243 Apartments Featured In Proposed Fairfield Development

FAIRFIELD, CT — A proposed mixed-use development project in Fairfield near Ash Creek and the Fairfield Metro Train Station is under consideration by the Town Plan and Zoning Commission.

The project at 81 Black Rock Turnpike calls for the construction of a 308,325-square-foot, five-story building with 243 apartments on 4.9 acres. Additionally, the development would include courtyards, roof decks, more than 330 parking spaces, and more than 20,000 square feet that would house amenities and co-working space.

Fairfield attorney Chris Russo, who represents the developer, Post Road Residential, told the commission that in its current vacant state, the property provides no economic value to the town, which it will if the proposal is approved.

Post Road Residential developed the luxury complex, The Anchorage, on Unquowa Road, and the company sees a similar blue-chip site at 81 Black Rock Turnpike.

Andy Montelli, a principal with Post Road Residential, told the commission that for years, the property did not excite him. But he has had a change of heart in recent years, due to the flurry of development in the area, such as the new transit-oriented development that recently broke ground on Ash Creek Boulevard.

"This site has been kicking around, and I've known about it, for a good 10 years," Montelli said of 81 Black Rock Turnpike. "And, frankly, for nine of those years, I never really liked it that much. But this end of town is really starting to develop with residential housing. But more important to us, is the retail and entertainment that's starting to come in."

One of the projects that Montelli mentioned is a new brewery and restaurant slated for the former Planet Fitness site, across the street from BJ's.

The site will need some environmental cleanup, and commissioners want to make sure Ash Creek will be protected.

As such, Post Road Residential still has a formal application process to go through before the commission in the coming months.

Though commissioners did not offer any indication of how they might vote on the project in the future, they generally sounded impressed by the presentation.