001All right. >> We'll start the meeting with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the republic for which it stands, >> one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Amen. >> All right. >> Yep. >> Um can we have a motion >> [clears throat] >> to approve the minutes of the last the the May 12th meeting. >> Motion to approve. >> And I second it. >> [clears throat and cough] >> All right. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor? All right. Opposed? Okay. The motion passed. The mission The minutes are accepted. All right. Um Just want to comment that there's been a lot of publicity in the newspapers about Trumbull. Um most of it is good. >>
002Mhm. >> So, that's great. And um Arena, we're ready for your report. >> Yes. I want to just take a moment of of time to recognize Gia. Um Gia is going to be leaving us. She's going to be going across the hall, actually, to take on a grants accounting position. Um I will still work with her because she and I do the grant work for the town. But she has a promotion This is a promotion type position. And I know she can speak to it herself, but I just wanted to recognize her because she's been amazing and I will deeply miss her and so will the staff. She's in so will the commission, I'm sure. So I just wanted to G thank you. Um we will miss you. I will see you, but um we
003will all see you actually. Uh but she'll be in more of an you know, a different type of role than she is now. So I don't know if G if you want to say a few words. >> Uh thank you Rina. It's been a great experience with this commission and with the office um and I appreciate everything I've learned and all the things we've done together and um I've [clears throat] certainly will still be around and look forward to staying in touch with everybody. >> Oh, we'll miss you. >> Congratulations. >> Thank [snorts] you, G. >> So the great minutes. >> Yeah. >> But um I think that maybe we'll have to we'll have to invite her back as a guest visitor. >> Absolutely. >> So thank you for everything, G. Um will you'll she'll
004be gone by the time our next meeting comes, not gone, but gone from this role uh by the time the next meeting comes. So um we will be you know, Abby will still be here and she'll be helping us and we are going to hire. And there's and the the um Board of Finance and the Town Council as they were deliberating you know, this past budget season, they determined that they wanted to see a full-time, you know, person, economic development person um in in our office versus the part-time we had. So Gio was with us part-time and she was with planning and zoning the other part the other half of her time. And so now it will be a full-time economic development associate versus the part-time one. And that will allow much more time to
005do more involved kinds of things with our department. Um a lot of times, you know, project work that, you know, can get time, you know, take a lot of time up and so forth. And you know, we'd have to figure out what pieces of it we could cover and not cover. So, I think that having the full-time economic development person in our office to support is really important, particularly given the mall work that we have to do, given the uh major projects and properties that are under or or will be going under redevelopment. And so, um we're sorry that G won't be with us for that, but she's definitely going to be supporting it in different ways because the grant accounting stuff touches a lot of the infrastructure grants and other things like that that
006we do. And this person actually works with me quite a bit and did work with me and Gia quite a bit. Um so, there's still be that connection. >> Good. Um >> I wanted to to Gia, do you want to say anything else? I don't >> No, I'm just I'm happy that the economic development office is going to get the support it really could use it. Um and um although it won't be me, I think it's it's going to be really great for the office. Um and I think it's going to make a big difference for you. >> Yeah, I agree. Thank >> That combined with a full commission will go a long way. >> Yes, exactly. Good point. That way to bring it back. Um so, I want to to, you know, sort of
007the less the less um, positive news first. I think I mentioned in our last meeting about Unilever. And, um, I think you've read some of the press. Um, Unilever will be leaving Trumbull to go to New Haven. Um, Unilever, since I've been here, Unilever has had 300 or so employees. Prior to that, at one point, Unilever had over 1,000 employees in Trumbull. But, over the years, and I think that it wasn't accurately always presented, uh, over the years. But, over the years, um, Unilever shed a large number of jobs here. Um, they shed a large number of uh, of buildings and real estate. At one point, before I came here, there was they had shed two full buildings were empty. And they were about to empty a third one. So, they did it sort of
