With economic development on the rise in Trumbull, here is a look at some of the top projects – CTPost

TRUMBULL The town has never been known for its walkability or nightlife, but that could be changing as a number of economic development projects either near completion or the beginning of construction.

The town has seen several new development projects begin construction this year, from the Woodside Trumbull townhouse and apartment complex to Ecco, an eagerly anticipated new restaurant opening soon on Main Street.

Other projects, such as the Residences at Main, located on the Westfield Trumbull mall property, will put future residents within walking distance of shopping and public transit. Disused office space will be converted to senior residences at 48 Monroe Tpke., also with easy pedestrian access to shopping and dining.

Trumbull is also looking into making the area around the Trumbull Center shopping center more pedestrian friendly, and the Board of Education plans to open a student-run bookstore and cafe later this year in the center.

First Selectman Vicki Tesoro and Economic Director Rina Bakalar have touted the economic benefits of these projects, from increased economic activity to additional tax revenue.

Here is a look at some of the projects underway, recently completed or under consideration in town.

The housing development at 5065 Main Street was made possible through a 2018 zoning change. It is expected to include 260 apartments, with one and two bedrooms, to be rented at market rates. According to Garden Homes and Rose Equities, which described them as luxury apartments, the complex will cater to professionals and seniors. The total cost is $60 million and the project is scheduled to break ground on October 15.

But the apartments will also reflect efforts to make the town more walkable, and give it a sense of place. Tesoro said this would make the area more livable instead of residents being forced to drive everywhere. This is becoming a trend nationally as more developers are converting malls to mixed use facilities.

The concept is really a live, work, play concept that most malls are evolving to, Tesoro said.

United Healthcare formerly occupied a sprawling office complex on 48 Monroe Tpke., but vacated the property in 2015. It has been empty ever since.

In 2018, Senior Living Development and Silver Heights Development bought the property, which includes a parking garage. The plan is to convert the property to an independent and assisted living complex known as Rivers Edge.

Because the property was formerly a corporate headquarters, the developers will give the facade more of a residential appearance, adding balconies and a walkway, in addition to interior remodeling.

The site was the subject of a lawsuit attempting to halt construction. But the suit was dismissed in 2020 and the towns Planning and Zoning Commission approved the housing complex plan in September. Construction is on track to start in 2022.

Tesoro said the housing will be a boon to the local economy and provide a healthy source of tax revenue.

The implications for the community are so strong there in order to be able to keep our seniors in town and, allow them to stay here and allow the community to grow around that area, she said. And of course, the tax revenue that will come from that development will be exceptional for every resident in our town.

The complex will cost an estimated $110 million to build.

The first residents are now renting units within the Woodside Trumbull property, located at 100 Woodside Court, even as construction continues. New tenants to Woodside Trumbull can expect to see a club room with a coffee lounge, where they can unwind and mingle with other residents. A pool, fitness room, dog park and co-working space with Wi-Fi are among the other amenities listed on the propertys site.

The complex is about a mile from Trumbull Center.

According to Bakalar, the property is proving to be attractive to renters.

Theres 113 completed and theyre all leased, Bakalar said.

When complete the $40 million development will include 199 housing units.

The Trumbull Center shopping center at Daniels Farm Road and White Plains Road boasts restaurants and other retail businesses. But a new bookstore and coffee shop will combine both, with an educational component to boot.

The school systems ELITE Program teaches students with disabilities and those students will staff a bookstore called Next Chapter Books and More. The stores purpose is to teach the students valuable work and life skills. Not only will they learn how to stock inventory and interact with customers, they will also learn practical skills like how to navigate a crosswalk and use banking services, according to the Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Services Tammy Hartman.

The store will be housed on the second floor above Gioves Pizza. It will source its inventory from donations. The coffee comes from a local gourmet roaster and the baked goods will be prepared off site by Trumbull High Schools culinary program.

The store is expected to open on December 1.

Moorefield was the site of a flower and herb growing operation, but is now undergoing construction to build single family homes. Like Rivers Edge, the property will house seniors but will not be for rent. The property is located on 2157 Huntington Tpke. and was cleared for construction in April.

There will be 10 houses in total on the 5-acre property. According to Ken Martin, a real estate agent, the homes will start at $750,000 and will be age-restricted to 55 and older. The houses will be between 2,800 and 3,000 square feet.

Martin said the property is generating interest from people in Trumbull and across the state and country.

We have people from Colorado that have a deposit. We have a couple from Trumbull. We have a couple from Windsor, Martin said.

The homes are expected to be completed by spring of 2022.

Local gourmets wishing to partake in fine dining are in luck. Ecco, owned by the same local group that operates Molto in Fairfield, among other restaurants, is currently under construction at the Long Hill Market on 6540 Main Street. It will share space with other tenants and while construction was previously expected to wrap up by early summer, the restaurant is now on track for a November opening.

Bakalar said anticipation was building for the opening among people familiar with the other locations.

They had some delays, but theyre working feverishly on it now. The signage went up a few weeks ago, Bakalar said.

Other tenants include a martial arts studio, a salon, and a Dunkin among others. Bakalar said the property is now 85 percent occupied, which is remarkable considering the pandemic is still a factor, she said.

Built in 1756, the property is older than the U.S. Constitution. But it has undergone modern retrofitting and additions over the decades despite the barn being listed as a historic structure.

Located just a few hundred feet from Trumbull Center, the house is being eyed for conversion to single family apartments, but no land use application has been submitted so far, according to Bakalar.

The proposal to convert the structure to apartments was met with backlash by some residents, worried that the conversions would alter the historic nature of the house. Bakalar said that if the development proceeds, it would include 10 apartments.

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With economic development on the rise in Trumbull, here is a look at some of the top projects - CTPost