'Time Is Of The Essence' To Move School Board Out Of Havemeyer Building, Camillo Says

GREENWICH, CT — Time is of the essence, according to First Selectman Fred Camillo, to move the Board of Education out of the historic Havemeyer Building on Greenwich Avenue.

Camillo and Andy Duus, the chair of the Advisory Committee on the Havemeyer Building, appeared before the BOE last week to discuss the building and the latest attempt to relocate staff.

The committee was tasked with identifying, evaluating and recommending potential options for the future use of the Havemeyer building and the site at 290 Greenwich Ave.

This is the third attempt in the last 24 years to relocate the BOE, and during those tries, the administration wasn't willing to leave.

But Camillo said the stars are aligned now, especially since the building has deteriorated over the years.

"We are fighting the clock on this one as far as the deterioration of it," Camillo said.

He noted the property is worth anywhere from $74 million to $100 million.

With the advisory committee's work finished, a new task force will be formed to work on what a Request For Proposal will look like and what the building could be used for.

"The timing is perfect. This is the first time in memory that the administration would love to relocate," he said. "A lot of work has gone into this, and this is something that should be returned to the people of Greenwich. It's a beautiful 1892 building... I do think it's fiscally irresponsible to continue to throw money into a building that's falling apart."

An engineer worked with the committee, and "no overt issues" were found at the building, Duus said, but there weren't any "invasive" investigations.

"We do not want to open up anything. Our concern is, if you open up stuff... There's a chance of asbestos, lead paint, mold. You never know," Duus said. "Our concern is looking forward at what needs to be done over the next decade in that building — you can't have staff remain in the building and do repairs. It's just that simple."

Camillo said it didn't make sense for the BOE to stay in a deteriorating building that's smack in the middle of Greenwich Avenue in the town's business, commercial and entertainment district.

He noted staff does not need to stay in a government building, and suggested the BOE look at rentals.

"It doesn't have to stay that way forever, but right now there is no other space in Greenwich as far as public buildings," Camillo said.

One potential rental space is located on Railroad Avenue, but BOE members balked at the price -- estimated to be about $3 million per year with utilities.

"I just think it's fiscally irresponsible to spend $3 million a year for government employees. I'm sorry to my staff, but as a taxpayer, that kind of freaks me out," said BOE member Kathleen Stowe. "However, I think we do need to think about where we can go in terms of a government building."

Stowe asked if space could be used at Greenwich Town Hall, and Camillo said that wasn't a desirable option for the BOE in 2022 because they "did not want to be in Town Hall under the umbrella of town government."

"I know the administration prefers to be downtown. We can find space a lot cheaper in other parts of town, but we're trying to accommodate the board as best we can," Camillo said. "I would love to share Town Hall with you and take another look at that, but the board would have to be comfortable doing something like that... I don't know if we can get to where they can fit in Town Hall comfortably, but I'm happy to look at that."

BOE member Cody Kittle said it's difficult for any government body "to relinquish control of something, especially something so beautiful." But he acknowledged that real estate is not a part of the board's mission.

"As hard as it is to say, 'This is kind of ours right now and we want to do special things with it,' I think it would be prudent to consider saying, 'You know what, we will hand it over because we want to be focused on student outcomes,' and this doesn't relate to that," he said.

Board Chair Karen Kowalski called this "a good opportunity and something that needs to be looked at seriously."

"I would really like to see the Board of Education in a state-of-the-art educational space," she said.

"I think the Havemeyer Building has served its purpose for a time, but like all old buildings, the rooms are small, they don't flow, it doesn't provide the function and accessibility I think the modern day education system and for what we use that building for with our administrators is now designed for," Kowalski added. "I do think there is some additional work to do, but I do think if we are committed to doing this and getting it done, we can do it quickly."

The committee working on the initiative will need approval from the board to allow the consideration of a new space for BOE staff.