008quietly, in a way. Um, but they've been down to about 300 employees since since I've been here. And they are still at 300 employees. And they will be moving to New Haven to the science park type area. Um, I you know, so they they will be here for the next 3 years. I don't know if folks understand that, but they will be in Trumbull for the next 3 years because they have to you know, there's going to be a building built that they're going to be going into, and so forth. So, they have to go through that whole process, construction, so forth. So, they will be staying in Trumbull uh for the time being, and they will be a member of our business community, you know, while they are here, and and we will treat
009them as such. Um you we do not want to see them leave, but they this decision was much bigger than Trumbull. Um this is a decision that, you know, they made about the type of um environment they want to be in to grow their you know, to grow their company into the future. I will say that they have not promised to add jobs at all in New Haven. They have promised to retain jobs. So, they're not looking to They're not going to be adding jobs with this um announcement. They're going to have their 300 jobs, and those 300 jobs, you know, the 300 jobs in Trumbull are moving to those 300 jobs, excuse me, are moving to um New Haven. They are getting incentives. They're getting a $10 million incentive to do that by the
010state. They will also be housed in a state building. So, there's not a lot we can do to make a change to that situation. It's been a I think a long time thinking that they're going to downsize their footprint. Currently in Trumbull, the footprint of the building that they retain here is 250,000 sq ft. They absolutely don't need that. They haven't needed it for a long, long time. They're going to be moving into a 100,000 sq ft. So, they have been, you know, over real estated um you know, if that's a word, um for a long time. And so that is what's happening with Unilever. It it really is not something we did talk to them as late as last year, you know, as early as last year to really discuss if they if we
011could compel them with incentives or whatever to to start to stay longer to, you know, do something like this here. They said no. They were committed to going to a different type of environment. Um and you know, and then they went >> Here it >> obviously into a discussion with the state. And you know the story from there. So we wish them well. Now, we will have 3 years to re-re- purpose the real estate with the owner you know, and and with Unilever in the future owner of the property. So I don't I'm not concerned that there won't be tenants. Um I think that 3 years is a ample amount of time to reposition the property and to prepare for a new tenant down the line there. So that will be a priority of ours
012over the next 3 years to make sure that that happens. So I want to pause there and ask if anybody has any questions on that. >> Rina, were those tax incentives that the state gave? >> Yes. No, no. I think they were it was a direct it was a forgivable loan, Justin. Forgivable loan, so almost like a grant. They got a forgive $10 million forgivable loan if they if they retained the jobs that they said they were going to retain. And the jobs they said they were going to retain are the jobs that are already here. No. >> Got you. Thanks. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, >> Oh. >> Anyone else? This is important, so I'm happy to answer. Okay. I will keep you updated on anything, but they've always been great neighbors. I
013expect for the next 3 years they'll be great neighbors. Um and, you know, we will uh live beyond Unilever. Okay. Um you may have read the data center article. I think we put that in the packet for you. Um but there was multiple articles, so I'm not sure, you know, which ones you might have read, but there was an article that ran about data centers in general and all across the nation, and the fact that Trumbull um was looking to have a data center and all this other stuff. I want to just clear up any confusion um if there is any out there, but I I I just want you And we did I think a couple of about 6 months ago I did an overview of the whole data center agreement at one of
014these meetings. I don't not sure if everybody here was on the commission at that time, but um it was when we um took we we accepted the agreement um the town council accepted the agreement for the data center um incentives. I don't know if anybody remembers that, but it was a state program. There was nothing we had to put into it, but they signed a memorandum of agreement, it went through the town council, and it was really talking about the investment they'd make over the next um 5 years in the infrastructure of the data center. So, that all of that is related to this current topic of data centers. When the articles ran, people started calling me saying, "Where are there data centers in Trumbull?" I said, "We have one data center." And then someone
