Details Reveal Signs Of Progress At Fairfield Hills

By Kendra Bobowick

Progress is visible in the details as Fairfield Hills renovations progress.

Preconstruction Manager Scott Baillie provided updates on waterproofing, drainage, and discussed recreational trails locations at the former state hospital facility this week during a Fairfield Hills Authority meeting.

Bridgeport Hall, almost certainly the prospective future town hall, is a step closer to being refurbished to house municipal offices relocated from the Edmond Town Hall.

“The contractor waterproofed basement walls and took advantage of remediation since the walls were open,” said Mr Baillie. “That is complete.”

Authority member Andrew Willie said, “We’re 90 percent sure that the new town hall will be attached to Bridgeport.”

Chairman Robert Geckle explained the authority’s thoughts for future town hall space.

“Our intentions are to build a new structure and probably attach it to Bridgeport Hall,” he said. A combination of the two would be used for a new town hall. Remaining areas of Bridgeport Hall can be renovated if money allows, Mr Geckle explained.

Decisions are not yet concrete.

“We still don’t have a final set of plans, options, and costs from the architects,” he said. Mr Geckle hopes that by the authority’s next meeting they will come closer to a decision, although they are still in the assessment phase.

“We’re still in the evaluation stage. The new square footage and existing square footage is most likely,” Mr Geckle said.

Soil remediation entailed excavating some earth around the foundations of buildings in order to remove possible contamination. At the same time, the waterproofing at Bridgeport Hall was completed.

Drainage piping also has been installed to reduce future water damage, he explained.

“You’ll never have to go waterproof or dig that up again,” Mr Baillie.

The overall project incorporates trails on the campus, which have raised questions in the past. Hiking and recreational walkways are intended to be part of the final product once Fairfield Hills campus is completely revamped; however, concerns about the trail way’s usage have come up in the past and uncertainties still remain.

Mr Baillie said, “We’re continuing to look at the trails. There is still a little question on trails and where they are going to go.”

Several months ago the Newtown Bridle Association, which already has established trails throughout the Fairfield Hills area, was concerned that the authority might pave some surfaces used by horses. Currently the authority is still assessing trails options.

In coming months Mr Willie hopes to see this and other decisions including the new town hall site finalized.

Regarding the likely location for municipal offices, he said, “Bridgeport is such a nice building and can be used for other cultural uses.”

Other future town hall considerations involved Shelton House, which has extensive water problems and presents costly repairs, Mr Willie explained.

Soon, a more inviting scene will greet residents and visitors to Fairfield Hills aside from remediation work, heavy machinery, and excavated earth clutter the campus grounds.

“We expect to see the engineer’s house fixed up and landscaped, and people can see a nice area when they come in,” Mr Willie said. The engineer’s house is a smaller brick structure on the corner directly across from Reed Intermediate School.

Ongoing work will include “as much soil remediation as possible,” he said. Mr Willie also hopes to see activity on the grounds.

“The authority does hope people will want to use the facilities like last summer with bands and fireworks,” he said.