Stamford Planning Board OKs small city contribution for Mill River Community Commons amid funding confusion

The Stamford Planning Board on June 10 unanimously approved a supplemental capital appropriation request intended to help the Mill River Community Commons project advance toward construction.

Neddy Compton, president and CEO of Mill River Park Collaborative, told the board the nonprofit has "been able to secure 4 and a half million dollars in a federal HUD grant" and $7,600,000 from a state community investment fund, and that the organization was seeking additional city bonding to finalize state and federal grant agreements and begin design and construction work.

Compton presented a conceptual design that includes a flexible great lawn, a dog park, permanent public restrooms and shaded pergola spaces, and said the collaborative plans to add "over 100 trees" and use solar panels for charging devices. She described the Community Commons as "this final core section of Mill River" and said the collaborative hopes to start construction next year and open about two years after that.

The meeting record shows some confusion about the dollar amount cited on agenda materials: one page listed $2.5 million while another showed $2,500. City staff clarified on the record that the smaller figure was the accurate line on the worksheet prior to the board vote. The board then moved and carried the appropriation request by voice vote.

The board's action was procedural: the supplemental appropriation authorizes bonding language or city fund allocation consistent with the motion approved. Compton said the nonprofit will continue private fundraising, pursue an endowment for long‑term maintenance and return to the city as grant agreements are finalized.

The Planning Board did not specify a construction start date beyond the applicant's stated timeline; further design, zoning or permitting steps would follow as funding agreements are completed.