Will Authority Consider Housing At Fairfield Hills?

By Kendra Bobowick

Housing.

Fairfield Hills Authority Chairman John Reed approached the word carefully Wednesday, June 16.

He mentioned an “abstract matter,” asking, “What if we get an offer [to lease a building slated for reuse] that really does not fit approved uses?”

Housing had not been part of the overall established preferences for the former state hospital buildings’ future uses per the master plan for redevelopment.

While he noted that the authority “takes its marching orders” from the first selectman’s office, he added that the authority is “sensitive to evaluations” of the site. The authority should be open to discussion and consideration of “usage change” from the established preferred uses for the buildings, and “gather facts before making decisions,” he suggested.

“If someone says, ‘housing,’” Mr Reed said, ensuing discussions will “produce a lot of energy.” After recent discussions with First Selectman Pat Llodra, he agreed that officials should not confuse a willingness to look at possibilities before saying no, he said.

He conveyed to authority members that he told Mrs Llodra, “That thinking is something our group would welcome.”

While some of the sprawling brick structures are slated for demolition, others are marked for reuse, and the authority, economic development-minded officials, and one real estate broker are working to market the buildings to prospective tenants. At the same time, a recently appointed Fairfield Hills Master Plan Review Committee has begun its evaluations, which include a fresh look at campus uses.

Mrs Llodra was out of the office Thursday, June 17, and could not be reached for comment. J. Michael Struna of Advantage Realty, who is the sole broker for Fairfield Hills, and Mr Reed were also was unavailable for comment in time for publication.