Nunnawauk Meadows, but Mrs Llodra clarified that that particular building has never been specified as the desired location. Ms Manganaro wrote, “If a swap is possible, we would need our architects to view the property to see if it is feasible to renovate any existing buildings according to our needs.” She sought a date to meet and discuss possibilities.

Dr Reed said he would like to grant them the ability to let their architects determine cost estimates.

“They’re asking to do an analysis of costs. To me, that’s the first step,” Dr Reed explained. He wants to know ahead of time if they think they can afford renovations, for one. Referring to failed plans with Kevin’s Community Center, he said, “We just did a well-intended five-year waltz to realize it’s not going to work.” Looking a step ahead, he said that if Nunnawauk can confirm its interest, “We need some elected group to proceed, because this is housing.”

Mrs Llodra said that housing for the elderly often receives federal or state dollars, but asked, “Is this a different conversation about housing because of the point of origin, or the same?” In past months a developer had made a formal expression of interest to renovate Cochran House into apartment units, which received mixed reactions. Meanwhile, the Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee is in the process of finalizing recommendations to the Board of Selectmen regarding preferred use of the campus. In a recent public survey, the public also provided mixed feedback to the committee on the topic of housing.

Noting that the authority and officials owe Nunnawauk board members a well considered response, he said, “They’re neighbors, already on the block and offering services and acreage which could be open space for the town.” He vowed to take upon himself, he said, to tell the board to “do your cost estimates.”

“Let’s be honest,” he continued, “everyone who has done it arrives at the conclusion that it’s just cost prohibitive.” He will let members know if the Nunnawauk architects feel it is viable to commit to a building.

Mrs Llodra added, “They said land or building. There is an opportunity to remove a building and rebuild.”

Again regarding the issue of housing, which authority member James Bernardi noted is not necessarily popular, Dr Reed added, “We’re asking an elected body to step up and say if it’s a good idea or not.”

A Band Shell/Outdoor Performance Area

Another topic, which has come up several times in past years, is the idea for an outdoor theater/band shell/performance area. Then-Fairfield Hills Authority member Walt Motyka had first mentioned the idea in the past several years and more recently, State Representative Christopher Lyddy and Mrs Llodra were thinking about applying for state funds to take down buildings on the campus and continue infrastructure work.

“Those were my priorities,” Mrs Llodra told the authority Wednesday.

Mr Lyddy learned otherwise, she said.

“[Mr Lyddy] told me that the state was not interested in investing in projects to take down buildings or bury [infrastructure] underground. They are more interested in creating, so we looked at a band shell.”

Initial estimates for a completed band shell with outdoor seating, landscaping, etc were $3.7 million, which is not something the first selectman believes the bonding commission will support. She, Mr Motyka, and Director of Community Development Elizabeth Stocker have been considering a phased project, pared down to $1.5 million, for a performance area “that can be developed over time.”

“We need to demonstrate a capacity to grow that campus to serve the community,” Mrs Llodra said Wednesday night, “and if this is a way to do it, then do it.”

Before continuing discussions this week, Dr Reed apologized to those in attendance and said, “I feel badly, it’s not something I like to do, but I think we’ll call it a night.” He did not want people to infer that “we’re making decisions,” he said, and called off the meeting.