FFH Authority Reviews

Marketing Appeal To Developers

By Kendra Bobowick

They called it a draft, just a draft — a document subject to revision, but a tentative step toward shaping future commerce within the beckoning vacant brick buildings and land that formerly served as a state psychiatric hospital. Fairfield Hills Chairman Robert Geckle was referring to a 16-page packet with pages splashed generously with photos of buildings at Fairfield Hills, and topographical overviews of the campus’s proximity to main routes, including Interstate 84. The package is intended for developers.

Quick paragraphs held descriptions and overviews of the buildings and their potential for commercial development and land that also holds future commercial opportunities. North American Realty Advisory Services, LP President Robert W. Barclay said, “Here is a package we have developed [with] things that really get developers interested. They can see the buildings, their proximity…”

Mr Barclay has met with both the authority and a subcommittee in the past to determine opportunities to market the land and buildings. With Mr Barclay’s guidance, the authority has settled on leasing the buildings and parcels that may appeal to developers. Most recently members have grappled with creating interest among the corporate and retail world. For example, authority members hope to draw attention from those who might want to establish a headquarters on the campus, open a boutique or retail outlet, or possibly bring a restaurant to the centrally located area of Newtown. They also are working in accordance with the master plan — an overall guide to the Fairfield Hills campus’s future reuse and development for municipal, recreational, economic, and commercial activities. Planners envision a professional, retail, and municipal mix within a rustic and recreational setting.

This latest draft is essentially a means of presenting an at-a-glance look at Fairfield Hills campus that will eventually be marketed for lease.

Mr Barclay said, “We have a good package, easily read by anyone.” He also mentioned that some of the details included business incentives. The end of the draft explains the town’s business goals including Newtown’s Business Incentive Program, which is intended to “encourage private investment, improve the appearance of the community, expand the local economic base…and foster a healthy business climate.” Incentives may include one-time subsidies, the draft states.

Tuesday evening, Mr Barclay told the authority he has been in contact with several developers.

“I have spoken to one in New York City who wants to come up, one from Westchester who learned about [Fairfield Hills],” he said. Mr Barclay urged the authority to move forward with a final Request For Proposal (RFP) saying, “I think we’re ready to go to the public arena,” after the board and town review the draft.

Mr Geckle and others agreed that they would read through the draft and consider arranging a final document. He said, “So our goal is to get this into shape…” He anticipates progress by December’s authority meeting. The authority is also considering placing a final draft on a website. Mr Barclay also recommended that the authority pose the RFP without a deadline for proposals. As the authority concluded its meeting Mr Geckle said, “We need to review it.”