015looked up a small thing that showed on a data center map that somewhere and it should looked like it was somewhere else in Trumbull. And what we've explained is that that is a is not really a data center. It's a it's an IT center. It's much It's very small. It It is not a data center, basically. And we've confirmed that just, you know, since then. So, it really was confusion if anybody was somehow exposed to that confusion. The only data center we have in Trumbull is the data center that is at 80 Merritt Boulevard. And that is right next to Unilever, actually. Right across from Unilever. And that is formerly Digital. We had Digital here for years and years. And before that, it was Nasdaq. Um so, Digital was sold about a year or two
016I think it was about 2 years now. And um that is the property that is our data center. And there there is no new data center being built in Trumbull. This will be upgrades to the existing data center. Technology upgrades and and maybe some physical upgrades, but very minor in terms in terms of structural building of anything. Okay, so it is going to upgrade the data center with you know, new equipment, systems, that kind of thing. Um, there is no additional need for any additional power here or in our water infrastructure. There's not a need right now. This These improvements are not triggering that kind of a need here like you hear around the country for these mega data centers. Um, they're the existing infrastructure um, that's available utility-wise is adequate for um, what this
017data center will do. So, I just wanted to say this because of the you know, it's very data centers are controversial and I understand why. And I think we do need to be diligent and keep on top of these issues. But I don't think that this particular project um, raises the kind of you know, concern that other projects around the country will. This is a um, existing center with some modest upgrades. Um, you know, it is $200 million worth of upgrades, but that's a lot of technology um, and infrastructure. So, they will be investing $200 million into our data center over the next 5 years. That's nothing to shake a stick at. Um, but again, it's not a construction of brand new huge, you know, data center, something like that. So, I will keep you
018abreast of that. I just wanted to mention this. Does anybody you any questions about this? Does everybody know where it is? Yes, okay. Um I'm moving on to uh going to another topic. We had our Fairfield County Broker Network meeting Friday. Um we had a really nice crowd of uh folks. Um and we talked about the um the development team from the um I'm going to forget the name of the J, you got to help me here. >> The um Crossing at the Pequonnock. >> Crossing at the Pequonnock is the new name of Gateway Commons. So, the development team uh was on site here at our meeting. They presented their project to the Broker Network. Um they did a great job on their presentation, actually. Um they were seeking um to get the word out
019on their project to the to the commercial broker community because obviously we want to lease up the space. And so, they will begin to um enter into letters of intent. And they already have at least one letter of intent that I'm aware of, but they'll be leasing up the space in preparation um for the you know, occupancy. So, I think it was very well received. People were excited about the project. Um First Selectman Rooney and my counterpart Bill um Holesworth in um in Monroe were on hand. They joined Vicki and I. We did a a joint um presentation and then again the development team as well. When we were at the presentation, multiple people said that the collaboration that is happening between Trumbull and um Monroe, they it's just it took a lot to get
020there and it it it it's just a real success story that they felt should be highlighted other places because obviously the commercial broker network, they they operate all over the place. So, they see um how people work together and how people don't work together and they were just so really impressed by how our towns were working together and so were our um development team. They just couldn't thank everyone enough for the support that they've gotten on the project. So, this project, remember, is the 88,000 square foot project on the Trumbull-Monroe line. Justin, did you come to the broker network meeting? >> No, I did not. >> Okay. I I you know, I get running around, so I don't know who's there and who's not at by the end of the day. I thought you might
021have stopped in. Fred, you didn't weren't able to stop in either? >> I know I was not able to attend as well. >> Did anyone on the commission, Beryl, did you come? >> No, I couldn't get there. >> Oh, okay. All right. Well, AG and I were there and I would tell you she would vouch for me. It really went off really well. >> Yeah, it they're really great group to work with. I think we do our events very well when we partner with them. >> Yeah. Okay. So, and I said we had about about 75 people, brokers and related >> Yeah. >> um there. So, that was great. Um I want to move over to a couple of things on the development side. I'm I just want to touch base on two projects and
