Contributed Photo
A 2019 illustration of a conceptual plan for Olson Drive.
ANSONIA — Mayor David Cassetti’s administration said there are still no formal agreements in place nor contracts signed between the City of Ansonia and The Primrose Companies, the developer that has been eyeing Olson Drive for a recreation facility since 2019.
The topic came up during an Ansonia Board of Aldermen meeting on Nov. 9.
Ansonia is in the process of acquiring land on Olson Drive owned by the Ansonia Housing Authority. The city is entertaining a proposal, after acquiring the land, to sell it to The Primrose Companies.
Alderwoman Diane Stroman said that during an Alderman meeting in October, corporation counsel John Marini said no deal had been finalized — but then, after the meeting, Stroman said she came across GOP campaign literature indicating a private recreation facility would be opening in 2023.
“When we walked away from that meeting, there was an understanding based on John, your response, that there was no deal, correct?” Stroman asked Marini Nov. 9.
“Exactly. And there is none,” Marini replied.
“So there’s no deal, but, during this campaign, there was a publication that was put out that showed the property, and showed the building for 2023. Now, talk about confusion,” Stroman said. “If you’re saying there is no deal, there’s no plan in place, we haven’t accepted anything … (why) put something out there that is reflecting that this is going to be happening,” Stroman asked.
Stroman is a Democrat who represents the Fourth Ward. She was not re-elected Nov. 2 in an election that saw Republicans gain a 13 – 1 majority on the Board of Aldermen. Last week was her last regularly-scheduled Aldermen meeting.
Marini is both Ansonia corporation counsel and chairman of the Ansonia Town Republican Committee.
Marini again said there is no agreement nor approvals in place for The Primrose Companies’ proposal for Olson Drive.
“What was put out there in a political flyer was obviously the intention of the party, telling the residents ‘Hey, if elected, this is what we want to do. But in terms of what this board has authorized? Yet to be authorized,” Marini said. “So that party needs to make good on its promise to get it done.”
Marini again stressed that no deals have been finalized with The Primrose Companies and the City of Ansonia.
However, Sheila O’Malley, the city’s economic development director and grant writer, indicated the Aldermen might have some pressure on them since the city told HUD, the federal agency that previously owned the Olson Drive land, that it would be used for some type of recreational activity in the future.
O’Malley pointed out the city issued a “request for proposals” for the future of Olson Drive, and accepted a proposal submitted by The Primrose Companies.
“I would say this with caution — that we had a formal bid process to which we received a response and we accepted that response,” O’Malley said during the meeting. “I want to be careful. I want to tell you that ‘Yes, you have to negotiate an agreement with the successful developers, but we did have a formal bid process (after) which we then told HUD that we are accepting that bid; and that that property would be used to create a recreational component or components,” O’Malley said.
Marini indicated the city isn’t married to The Primrose Companies’ vision for Olson Drive. He compared the current relationship with the company as the same one the city had with developer Jerry Nocerino, who the city was negotiating with over the purchase of the ATP/Palmer buildings in downtown Ansonia on Main Street. Eventually the two sides couldn’t work out a deal and the city found another buyer.
The complete conversation from the meeting is embedded below.
The Primrose Companies, by the way, based in Bridgeport and led by John N. Guedes, submitted a conceptual proposal to Ansonia City Hall Sept. 9, 2019 and offered to purchase the 8‑acre property for $250,000.
Guedes’ company wants to build:
- A 49,000 square-foot, “all sports” training building
- A 39,000 square-foot indoor soccer facility, and
- A FIFA regulation-size soccer field.
Those details — and that purchase price — have to be worked out.
In fact, the city still doesn’t own the property, which is now open space.
At the time of the 2019 proposal, Olson Drive was owned by the Ansonia Housing Authority, an entity under the jurisdiction of HUD, a federal agency.
The city and the housing authority had to get the federal HUD to sign off on a deal that will see the Ansonia Housing Authority sell the property to the City of Ansonia for $500,000, the fair market value of the property, officials said.
In an interview with The Valley Indy on Monday (Nov. 15), Marini said the city just has to schedule a closing date with the Ansonia Housing Authority to seal that deal, after which discussion with Guedes could begin in earnest.
O’Malley and Marini said a private proposal such as the one from the Primrose Companies could generate tax revenue while bringing more people near Ansonia’s bustling downtown.
In an emailed response to The Valley Indy in late September, Guedes said the COVID-19 pandemic slowed his plans for Olson Drive.
“We intend on closing on the property with the City within the next couple of months,” Guedes said. “Our intention is still to develop a sports training facility. However, due to the effects of COVID, our progress has slowed, and may slow it for the next two years. We are still committed, however, at a slower pace.”
