10-Year Tax Break For Fairfield Community Theater Approved By RTM

FAIRFIELD, CT — The curtain rose Monday on a new era for the Fairfield Community Theater as town representatives approved a 10-year tax break to facilitate renovation of the venue — a vote that was followed by a round of applause.

The theater opened about 1920 as a vaudeville stage and was then a movie theater before it closed in 2011, according to town documents. Nearly a decade later, Kleban Properties has committed to buying the theater and investing at least $4 million in renovating the venue and other space in the building. Sacred Heart University will lease and operate the theater as a facility for performing arts, entertainment and education.

Kleban Properties Chairman Al Kleban attended the town meeting Monday, calling the empty theater "a disgrace to the town."

"I am emotionally involved in this decision and this is what propels me to do it," said Kleban, who received applause from representatives after he spoke.

Kleban hopes to generate an additional $1 million for the development through private fundraising, according to town documents. An online petition calling for the sale of the theater in 2017 gained about 7,000 supporters.

The tax abatement approved for the project will fix the property's assessment at zero dollars for four years and at its current assessment of about $1.82 million for another six years, town documents stated. The theater property has recently yielded about $48,000 in annual taxes, according to town documents, and the total anticipated revenue loss associated with the abatement is projected at about $421,000. Once the tax break expires, the renovated theater is estimated to generate about $165,000 annually in taxes. The town would recoup its investment within six years of the abatement's expiration, town documents stated.

In addition to the tax agreement, representatives approved a lease and a license arrangement for town-owned properties near the theater. Kleban plans to take over the lease for the outdoor dining area adjacent to the Old Post Tavern and to improve town property in front of the theater by installing engraved brick pavers, upgrading benches and changing the landscaping. Kleban intends to help the building's current tenants relocate to other properties the developer owns in the area, Community and Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart said.

Rep. Michael Herley, R-District 10, had some questions about the planning and zoning process for the project moving forward. Rep. Alex Durrell, R-District 3, said seniors in the area of his district feel marginalized by the abatement proposal, although he also said he would be supporting the measure.

"This is what's best for Fairfield," he said. "Let us go forward together."

All three items related to the theater project received yes votes from every voting representative present. Rep. Kerry Berchem, D-District 8, recused herself from all three votes and Rep. Brian Farnen, R-District 9, recused himself from the tax abatement vote. The Board of Selectmen previously unanimously endorsed the plan.