022then I want to touch share a couple of small business things and then I'll open the floor up to to folks here. Um So, development project-wise, the last meeting I reported that on the corner of White Plains Road and Reservoir Avenue, there was a it's actually 16,000 square foot development um moving through the process. It It said 8,000 square feet, I think, in the article I read, but that wasn't accurate. It's It's about 8,500 square feet on each floor. So, it's it's about 17,000 in total square feet. It is very similar to the Franco Gianni's building, where you have businesses on the first floor and you have upstairs one-bedroom apartments. The scale of it is very similar, almost exact. The the look, you know, the whole concept of that building that Franco Gianni's is in,
023very It's almost the same. I think it's even square footage-wise very similar. So, that's what we're talking about, but there was a lot of um you know, there's always a lot of attacks and everything on on any project, but uh I think people were, you know, going off about the the project that it's just more apartments, this and that. It's a mixed-use scaled appropriately development with commercial on the first floor and one-bedroom apartments on the second floor. That's not going to hurt our school system. Um it's scaled appropriately. It's not overly dense. Um I think it's it's a great project, candidly. Um but, of Of you know, it's it's got its detractors. Um I think that you'll hear more about the project. It's in wetlands now. Um I know I think it just came out
024of wetlands and it will be going to uh planning and zoning next. So, I want to also talk about the grocery store. Um folks know that we have uh an approval for a grocery store at One Tree Foil. Okay, that has been under appeal. Land use appeal, we've been fighting, right? So, as of I think it was Friday, don't quote me, it was Thursday, Friday, something like that. One of the appeals was cleared in court, which is a really important step forward for the project. So, um that's really good news. There are some residual things that have to be they have to move through cuz they have a right to, you know, the the appeal is one, they but there's a right you have a right to try to appeal to the appeal or whatever
025it's called, to the appellate. So, um that process has to play out, but this major step is really important to moving this project along. The longer a project sits around and you know, and is under these kinds of things, that's not good. So, we want the project to move along so that it can be built. So, we're a a major step closer to that as of either Thursday or Friday of this past week. So, that is the grocer that it wasn't initially the development proposal was for a grocer and then some other uh businesses next door. Then we then they came back to the commission for a bigger grocer that would take the whole building instead of, you know, a smaller grocer with some other businesses. So, that was approved back, I don't know, last
026year or so. And now it is, you know, moving through the appeal process, but it is still a grocer, a single grocer of just under 40,000 square feet. Um, okay. Does anybody have any questions on that? >> [clears throat] >> And um >> I have a quick question. Are they tearing that building down or doing >> Yes. >> Okay. That's that um It's quite a um a lot going on there at Trefoil. >> Yeah, so we have the Henkel thing going on across next door to to Trefoil where we're just, you know, next door to this one. >> Mhm. >> Yeah, so there'll be a lot of construction over there. >> There is now. I go there, you know, every day cuz I work down at the Y. >> Okay. >> And so I've been
027kind of watching them. >> Yeah. So, now we'll have that and hopefully the grocery store um will get underway as soon as these final things get cleared, but we're a lot closer than we were. >> Mhm. >> So, okay. So, the last two things I wanted to just mention and I can't remember if I told you about these two businesses 2 weeks ago or not, so I'm going to mention it again. The building that um lives gift store is in, Crown Pizza building, um that has been rented. I've been working with um the owner of the property, Mona Casella, and the new um tenant, um I she's wonderful. She's a Trumbull resident. She's um going to open her business in July. So, she's signed her lease. She's um active on her lease. And this is
028where it was Flourishes at one time, and it it's Lives Gift Store. It was Lives. I don't want to >> What's What is it going to be? >> It's going to be a combination of a specialty shop and a gift shop. So, it's going to She's going to have um seasonal vegetables. She's going to have herbs and spices. She's going to have um gifts. She's going to have charcuterie things. She's She's got a very um thoughtful business plan. She's a very smart businesswoman. Um so, I don't want to I want her to introduce I don't want to call out the name of her business and everything yet. Uh I want her to be able to announce her business. So, uh stay tuned. She's going to open in July. We will probably um help her splash,
