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Ben Bronze Academy to buy 671 Burnside Ave, pledges $4–5 million renovation for special‑education campus
Summary
Council approved sale of a small, blighted town parcel at 671 Burnside Ave to Ben Bronze Academy for $500. The academy’s leaders said they plan $4–5 million in renovations of the former St. Rose School and church for classrooms, therapy and student supports and to open this fall.
The Town Council on April 21 approved the sale of a small town‑owned parcel at 671 Burnside Ave to Ben Bronze Academy for $500, clearing a final redevelopment agency parcel the town described as blighted.
Angie Parkinson moved the motion and said the parcel, acquired by the town in 2003 and cleared of a derelict building, had limited value after road changes reduced nearby parking. Representatives for Ben Bronze Academy—Gail Lanza (executive director), Richard Case (attorney) and Jonathan Katz (chief financial officer)—addressed the council and described plans to adapt the former St. Rose School, church and rectory for educational and supportive services.
Katz told the council the academy expects to invest between $4 million and $5 million in renovations and is coordinating with the building department and fire marshal to open in the fall. The school plans to use the rectory as administrative offices and the church space for elementary programming, with counseling, speech and occupational therapy and smaller classroom footprints throughout the building. Katz said the academy’s student‑teacher ratio averages about 3:1, that it currently serves about 66 students and expects enrollment growth to exceed 100 in coming years.
Lanza said the organization has been warmly received by parents and anticipates serving students across Connecticut and parts of southern Massachusetts. The council voted orally to approve the conveyance; the motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters
The conveyance turns a town‑owned vacant lot into part of an expanding nonprofit school campus and, according to academy leaders, will bring significant private investment and services focused on students with special education needs. Town staff framed the sale as tying up loose ends from redevelopment holdings and improving safety on the school site by allowing the academy to fence and expand its play area.
What’s next
Town and academy representatives said they are working with building and fire officials on permits and expect construction and fit‑out work in the months ahead; the town will complete conveyance paperwork and record the deed.
