Historic Town Properties Nearly Ready to Rent

Instead of costing Wilton money, two of the town's historic properties may soon be turning a profit.

Marvin Tavern (405 Danbury Road) and 415 Danbury Road have been the subjects of major renovations this summer under the town's capital program. As they near completion, Wilton officials hope to begin playing landlord with two new apartments and a four-room house to rent.

"We'll have rentable properties and there's a demand for them," said First Selectman Bill Brennan at the last Board of Selectmen's meeting. "We've already had several inquiries on the yellow house."

In both cases, Wilton had to schedule major structural and architectural improvements since the buildings had fallen into disrepair. Because of their age and historical importance, Brennan said they require more care than newer structures might.

"Unfortuantely, any old building is a challenge," he said. "Any time you start doing something [on one], you find something that's rotted or something that needs to be replaced."

Two separate contractors have been working on the properties throughout the summer months and are "doing a good job" according to Brennan. One of the largest tasks was the need to replace the entire porch on Marvin Tavern, as it had rotted and needed to be removed and rebuilt.

Brennan said most of the interior work is complete on both structures and the town expects to consult local real estate brokers about what to charge for rent in the new abodes. With its new porch, the Tavern, in particular, will likely be an attractive commodity.

"It's going to make a nice little house for somebody," Brennan said. "And we should be able to get fairly substantial income for both properties."