Developer Withdraws Plans To Redevelop St. Gabriel School Site

MILFORD, CT — Robert Smith Jr., who is the executive managing director of Metro Star Properties, announced that his company will no longer proceed with plans to redevelop the former Saint Gabriel’s School property on Tudor Road.

Smith had initially filed plans to turn the former school site into a 175 unit multi-family development project.

In a statement to Milford Patch, Smith wrote, "After collaborative discussions with the Honorable Mayor Benjamin Blake, Metro Star will not seek municipal approvals for the One Tudor Road property. Metro Star projects are not typically embedded in residential areas, our projects focus on commercial zones and support local commerce.

"Many of our commercial neighbors support our efforts and embrace the increase vibrancy our developments bring the many local establishments. In the case of the Tudor Road application the most affected parties, the members of the direct neighborhood, have been active in voicing their issues with a development of this kind.

"After careful consideration of the neighborhood concerns, and with thoughtful advisement by Mayor Blake, Metro Star came to an understanding that a development like we had planned for Tudor Road did not serve the community’s interest in the way we hoped it would.

"Metro Star is a Milford company, operating in this great city for over 35 years, some of our projects have become landmark buildings such as Schooner Wharf and 1 New Haven Avenue. We work here, many of our employees and contracting partners live here. We drive by our work every day, we are proud of our projects, and we are proud of the city.

"Metro Star will be a community stakeholder for years to come, as such, we have made this decision with the best interest of all the affected parties in mind."