029you know, do the splash, right? So, we're going to do a ribbon cutting and everything. But, it I mean, I can't say enough about this woman and her business and her readiness to do this. She's a very, very smart. She has an interesting background in work and so forth. So, you'll hear more about it when we put out the invite. Um and I'm expecting we'll get the invite out late June, early July. Um for her opening. >> I spoke with Mona today, and she's very excited. She had a lot of good a lot of good things. Very talented, she said. >> Very. >> Mona was my realtor, and she helped me find my house in Trumbull. >> She's awesome. >> I love her. >> Yeah, I love her, too. Her daughter, I don't know if
030you guys knew uh I don't know Evelyn, you might her daughter Olivia, she interned for me. I don't know if you remember that. She was an intern. Now, this is a long time ago because I think her daughter's out of college. This was when her daughter was going into college, senior in high school going into college, she interned for me. >> I do remember. >> Yeah, she was here. She's all her kids are really sharp, but I love her daughter. Excuse me. Um So, that will be opening and then we have the Pilates studio, which is and which is right in the plaza where Minute Man Cleaners is. That's another locally owned business. So, I'm going to try to pitch these two locally owned businesses on Main Street as a story. I haven't done that
031yet, but I I have to contact my press contact to see if they're interested in that story because I think it's kind of interesting that you have these two locally um you know new businesses that are different, but um both on Main Street, you know, steps away from each other and doing some really interesting things. So, um we'll see if we can't get some attention to to their businesses, but that we'll we'll be hearing about both of them in terms of ribbon cuttings and all this other stuff. I just wanted to mention those two businesses right now. I know we've talked about others and we've got other things coming. We do have I think you got G you you sent out Did you send out the >> Yes, the invite went out yesterday. >> So,
032you got to OG to their um >> Right. >> their Gelato uh the the Gelato organization there, the business um we should have all gotten Did everybody get an invite? >> Yes. >> I want to make sure. Okay. Uh because when the PHA ones went out, we had a little issue. So, um that will be on the 13th from 5:00 till 9:00. It is a Saturday, I know that's tough for folks, but if you're in the area or your family's in the area, please send them over. I think it'll be great to have a nice crowd there. Um That's That's really all I had for today's meeting. We went through a lot of things last meeting, but does anybody have any other questions? >> Mhm. >> Well, it's all all good. >> All good. >>
033That's right. Well, it's not all good, but mostly good. Um we have some really good things coming this year, you know, over the next 6 months. You We're going to have met major things. Let me just touch on them all for a second. We decided um Justin, I think it was his recommendation, that we add the mall to to the um sort of like just the regular meeting and make sure it's an agenda item, and I think it's a great idea that we just touch base on it each meeting. So, what I want to report for this meeting, and I have to be careful because this is a confidential process, but I want to say this that I had reported in the last previous I think it was our previous meeting or maybe the meeting
034before, you know, that there was significant interest in the mall property. Um that massive interest uh uh basically in in terms of inquiries to the broker listing, um there was over 100 inquiries that were made. When an inquiry is made in in this kind of a setting, it's a formal process that you have to file sort of information in order to get all of the information for the listing. And that's how it works in this in the commercial world and particularly on major properties. So, over 100 people did that. They they inquired on the property property formally. Uh since that time, um you know, there's been a process playing out with the ownership and the debt holders, um and that has been a process to determine um who will potentially purchase the mall. So, I
035cannot report any details to say who, what, exactly when, but I can say this that the process is moving along very well. And fairly swiftly in terms of timing in our world, you know, meaning the development world. So, things are moving along well. Things are moving along swiftly. Um I think that the type of group that will buy this property will be what we are looking for. Um and will as the months go by, um and their process plays out, I think you'll be hearing more from us. There's not a lot we can do right now to share any more with the public. Okay? Um there will be ups and downs at the mall with various tenants during this period of time. I understand. Can everybody hear me? Yeah. Can I understand that that is
