Date: Fri 21-May-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Fairfield-Hills-HMA-economic

Full Text:

Town Picks A Firm To Do Fairfield Hills Economic Analysis

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The town is expected to hire a highly-regarded Hamden firm to conduct an

economic development analysis for the use of Fairfield Hills.

The study, to be conducted by Harrall-Michalowski Associates (HMA), will be

used to assist the town in determining whether or not it should purchase the

186-acre core campus from the state. Four private developers are now

considering the property and will submit their bids to the state in July.

However, Newtown will ultimately have the right of first refusal on the

property. HMA will serve as an agent, ensuring that Newtown has all the facts

before making a final decision. The cost of the Fairfield Hills land is

expected to be somewhere between $8-12 million.

On Monday, HMA officials Richard Harrall and Roy O'Neil met with the Board of

Selectmen, and were expected to be hired later this week. The planning and

development consultants are already familiar with Newtown, having conducted

the Hawleyville/Exit 9 study for the town two years ago. It recently completed

an economic impact study of a piece of land in Vernon that is similar in size

to the Fairfield Hills parcel in question.

The analysis would include a review of the proposals from the four development

teams as well as an alternative approach wherein the town would purchase the

property. The study would provide the town with a basis for comparison of the

submitted proposals and the town purchase option in terms of short and long

term fiscal and economic impacts, as well as consistency with community

objectives.

Each of the four selected developers are being required by the state to submit

a detailed analysis of projected employment, projected state and local tax

revenue, and projected costs to both the town and the state. HMA proposes to

complete a similar analysis for the town's purchase option, including such

uses as: town offices, schools, municipal golf course and open space.

HMA has already recommended that the town not buy the land for a mixed use --

using some of the property for municipal space and some for private

development.

At the conclusion of the study, HMA would prepare a "comprehensive matrix"

which compares all development options.

"This matrix will provide the town with a framework for comparison and

ultimate decision making relative to site purchase," noted Mr Harrall. "This

process will also provide the town with an independent analysis of the impacts

on the town resulting from the various developer proposals."

The firm is expected to meet with the Fairfield Hills advisory committee,

which is charged with reviewing the pros and cons of the town's purchase

versus the pros and cons of sale to one of the four developers.

The four prospective developers are: Becker and Becker Associates, Inc of New

Canaan, the Community Builders, Inc of New Haven, SBC Associates, LLC of

Greenwich, and Wilder Balter Partners, LLC of Elmsford, NY.

Each of the four firms has listed residential development as a major component

of a "mixed-use" scenario for the property.

State officials have not set a price for the property, saying the selling

price will depend upon the uses to which the property is put.