(rshsdepot) Fairfield, CT (new station)

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Train Station development deal successfully negotiated

By: Chris Ciarmiello, Staff reporter May 17, 2002
Fairfield Minuteman

Only one month after an Independence Hall meeting room was filled with the
sounds of First Selectman Kenneth Flatto's gavel and developer Kurt Wittek's
angry objections, the two were all smiles on Monday as they jointly took a
major step toward creating the town's long-awaited third train station.

Flatto and Wittek, a partner at Stamford-based Blackrock Realty, signed a
four-page memorandum of understanding, laying the groundwork for the train
station and 930,000 square-foot commercial development at the former
Bullards manufacturing site near Commerce Drive.
The project would provide the town with much-needed tax revenue, as well as
spaces for most of the 1,500-plus people currently on a commuter parking
waiting list, according to town officials.
"I stood at this podium a few weeks ago ... and the environment in this room
was significantly different," Wittek told the Board of Selectmen on Monday
afternoon. "We're glad it took this direction at the end."
At the April meeting that Wittek referenced, Blackrock Realty officials
fumed when Flatto presented his reworking of former First Selectman John
Metsopoulos' plan, including plans for the town to acquire part of the
35.6-acre site from the developer by eminent domain or condemnation, if
necessary.
But having reopened negotiations about two weeks ago, both Flatto and
Blackrock Realty officials now say that the new deal is one that will
benefit all parties.
Under the revised plan, the train depot, an entrance bridge from Kings
Highway East, and nearby road improvements would to be completed within 3 to
4 years of the plan's approval, Flatto said. Up to 30,000 square feet of
retail and commercial space inside the depot could also be ready by that
time, with the bulk of 900,000 square feet of office space being phased in
over the next decade or so.
According to preliminary estimates, the town would earn $700,000 in tax
revenue from the site within three years of the plan's approval, Flatto
said. That number would escalate to $2 million by the 10th year after
approval.
Flatto said he hopes that a final contract between the town, developer, and
the Connecticut Department of Transportation will be reached by mid-June.
The boards of selectmen and finance and the Representative Town Meeting
would then have to approve the town's portion of funding for the project,
expected to be about $6 million.
State officials did not return a phone call on Tuesday regarding the plan,
but Flatto said he believes that "we have their blessing."
Monday, the Board of Selectmen approved $65,000 for work that is needed to
complete the final contract, such as environmental site assessments. The
finance board and RTM also must approve that funding.
The details
The plan calls for the town to purchase approximately 9 acres of the site -
to be selected by the developer - on which it would build at least 1,500
commuter parking spaces. The town would pay $3.75 million for the land, plus
an additional $6.06 million for: environmental clean-up and construction of
the parking area; the removal of the main Bullards factory building, which
is located where the parking area is expected to be; and off-site road
improvements.
The town would bond $6 million for its share of the project costs, with the
other $4 million coming through federal grants.
The new station would be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act,
as per the state's requirements and would make it the only compliant train
station in Fairfield.
The state would shoulder the bulk of the initial costs, paying $16 million
to $25 million to construct the train platforms and a bridge that would
serve as the station's main exit and entry. The bridge would begin on Kings
Highway East between Frank and Timko streets and run over the train tracks,
ending up near the parking area.
According to the memorandum, Blackrock Realty would give the state no more
than 2.2 acres on which to build the platforms and the bridge.
The firm would also donate land to the town on which the train depot and
ancillary commercial/retail space would be constructed. That area, which
would be up to 30,000 square feet, would be leased to Blackrock Realty for
$1 per year for 49 years. The firm is expected to sublet the space to
tenants that include a hotel chain, restaurants, a day-care facility, and a
health club.
At least 2,000 square feet of that depot area would be used for a commuter
waiting area, the construction of which would be financed by Blackrock
Realty. It would include about 500 square feet of police and emergency
services space, and, potentially, a state-operated ticket booth.
Flatto said he hopes that no more than three or four businesses will be
affected by the state's construction of the bridge. The actual number won't
be known for sure until the state completes design drawings. Flatto said the
town will work closely with those affected businesses to help them relocate.
Developer: "Bigger guys" make deal possible
Wittek openly acknowledged the tense political situation that developed
regarding the train station. Metsopoulos, when he was first selectman, had
reached a deal for a 1.3 million square-foot train station development last
year before Flatto defeated him in November's election. Metsopoulos' deal
was not approved by any town bodies, and Flatto restructured the plan when
he took office.
Wittek praised Metsopoulos for continuing to support the third train station
concept, even though the plan has significantly changed.
He also praised Flatto for returning to the negotiating table after
Blackrock Realty officials had balked at the first selectman's original
reworking of the plan. "It takes somebody of substance to come back to the
table" after such a difficult impasse, Wittek said.
Referring to both Flatto and Metsopoulos, he said, "I think it takes some
bigger guys to do what's been done."

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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #378
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org