Shelton is hoping to rent out space at Lafayette School to local non-profit organizations.
Center Stage Theater, a youth theater company in Shelton, is signed up to be the first tenant.
Center Stage and the city are negotiating a lease for space at the former elementary school on Grove Street, according to Thomas Taylor, an assistant to Mayor Mark Lauretti, and a note posted on the Center Stage website.
Lafayette School closed as part of a city-wide redistricting in 2010.
Center Stage has been using space in a former car dealership on Bridgeport Avenue, but is looking for another home base as the owner of the property works to redevelop the car dealership into new shops.
Calls and e‑mails to Center Stage owners Gary and Fran Scarpa were not returned this week.
The Scarpas left a note on the Center Stage homepage, notifying patrons of the possible move.
“We are happy to report that we are progressing nicely in our pursuit to have Lafayette School in Shelton become our new home,” the couple wrote on the website. “We are working with Mayor Lauretti and several other important non-profit groups to inhabit the building.”
Taylor said about 10 non-profit groups — mostly ones dealing with youth programs and services — were interested in renting space in the school. He didn’t have specific information about which non-profit groups were interested in leasing space at the building.
He said groups like youth football teams will continue to use the playing fields outside of Lafayette School.
Taylor said Center Stage approached the city about using space at Lafayette School a couple months ago.
“The space hasn’t been approved; it’s still in negotiations,” Taylor said.
But even though the deal hasn’t been finalized, Shelton is letting Center Stage host its next production, “Harvey,” at the school this fall, according to the Center Stage website.
That production is scheduled to run from Sept. 30 to Oct. 22.
