FFH Parcel Marked For Development

By Kendra Bobowick

Following more than an hour of sometimes tense discussion among Fairfield Hills Authority members, a specified cluster of campus buildings emerged as the primary parcel intended for development. This is an area designated for commercial lease outside of plans for a new town hall and municipal space.

Clearly defining the parcel’s boundaries was authority member William Lavery who specified the area from Woodbury Hall, Newtown Hall, the duplexes, Canaan House, Stratford Hall, Plymouth Hall, Stamford Hall, and Norwalk Hall.

The next critical step is attracting developers interested in the long-vacant state hospital buildings and eventually forming a request for proposal (RFP).

With optimism, Chairman Robert Geckle said, “I think someone will come to the dance.”

Authority members first defined the parcel, then further moved to hire North American Realty Advisory Services, which has been consulting the authority about the campus’s real estate potential. Mr Lavery said, “I propose to turn this over to [North American Realty] for economic development and let [Mr Barclay] make suggestions…Let him come up with something feasible.”

The authority will request that the realty group begin work on an “opportunity package” that may appeal to future tenants Mr Geckle said. He wants the realty group to “give us a sense if anyone is interested” in the parcel in either pieces or as a whole.

With a future RFP in mind, Mr Geckle said, “The plan is to actually go out and see if there is any interest in the marketplace.” He now looks to the realty group to execute a marketing plan and essentially start “testing” the market. He also senses that the firm may have several professionals in mind, he said.

With a marketing plan and eventual RFP approaching draft stages, members weighed the possibilities of one or several developers taking interest in the campus.

Contemplating responses a proposal for development might gain, Mr Geckle mentioned one option saying, “It’s possible to have a master developer come back and want the rights to the entire parcel.”

If the parcel’s marketing plan is too limiting, however, authority member Moira Rodgers said, “Someone appealing might not be attracted to us.”

Mr Geckle said, “I think we can get someone for part or for all of [the buildings].” He also stressed that as Mr Barclay had mentioned during consultations, a financially stable entity is desirable.

“[Mr Barclay] hopes for the ability to get to people who develop on their own net worth rather than financing,” he said.

“I think it’s a beautiful campus and a beautiful setting,” Mr Geckle noted.

Fairfield Hills land will always remain town property while long-term leasing options will apply to tenants in renovated or newly built buildings.

According to the master plan for Fairfield Hills, the top preferences for reuse include office space, medical or dental offices, research and development facilities, restaurants excluding drive-throughs, museum, library, outdoor sports fields, commercial or public recreation facility — indoor or outdoor, fitness center, outdoor sports fields. Mr Barclay had indicated that the campus would make an ideal corporate headquarters.

Mr Barclay has already made several presentations to Fairfield Hills Authority members detailing his proposal for leasing structures on the campus.