One-Dollar Lease Proposal For FFH Moves Forward

By Kendra Bobowick

Officials are pushing forward, but have not yet finalized, terms for a $1 dollar lease concept for the Fairfield Hills campus.

Last week the Fairfield Hills Authority approved plans for a request for proposal (RFP) package to rent parcels for $1 for 30 years, but leaving the lessee responsible for building demolition and site remediation — costs that are currently included as part of a five-year town capital project spending plan. The authority, the town’s Economic Development Commission, and Planning and Community Development Director Elizabeth Stocker have collaborated to draft the RFP aimed at encouraging development on the site.

“It’s a new approach to try to attract [development] from a different angle,” said authority Vice Chairman Michael Holmes.

Ms Stocker had suggested that the town offer an RFP to developers with lease terms, “rather than waiting to hear [prospective developers’] proposals,” she said. Prior negotiations in have developed, but fallen through as the town and an investor tried to come to agreeable lease terms.

Ms Stocker said, “I think this will be attractive for developers and I hope it will bring in some proposals.” She said, “We still have challenges, but it’s a proactive approach.” If a project moves ahead “it would make the campus more attractive,” she said.

She intends to involve the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Finance, the Legislative Council, and other officials in the process. “I think is important is to have everyone in agreement of what terms will be,” she said.

 Economic Development Committee Chairman Don Sharpe said, “The idea is fairly simple.” The town, which has land to lease, can put out a request for proposal for developers and the successful bidder “if there is one,” he said, would pay $1 for 30-year-lease. The party must also put up a demolition bond with strict deadlines. “If the developer does not do the demo, the town would call the bond,” he said. “Buildings will not just sit there; they’re eyesores and fenced off with warnings about going too near.”

The RFP process “is an attempt to find way to move FFH forward,” Mr Sharpe said. “The buildings need fixing, rehabilitation, abatement.”

Once an RFP goes forward the town would collect money generated by a new building, Mr Sharpe said. “This is a way to be user friendly to developers.”

According to minutes from the authority’s October 17 meeting, discussion regarding the details of the proposal stated:

Rent for parcels at Fairfield Hills will be $1 for a lease term of 30 years, with an option to extend for up to 90 years; the lessee is responsible for remediation and/or demolition of any building and/or site; the lessee is responsible for obtaining a performance bond and must demolish and/or remediate the existing building within a predetermined timeframe; only buildings in the Commercial Development area of the Fairfield Hills Master Plan are subject to the RFP; new buildings must adhere to specific design criteria and building and zoning regulations; any other approval may be described and agreed upon by a joint Economic Development Commission/Fairfield Hills Authority Planning Subcommittee.

Authority member Andrew Willie moved to approve the RFP plan and Mr Holmes seconded the motion. Chairman Jim Bernardi, Mr Holmes, and members Ross Carley and Mr Willie voted Yes, and member Renata Adler abstained.

Mr Holmes moved that that once an RFP is drafted that satisfies the terms of the resolution, the Fairfield Hills Authority will recommend the RFP to the Board of Selectmen. Ross Carley seconded the motion. Mr Bernardi, Mr Holmes, Mr Carley and Mr Willie approved the motion. Ms Adler voted no.

Learn more about campus development at visit the Economic Development Commission section at newtown-ct.gov or e-mail fha@newtown-ct.gov.