Mayor Teases Potential New Home For Danbury Career Academy

DANBURY, CT — The Danbury Career Academy is "back on."

Mayor Dean Esposito announced the city has received a proposal from Cartus Corporation to buy its building at 40 Apple Ridge Road. The intent of the academy is to provide Danbury Public School students in grades 6-12 with an opportunity to explore career options through hands-on experience.

The original plan called for the academy to move into the former Matrix Center, but costs ballooned from $99 million to $144.5 million over the course of negotiations, and the deal fell through.

No price has yet been quoted for the Cartus space. The relocation logistics and services company is planning to vacate its current headquarters and move into upgraded facilities.

Floor plans revealed during a news conference Monday show a 270,000 square-foot building able to serve about 1,400 middle and high school students. Facilities include an auditorium, greenhouse, and administrative offices, as well as 1,600 parking space.

The City Council will get its first look at the proposal during a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening.

Superintendent Kevin Walston said he was "absolutely overwhelmed" by the opportunities the new site represents.

"This is going to be an absolute game changer for us," Walston said.