Stamford Withdraws Cove Island Park As Location For New School

STAMFORD, CT — The city of Stamford has withdrawn Cove Island Park as a possible location for a new K-8 south Stamford School, according to a memo from Director of Operations Matthew Quinones to the Board of Representatives. Cummings Park and Czescik Park are also not viable options, he said.

In the memo, Quinones said the administration withdrew a request for a $150,000 appropriation from the BOR's Steering Committee agenda on Feb. 14, because a feasible site for a new south Stamford School has not yet been identified. The appropriation request for a K-8 north school remains as an active submission, he added.

The appropriation was submitted in order to meet the administrative deadlines of approving-boards, in the hopes of meeting a state-grant application deadline of June 2022.

Last week, SLAM, an architecture firm, presented a 10-year facilities master plan for the Stamford Public Schools district. The plan recommends the closure of four schools around the district, and the construction of a new K-8 south Stamford school in the Cove area that would serve about 1,050 students.

The plan would also replace Westhill High School with a new building, and expand Westover School, Roxbury School and Hart Magnet Elementary from K-5 to K-8 schools.

Board of Reps. member Megan Cottrell (D-4), who represents the Cove area, said after SLAM's presentation that constituents were concerned about the possibility of a new school going up in Cove Island Park. Cottrell recommended the abandoned Fairway property on Canal Street as a potential spot.

The Connecticut Audubon Society and Audubon Connecticut released a joint letter earlier this week objecting to a school in Cove Island Park. They said the park encompasses one of the most important urban bird sanctuaries in Connecticut, and constructing a new building would damage wildlife habitats.

Quinones said a search for a location would expand beyond city-owned property to include the potential for land acquisitions. Quinones said that would "allow for a more comprehensive assessment of the most ideal and feasible location for a proposed K-8 school in Stamford, south of I-95."

"We will continue to inform you and the public on the assessment and research process related to identifying a viable location for a K-8 school south of I-95," Quinones said. "In the event a site can be determined in time to complete the application and submit by the June 30, 2022 deadline, we will submit to your Board Office."

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tamu Lucero said last week that there are only recommendations at this time, and the master facilities plan is not written in stone.

SLAM and the city plan to hold public outreach events to get feedback from the community over the coming weeks and months.

"Our intent is to continue to embrace an extensive community engagement process," Quinones said.