City council approves sale of Stiles School to Ideal Group for 30 apartments

The West Haven City Council on March 10 approved a purchase-and-sale agreement to sell the city-owned Stiles School at 561 Main Street to Ideal Group LLC for redevelopment as housing.

The resolution, brought to the council after a public lands committee recommendation, authorizes Mayor Dorinda K. Borer to execute the agreement and related documents; the approval is contingent on the Municipal Accountability Review Board(MARB) clearance. The council recorded the measure as approved by voice vote with no opposition reported during the meeting.

At a public hearing earlier in the meeting, Steve Fontana, the city—s director of economic development, introduced the proposal and the principals from Ideal Group and described the city—s multi-step selection process. "We were able to solicit 3 proposals. 1 that we've selected and brought to you tonight, we believe is the strongest of the 3 in that it preserves and protects and renovates this iconic landmark," Fontana said.

Developer Fernando Pastor presented the design concept and unit mix. He told the council the plan would preserve the building exterior while converting classroom space into apartments: "every classroom will be an apartment" and the project would yield about 30 units, including one-bedroom units from classrooms, two-bedroom units in larger rooms and studio units on a lower level with new light and ventilation.

Mayor Borer told the council she supports the sale, saying the building is vacant, damaged and costly to remediate. She cited an estimate that abatement alone would cost about $1,000,000 and said selling the property would both remove a hazardous eyesore and generate revenue: "we hold in building for $3,000,000 or we sell it for the 450,000. And not only will we get the revenue from the sale, but we will get the revenue from the new sewer fees... and then, of course, our building fees," she said.

Fontana and counselstaff told the committee the purchase-and-sale draft before the council reflects the deal terms recommended by staff. The motion approved by the council directs the mayor to sign the agreement substantially in the form attached to the committee report and to take further steps necessary to close the transaction, conditional on MARB approval.

The developers and city staff said they will continue to brief neighbors and pursue required approvals and building permits as the project moves from agreement to detailed design and construction.

Votes at a glance The council approved the purchase-and-sale agreement to sell 561 Main Street (Stiles School) to Ideal Group LLC. The council approved the resolution by voice vote; the meeting record reports "all in favor" with no opposition or abstentions noted. The authorization is contingent on Municipal Accountability Review Board approval.

Ending City officials and the developer said the sale aims to remove an underused, vandalized building and create about 30 housing units while preserving the school's historic exterior. Council and staff stressed the sale's MARB contingency and said further project details, permitting and construction timetables would be shared in subsequent meetings.