BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CHAIRMAN Laure Aubuchon, Director Stephen J. Hoffman, Managing Partner Office of Economic Development Hoffman Investment Partners City of Stamford VICE CHAIRMAN Goitom Bellete, President DSSD BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS GB Parking Front left to right: Richard E. Taber, Michael Marchetti, Marjan Murray, Sandy Goldstein, Stephen J. Hoffman, Marjan Murray, First Vice President, Kathryn Emmett, Norman Lotstein, Robert H. Kahn. Tri-State Market Manager Christopher L. Bergstrom, Executive Back left to right: Goitom Bellete, Courtney A. Nelthropp, Gregory Lodato, Robert Karp, Merle Spiegel, People’s United Bank Director, Urban Redevelopment Commission John Queenan, John J. DiMenna Jr., Mary Schaffer, Rocco Veltri, Carl Bildner, Joe Kelly, Randall M. Salvatore. Missing from photograph: Laure Aubuchon, Christopher L. Bergstrom, Greg Caggainello, Jack Condlin, TREASURER Carl Bildner, President Bildner Capital Corp. Michael M. Ego, Todd M. Kosakowski, Michael J. McAndrews, Lynn McGee, Michael A. Pavia, Kathryn Emmett, Esq. Randall M. Skigen, Robin Stein, Werner Valeur-Jensen, Kathleen E. Walsh, