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George Ciaccio and the rest of the board of directors of Wilton Commons Inc. will approach the town today in hopes of extending the lease for the third time before the Dec. 8 expiration date. Ciaccio believes this time will be different for the senior living facility he wants to build.
"While this is the third time we are having a Town Meeting to request an extension, the main difference this time is that we have been approved by the state and have secured the state funding to build Wilton Commons," Ciaccio said in a statement.
The total project will cost $9.6 million, $2 million of which Wilton Commons received from more than 100 contributors. The other $7 million is secured in state funding, which was recently awarded by Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and the state Department of Economic and Community Development, and has the support of Gov. M. Jodi Rell.
Wilton Commons plans to enter into an 85-year lease agreement with the town of Wilton to secure 4.8 acres of land north of Trackside Teen Center. The senior living facility will pay $1 a year, a commitment value of more than $2 million.
The nonprofit project began work in 2003 but was delayed because of the economic downturn. The funding finally came together and groundbreaking is scheduled for next summer.
The first phase will have 51 one-bedroom apartments and other amenities and be ready for occupancy in 2013. The group intends to start a second phase to add 20 to 25 additional units as was originally planned.
The town meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at Middlebrook School. Tonight will be the only opportunity for Wilton residents to voice their opinions and vote on Wilton Commons.
Do you support the plans to build the senior living facility in town? Will you attend the meeting tonight? Add your comments on the plan below.
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