Potential Fort Trumbull developer is endorsed by New London council

New London - The City Council gave a unanimous nod Thursday to the Westport firm that wants to build Greek Revival-style townhouses in the Fort Trumbull neighborhood.

With the council's endorsement, the New London Development Corp. will now start negotiations with Riverbank Construction for 80 units of rental housing on land that was once federal property.

Father-and-son developers Irwin and Robert Stillman met with councilors on Thursday and appeared at the City Council's Economic Development Committee meeting Thursday night.

The younger Stillman, Robert, said his company wants to build a village-like community that will complement Fort Trumbull State Park and the waterfront. It would comprise high-end rental units of at least 1,500 square feet each with 9-foot ceilings. The units would be suitable for conversion to condominiums when the economy improves, he said.

In addition to giving the NLDC the go-ahead to start negotiations on a development agreement, the council voted to include City Manager Martin Berliner, Mayor Rob Pero and Councilor Martin Olsen, who is chairman of the economic development committee, in discussions with the Stillmans.

Robert Stillman said when the two sides are close to an agreement, his company would have a meeting with the community.

Thursday's action does not impede an effort to bring representatives from a Yale University urban architectural program to the community to discuss the future of the neighborhood.

Both plans can be done at the same time, according to Deputy Mayor Adam Sprecace.

k.edgecomb@theday.com