K-Mart Shopping Plaza Redevelopment Proposal Advances In Milford

MILFORD, CT — The potential redevelopment of the former K-Mart shopping plaza at 589 Bridgeport Ave. took a major step forward after a developer, Casey Associates Limited, received approval from the city of Milford for a zone change, which will allow for multifamily housing.

The Planning and Zoning Board unanimously voted earlier this month to approve the zone change which will allow for multifamily housing on the parcel. A site plan approval and special permit is still required before the project can proceed.

In plans initially filed with the city, the developer is seeking a "proposed development consists of approximately 47,000 Square Feet of shopping center (retail) and 180 units of mid-rise multifamily residential."

Attorney John Knuff, who represents the developer, said his client addressed many of the city's requests, including stipulating that 10 percent of the housing units would be designated as affordable to help the city reach its affordable housing target.

He said solar panels would be added to the clubhouse roof to offset an anticipated a 40 kw of power usage in the clubhouse. He stressed that full details would be provided when the application for a Special Permit and Site Plan Review were submitted.

In documents filed with the city, it states that the site currently includes the vacant K-Mart, Ocean State Job Lot, Dollar Tree, Walgreens, Taco Bell, and a small strip center adjacent to Bridgeport Avenue, which includes Subway, a liquor store, and other vacant space.

"With the exception of Taco Bell and Walgreens, the center is characterized by outdated facades, broken pavement, minimal landscaping, and a timeworn appearance," the records state. "The property is both all-too-tangible evidence of the dramatic changes that have occurred in the retail landscape, with a particularly deleterious impact on Devon, and the best opportunity to catalyze the revitalization of Devon."

Several business owners have submitted letters in support of the proposal, including the owner of the popular Dockside Brewery, Bob Chicoine and ShopRite owner Harry Garafalo.