036difficult for the public. They It's they're concerned, they're worried, so forth. We don't want anyone to leave um the mall. However, the reality is there may be some people coming, there may be some people leaving during this time. It's It's an uncertain time, you know, for the property. However, um that's how people will feel in the public. But, we have a very strong vision for this property, and that has been recognized by the people that are looking all of the groups that were looking to purchase it. And the the reason, and they've said this to me outright, so I can say it to you, the reason, okay, that this is getting so much attention is because of the work, okay, that has been done to position this property. To position it from a planning perspective,
037from a zoning perspective, from a brokerage perspective. So, all of this work did not just go away. It's the basis from which all of the interest in the property has been attracted. >> Mhm. >> Okay? So, I know there's a lot of conversation out there and whatever. We have to see the process through. There will be ups, there will be downs, but the prop- property is moving in the right direction. And at the at the time where there's uh an ability to share that, we will share that. Okay? But, that's all I can say right now. Does anybody have any questions on what I said. >> No. >> Well, all in all, it's been a very positive report. >> Yeah, I mean, there's always challenges, um, and there's but there's always the key is to
038have more opportunity than challenge. And I think that, you know, we have many things that are coming that haven't surfaced quite yet, um, but will. Um, so we'll be hearing we'll have a busy year. So, does anyone have any questions on anything else that maybe I didn't mention it? >> I don't think so. And then the anchor stores stores right now are pretty much staying for the time being at least. >> For the time being, I have no knowledge of any of the major anchors, meaning, um, Macy's, uh, Target, and JCPenney. >> Right. >> Or discussing. Yeah, I don't I don't have any information that tells me anything other than that now. >> Right. Okay. >> Okay. Uh, any other questions, comments? >> [clears throat] >> If not, do we have an update from BRBC?
039Fred? >> Yes, we do, Beryl. Dan was kind enough to share with me some information to share with the team, and uh, first, um, we'd like to invite everybody, if you're available tomorrow night, the BRBC with the Trumbull Chamber of Commerce is hosting a coffee and connections at Plasko's Farms from 4:30 to 5:30. It allows for businesses to network and exchange leads and opportunities. Great opportunity if you haven't attended already. Um, please, um, send out the invi- invitations to your colleagues and friends. Um and then second, our annual meeting is coming up. It's an annual breakfast meeting. This year, it's going to be held at the University of Bridgeport on June 26th to celebrate our leadership class of uh Greater Bridgeport class number 37. Um great opportunity to attend our breakfast meeting and hear um
040area surroundings um a guest speaker come present um some visions about our communities and where we're heading. So, um that invitation and registration is on our website, the BRBC website. That Those are the informations we like to share with everybody this evening. >> Can I just ask you? Um certainly don't have a business or anything, but with Plasco being right next door, I thought it might be good for me to kind of walk over there and >> Yep, please stop by. It's a networking event more than a you know, a more of a social gathering if you will. >> Right. >> So, absolutely, look forward to seeing you. >> All right. Any other comments? I don't think there's anyone from the community here. >> Bill >> If not, um are there any other questions, comments?
041So, thank you all for attending. We will not see you now until August. Is that correct? >> Yes, we will be having a few um ribbon cuttings between now and then, so we'll we'll be seeing you, but not like in our committee structure. >> All right. >> I think it's worth noting um for everybody to be mindful that emails won't necessarily be coming from my email address and I'm sure much will come from Rena, but you might also want to look out for Abby's email address or anybody new coming in. Sometimes things will get encrypted the first time you receive something from someone new. >> Yes. Okay, that's a good point that Barracuda bills going to make sure we're not barracuded. >> [laughter] >> Um >> Okay, well, change is not easy, but we'll manage.
042>> Right. >> Miss you, Gia. >> Oh, thank you. I will miss you all. >> Yeah. You've been great to work with. Thank you. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> All right, if there are no other business, >> [snorts] >> can we have a motion to adjourn? >> So moved. >> All right, friends, is there a second? >> I second. >> Good. Who is that? >> Lela. >> Evelyn? >> Lela. >> Okay, thanks, Lela. All right, all those in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? >> I. >> All right, we meet this adjourned. >> Have a great summer, everybody.