Residents Want Glenbrook Community Center To Reopen: Reports

STAMFORD, CT — Residents are demanding the reopening of the Glenbrook Community Center, which shuttered in March 2020, according to media reports.

The city held a community meeting with consulting firm BFJ Planning on Nov. 19 at Union Memorial Church to gather input, explore redevelopment options and share ideas for the property at 35 Crescent St.

According to the Stamford Advocate, many residents at the meeting expressed a desire to see the building reopen as a community center.

Stamford Board of Reps. Majority Leader Nina Sherwood (D-8) told News 12 CT the community center was an important place for many residents in Glenbrook.

"The East Side of Stamford is in desperate need of a place where the community can coalesce. It’s just not there right now, and it needs to be," Sherwood told News 12 CT.

The debate on what to do with the property has gone on since the community center closed.

According to a website dedicated to the redevelopment project, the city seeks to "engage the community in meaningful discussions on the future of 35 Crescent Street; explore diverse redevelopment options that align with the needs and priorities of residents; and develop a sustainable and inclusive space that benefits all community members and promotes growth in the Glenbrook neighborhood."

The building at 35 Crescent St. was originally built in the early 1900s as the Glenbrook School before it transitioned into a community center that hosted a variety of services, including childcare, youth activities, alcohol addiction recovery support, and senior exercise classes, according to the city website.

"It also provided space for local gatherings and meetings, including those of the Glenbrook Neighborhood Association. Despite its role, the center was closed in March 2020 due to declining use and the need for significant repairs," the city's website says. "Now, the City of Stamford is exploring redevelopment options that will respect the site’s legacy and renew its place in the community."

Redevelopment options under consideration include:

• Community Cultural Center: A hub for arts, culture, and community events.
• Mixed-Use Development: Affordable housing with commercial spaces.
• Education Innovation Hub: Co-working and business incubation space for entrepreneurs.
• Healthcare and Wellness Center: Primary care, wellness, and mental health services.
• Senior Living Community: Independent or assisted living for older residents.
• Green Space: Eco-friendly green areas with permeable surfaces and rain gardens to support the environment.

Citing a lack of support from the Board of Representatives in October 2022, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons withdrew a proposal that would've redeveloped the site into affordable housing units.

Stamford is slated to hold additional meetings on the property into 2025.

Data analysis, stakeholder engagement and community follow-up is slated for December and January.

The timeline shows the development of final recommendations based on community input in February, with the development of a city-issued Request For Proposal (RFP) in the March-May timeframe.

More information on the redevelopment project can be found here.

Read more from Stamford Advocate and News 12 CT