$350M Fairfield Metro Center To Start Next Spring

FAIRFIELD, CT-Another key piece of the financing puzzle that will allow the first phase of the $350-million Fairfield Metro Center project to commence is in place.

Blackrock Realty LLC, along with US Rep. Christopher Shays and Fairfield First Selectman Ken Flatto announced on Friday that the Town of Fairfield will be reimbursed by the federal government for land acquisition in relation to a $3.75-million commuter parking lot that is part of the development. Blackrock Realty, a joint venture between Westport-based Wittek Development and Rugby Realty Co. Inc. of Teterboro, NJ, is the developer of the project.

The parking lot, totaling 1,500 spaces, will be used for the project as well as a new Metro North train station to be developed at the 35-acre site.

Flatto says the town has acquired title to a nearly nine-acre parcel that will contain the commuter parking to be built adjacent to the new Metro North railroad station. The commuter lot purchase, originally paid for by the Town of Fairfield, has been entirely reimbursed by the federal government along with an additional $250,000 for preliminary site clean up.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation and the federal government are funding the $40-million train station, as well as platforms, a new vehicular bridge over the Metro North tracks, pedestrian bridge overpass and a drop off area.

“This project now is becoming a reality,” Flatto says. “It will be a huge economic benefit to the Town of Fairfield as well as the entire region. I am committed to doing everything possible to move this project toward completion as rapidly as possible.”

Kathleen Williams, executive vice president of Blackrock Realty, says that construction of the first phase of the project should begin in spring 2007. The first phase will entail the development of the Metro North train station and commuter parking lot, 30,000 sf of retail and high-end restaurants, a 200,000-sf office building, a 10-acre conservation area and a 200-room, 130,000-sf Hilton Hotel. The first phase is expected to be complete sometime in 2009.

Williams says that Starbucks and Peoples Bank have already signed leases for the retail component of the project. The entire development totals 1.1 million sf of new construction and will include approximately 800,000 sf of new office development.

“The design of this project will integrate all elements of the buildings’ operating systems to help achieve optimal energy performance,” says Aaron Stauber, managing director, Rugby Realty. “However, using a concept known as climate-responsive architecture, the buildings will effectively interact with the exterior environment as well, making the entire project environmentally sensitive in every way.”

Blackrock Realty has described Fairfield Metro Center as a “green” project. Kurt Wittek, president and CEO of Wittek Development, says the firm hopes to have the entire project qualify for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Level Certification issued by the US Green Building Council.