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The blighted building on Strawberry Hill Avenue that formerly housed the Fitch School should soon be an assisted living facility for seniors. The city zoning commission approved the application submitted by Strawberry Hill LLC that will convert the dilapidated structure into 84 units. The plan calls for 47 beds to be set aside for patients with memory problems including Alzheimer's disease.
There is not a whole lot we can save with the existing building, said Michael Stein, the architect for the project. Fires, vandalism and even an explosion have plagued the building that is situated in a residential neighborhood. The approved plan calls for the renovated structure to occupy the same footprint as the existing building but with a second story added to provide additional space. Construction should begin this fall.
Neighbors spoke in support of the project; some stating they had spoken out in the past against earlier proposals the city had received from other developers.
We have prayed for this and we have wished for this, said David Park, who said he has lived across the street from the red brick building for 25 years. The deteriorating condition of the building, he said, has begun to affect property values.
Strawberry Hill LLC will be the third facility operated by the developer. Greg Smith, managing partner, said they also own similar facilities in Danbury and Newtown. Webster Bank, he said, has helped them finance those projects and will be working with them on this building, as well.
The Norwalk facility will provide residents with studio or one-bedroom units. A private pay facility, rent and assisted living care would average $5,400 to $6,000 a month. Though nurses will be on site, residents would leave the facility for medical care. "This would be an asssisted living facility, not a nursing home," said Frank Zullo, the attorney for the project.
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