John Guedes, in a photo from his company’s website.
ANSONIA — Last week The Primrose Companies of Bridgeport submitted a proposal to build a $14 million sports complex on Olson Drive.
Click here or here for previous Valley Indy stories.
The move was in response to the city issuing a request for proposals, essentially asking developers how they would use the property for recreation purposes.
The eight acres in question used to hold about 160 federally-subsidized units called the Riverside Apartments.
The city does not own the land, but they are trying to acquire it. They hope to sell it to a developer who will build a complex that will add money to the tax rolls and enhance opportunities for recreation space in Ansonia.
But the Ansonia Housing Authority owns the land, and the property has a deed restriction from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development that prohibits anything other than housing from being built there.
The city and the housing authority are applying to HUD to remove the restriction so that Ansonia can make an offer to buy the land.
The Primrose Companies is led by John Guedes, a developer known locally for his company’s work in Shelton.
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.
The developer is also requesting a 20-year tax break that calls for the current tax rate to be frozen for three years so the facility can be built and the business made stable.
Then there would be a five percent annual tax increase for the remaining 17 years, according to the proposal from Guedes to the city.
At the moment, there is no deal in place between the city and Primrose Companies. It’s the official start of the conversation.
Any contract would have to be approved by the Board of Aldermen. Any site plans would have to be reviewed by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
In advance of last week’s Valley Indy article about the proposal, Guedes answered a few questions over email. The answers are reprinted below, and have been slightly edited for style and length.
Contributed by the City of Ansonia
A conceptual drawing showing a sports complex on Olson Drive in Ansonia.
Valley Indy: I’m wondering — why did you submit this proposal?
John Guedes: “My organization specializes in design, development and construction. I have been at it for over 40 years.
In the past 15 years I have focused on the Valley towns. Some of the programs had long, unsuccessful municipal approval processes — with others having great success.
As you know, the Valley towns were dependent on old industries that have closed down, leaving the towns with economically challenging times, with each community dealing with similar redevelopment efforts.
One of my successful development programs has been the Shelton riverfront development on Canal Street in the Shelton downtown area.
Last year I met with Ansonia Economic Development officials regarding possible interest in city downtown redevelopment programs.
At that time I was made aware of the Olson Drive property.
I was also made aware that the property was owned by the Ansonia Housing Authority and that its future use was controlled by HUD, and that HUD had certain redevelopment restrictions and would need to approve any future use, and that any use needed to provide a public benefit.
In discussing the potential uses of the property with business associates, I was informed that there was a need for soccer training facilities. There are a limited number of facilities in southwest and central Connecticut.
I investigated it and decided that it the site could accommodate a sports complex that could meet the needs of Ansonia and surrounding communities.”
VIS: Ansonia often gets tagged as a distressed city where it is hard for businesses to flourish. Why do you think an investment such as this is worth it?
Guedes: “When I began my redevelopment program on Canal Street in downtown Shelton in 2003, similar questions were asked. Here we are fifteen years later and the revitalization continuous.
It required a vision and a belief that the time had come. I believe that Ansonia and all of the other Valley towns are all ripe for redevelopment.
It just requires individuals to take a chance.
When the Town of Seymour approached me with the LoPresti school building, I decided that it was worth purchasing and converting it into 37 apartments.
We now own it manage it and it is financially successful.”
VIS: Are you aware of any other recreation-related complexes such as this where the town and a developer partner in this fashion?
Guedes: “Partnerships between government and the private sector are always successful. However, since these types of sports facilities are limited throughout the State, I do not know of any.”
VIS: Does the vision call for Ansonia rec and school leagues to use the facility for free?
Guedes: “The facilities will be available for use by the City. However, the use and compensation are yet to be negotiated. It will not be for free.
Aside from the $12 million investment to build the facilities, there is also the consideration for their maintenance and operational costs.
Keep in mind, keeping the property as is derives no tax benefits to the City.
This development will not only bring development attention to the downtown area, but also generate future tax income for the City.”
