State Grants May Boost FFH, Economic Redevelopment

By Kendra Bobowick

Alternative funding options are paying off, literally, for the Fairfield Hills Authority (FHA) members seeking additional finances for revamping the former state hospital campus.

A sum of $650,000 is scheduled to come down from the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), according to the department’s recent “letter of interest” supporting the authority’s decision to “close and secure several of the existing structures” at Fairfield Hills. Conservation Official Robert Sibley wrote the grant application.

Also this week, Newtown received a confirmation of a STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) grant from the state for the Commerce Park development adjacent to the Fairfield Hills property off Commerce Road (see related story).

During the summer authority members had voted to mothball — preserve — Newtown, Woodbury, and Stratford Halls and duplexes, Chairman Robert Geckle said. The deteriorating buildings will be protected for future use, and will receive repairs to prevent additional weather damage, for example.

These plans coincide with certain DECD incentives. The DECD letter stated, “This project is consistent with…[a] commitment to support local development initiatives and encourage the preservation and reuse of buildings…”

The DECD Executive Director of Infrastructure and Real Estate Chet Camarata explained, “The mothballing is a preservation measure; it’s really a measure…worthwhile to the community…we have common goals to reuse the structures.”

Mr Geckle said, “They zeroed in on [mothballing] as being eligible for grants.”

Several months ago authority members met with the state’s DECD representatives and, “most recently we talked about mothballing,” he said.

Ultimately, the buildings are destined for use in coming years. The master plan guiding the redevelopment of Fairfield Hills states, “a core area of the campus could be reserved for revenue generating economic development activities…”

The DECD letter alluded to the campus’s future potential, stating, “This project will create construction jobs and provide full-time employment opportunities in the newly renovated … buildings.”

Mr Camarata commented, “We are in the business of creating jobs and strengthening the community…”

The deal is not sealed yet, however.

Mr Camarata said, “This is really the initial stage in the application process.”

Planning subcommittee Chairman Amy Dent is pleased but cautious, “It’s not a done deal yet, but my impression is that it’s highly likely,” she said.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal said, “The grant is expected to be approved” pending Bond Commission review.

“Usually once we get to this point there is a strong likelihood we’ll get the money. We’re pleased to have [Governor M. Jodi Rell’s] and the DECD’s support.” A copy of the DECD letter also arrived at the first selectman’s office earlier this week.

The grant is part of an ongoing effort by authority members and town officials to secure outside funding for the project. Ms Dent has been part of the authority’s push to secure funds to bolster the town’s bonded money.

“I decided we needed to start looking for money to help us out,” she said.

The state is also firmly behind efforts to reuse buildings, she said. The $650,000 should cover much of the several halls’ and duplexes’ mothballing, although Ms Dent has not received firm cost estimates from Scott Baillie, preconstruction manager with O&G Industries, Inc.

The authority must now respond to stipulations requiring “a complete application package to include all financial and project information required,” according to the letter. Also, “Financial assistance is subject to the due diligence of the DECD and State Bonding Commission approval, availability of funding and FHA’s acceptance of all terms and conditions deemed necessary by DECD and the attorney general.”

Mr Geckle said the authority members would be putting together a comprehensive response. Completing the process and finalizing the grant “is some months away,” Mr Camarata said. He feels that the money should be used as soon as possible.

“Investing funds at this point will reduce costs,” Mr Camarata said. “If you let the structures continue to deteriorate the costs of rehabilitation may be higher.”

Mr Geckle also indicated that State Representative Julia Wasserman again played an important role in this grant opportunity.

 “Half a million dollars doesn’t come easy,” Ms Wasserman said. “[The authority members] did a lot of work.”

Also involved in the grants process is Community Development Director Elizabeth Stocker, who had accompanied authority members during discussions with the state. She is “hopeful” that funding will soon be in the authority’s hands, she said.

“I am always hopeful, always optimistic,” Ms Stocker said, noting that grant funding is “always helpful.”

The DECD money is one of several sources of grant funding supplementing the Fairfield Hills project. Already the authority has received a state grant of roughly $275,000 that is being used to update and improve electrical work on campus. Public Works Director Frederick Hurley confirmed that the work has begun.

The authority is also currently seeking grant funding of approximately $50,000 for the trails network. Authority member John Reed explained that the state will grant awards in October, and is hopeful the authority will receive the $50,000. Mr Reed also believes that the Fairfield Hills project is “in good stead” with the state, and carries several advantages when applying for funding.

“We have what a lot of other towns don’t have in place — a master plan,” he said. The Fairfield Hills project includes a detailed scope of expected work, phases of work, goals for the property’s use, and projections for economic and municipal benefits several years out to approximately 2013.

“It’s fully comprehensive,” Mr Reed said. The thorough outline may prove beneficial during the grants award process.

Mr Reed said, “Because of the comprehensive nature of the project and materials we were able to submit, we may receive a modest amount more than that.”

The roughly $21 million Fairfield Hills bonding package passed at a referendum in 2001, when voters approved the bonding for 186 acres that includes the main campus and a significant amount of undeveloped property. In recent weeks the authority has begun phases authorizing architectural design for baseball fields, trails, and parking, which uses portions of the bonded money. Mr Geckle and others have indicated that alternate sources of money such as grants would be necessary to supplement the cost of work.

Last month, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal indicating that $21 million for the assorted projects is based on estimates. Mr Geckle had also explained that the money does not reach as far today as it did five years ago.

Echoing points raised in past weeks, Ms Dent explained, “The bond issue passed way before we purchased the property. Costs from the time the projections were made until now have risen.”

Associate Editor John Voket contributed information to this story.