Ansonia Ponders Possible Public-Private Partnership With Opera House

ANSONIA — Mayor David Cassetti’s administration is working on a deal that could see it lease the Ansonia Opera House on Main Street in order to qualify for grant funds to start making some repairs to the 152-year-old facility. 

During a virtual meeting on Tuesday (July 13), the Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to authorize Corporation Counsel John Marini to begin negotiations with opera house co-owner Walter Kendzierski. The vote was made after a closed-door executive session, a type of meeting allowed if talking about matters such as real estate transactions.

The city would like to lease a portion of the 23,773 square-foot, three-story facility for $1 in an effort to pursue grant money to kick-start restoration efforts.

“The city’s proposal would pave the way for preservation and restoration of the exterior and interior of the historic Ansonia Opera House, which is actually the oldest in Connecticut,” Marini said via email. 

“This would allow the city to partner with the owner on grant applications for historic restoration of the structure. In turn, the owner would agree to restrictions placed on their use of the opera house floors, ensuring the presentation of the site for future generations.”

There’s no agreement in place. Negotiations just started. Any lease agreement would have to be approved by the Aldermen.

The opera house, located at 100 Main St., was built around 1869 and was once the lower Valley’s hub for entertainment and culture. 

Over the years it hosted musical performances as well as dances, high school graduations, basketball games, boxing matches, even roller skating at one point, according to this 2007 article from The News-Times of Danbury.

Like The Sterling Opera House on Elizabeth Street in Derby, the building fell into disrepair over the decades.

Kendzierski and his father, Stanley, purchased the Ansonia Opera House at an auction in 1983 for $56,000, according to this newspaper article.

While there’s commercial storefronts on the first floor, making repairs and a proper use for the opera house section of the building has remained elusive, especially as massive manufactures left downtown Ansonia,

But downtown Ansonia is on the upswing, with new restaurants and apartments coming online. The city’s making progress with its old industrial center by snagging grant money, including a recent $1 million award.

The Ansonia Opera House has been closed since 1971, and remains mostly dormant, Kendzierski said, except for some storage use. 

The opera house launched a Facebook page in May, where photos of its interior have piqued public interest. 

Kendzierski said this week that he’s excited about the potential of a partnership with the city. 

“So far I think it’s a good idea, that’s an historical building and it would be a catalyst for Main Street development,” said Kendzierski, an Ansonia native. ​“A fantastic building like this should be fixed up, and I’m hoping it will work out with the city. I’m definitely interested in working with the city.”

If there’s anything The Sterling Opera House in neighboring Derby has proved, it’s that finding the money to restore these old buildings is not easy. Derby has amassed grants to refurbish the outside of Sterling, but finding money to renovate the interior (or a private business willing to do so) just hasn’t happened.

The Cassetti administration sees a potential lease as a step in the right direction. Even a relatively small project, like refurbishing the front of the building, could make Main Street look better, officials said.

Marini credited Derby firefighter Anthony Mullin, of East Coast Paranormal Photography, and Ansonia Democratic Town Committee Chairman Gary Farrar, Jr. for helping put in motion the idea of a possible partnership with Kendzierski.

“Anthony and Gary are very enthusiastic about the prospects for city involvement, and look forward to the possibility of a fundraising effort to supplement the project,” Marini said. ​“There are also ideas for limited historic tours and photography clinics at the site.”

Economic Development Director Sheila O’Malley said partnering with Kendzierski could make sense.

“Historic Preservation funds are not always readily available, but it’s always an easier process when there is a public/private partnership,” O’Malley said. ​“Funders like to see that the city will work together to help fill in the funding gaps for owners who are unable to do so. We will approach this like we do with anything else: make sure we are at the table if and when opportunities for funding present themselves, work on getting an idea of the needs and the cost and start to tackle the issues one by one.”

Aldermanic President Josh Shuart noted this is a potential first step in what could be a long-term project.

“As for a full-on ​‘rebirth,’ I think most Aldermen would be cautious enough to realize this likely is a very long term endeavor. Opera houses and theaters used to be the centerpiece of many downtowns. You have to start somewhere, so why not now? I am thankful to all of those involved in getting conversations to this point. It seems like a low risk, potentially high reward project.”

O’Malley said she already secured a $5,000 grant from Home Depot which she said can help kick start some exterior work if the partnership moves forward. The opera house Facebook page notes Kendzierski wants to replace windows on the Main Street side.

Editor’s note: the photos in this story are from Emery Roth II, whose photography can be viewed here. Click this link for a New Haven Register profile.