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Minutes of the Meeting
Tuesday September 13, 2005
The former Pitney Bowes Main Plant, 69 Wheeler Drive
Board member, Patrick Philbin, chaired the meeting, opening the proceedings at 6:30 p.m. introducing Ted Lane of Antares Real Estate Services, LLC. Mr. Lane gave an update on the development of the Admirals Wharf and Pitney Bowes sites. Mr. Lane reaffirmed many points made by Rick Redness, Frank Janos, and Bill Hennessey, at the last monthly meeting in July.
The Army Corps of Engineer will improve the current hurricane wall and an esplanade created behind it that will be an extension of the Mill River Corridor. Except for the historic brick building on the corner of Crosby and Pacific Streets all of the other structures on the whole Main Plant site are slated for demolition. (The Pitney Bowes sign would stay).
Ted Lane emphasized that the scope of the project (60 acres) Antares wants to spend the time up front to do the development design right. It might take up to 8 months before they have a plan for the Pitney Bowes property. The developer is working on zoning issues for the Pitney Bowes property. Currently housing is not allowed. While Pitney Bowes had approvals from the zoning board for some of the changes made to the Master Plan before they sold it, they had only started the process for any possible changes a buyer might want to present to Zoning. The Admirals Wharf property is set with a DWD (Design Waterfront Development)
designation.
Bids for demolition of almost a million square feet of space are being accepted.
A resident voiced concern that the demolition would present a rodent problem in the neighboring blocks. Mr. Lane said the issue would be addressed. Mr. Lane also expressed the developer’s intention of making Washington Blvd. the centerpiece of the new development , hopefully removing the Dyke Lane jog. He reiterated the developer’s vision of a pedestrian landscape with the focus on the waterfront.
Building heights were as yet undetermined. Rumors of a bridge crossing over the lower West Branch Channel seem to be only talk, to date.
Police Chief Larrabee was introduced and fielded questions/complaints.
Resident John Karamon said something should be done about motorcycles roaring down neighborhood streets; resident John Derosa expressed concern that poor lighting and shadows were contributing to a resurfacing of old problems around the Atlantic-Garden- Pacific St area; resident Terry Adams asked if a patrol car could be reposted more often at the old firehouse on Henry-Pacific St corner; drug addicts, including women, were observed to be more prevalent in Woodland Park.
Lt Nivakoff promised to get some reassigned officers back out patrolling the streets on foot. He provided again the anonymous call-in complaint number: 977 4444.
After Patrick Philbin applauded Sgt White’s many years of effort improving public safety in the South End. Chief Larrabee stated that there was nothing he could do to rescind the Department’s union contractual obligation to replace Sgt White in his South End assignment.
Patricia Gallegos gave an update on the proposed new Public Health facility on
Atlantic Street. Unfortunately the City is still waiting for the State of Connecticut
to approve the bond. It’s still not on the agenda. The Federal Government recently awarded $300,000 for more public health staffing in the South End and Waterside community.
CTE has been asked to allow Health Services to park some modular units in the space just west of the Community Center. There is a great demand for the services and there is a need for a larger facility. The Federal funding provides for a sliding reimbursement scale.
No one in medical need is turned away. Bi-lingual assistance is offered and there are expanded hours Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
The City of Stamford and the Stamford Partnership have very recently brought in two consultants, John Shapiro an urban planner and Rob Lane an architect both worked with the community a few years back on the Enterprise Zone and Master plans. Their objective is to pull together all the development pieces, existing plans and documents including the Mill River Plan, the Urban Transitway, and the Harbor Master Plan. They intend to produce a draft for review in four to six weeks. They will be dealing with such issues as brownfields, B & S Carting, and gentrification. John Shapiro stated that there would be no superstores or large office district. He said stakeholders could meet with the Partnership’s consultants and talk openly. This NRZ meeting was the first of such exchanges .
Lorell Guydon reminded those in attendance of the Stamford Public Health and Environmental Community Forum to be held September 29th 5 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at 441 Canal Street.
Patrick Philbin closed the meeting at 7:45 pm.
| December 2005 | November 2005 | October 2005 |
| September 2005 | June 2005 | May 2005 |
| January 2005 | December 2004 | November 2004 |
| October 2004 | September 2004 | July 2004 |
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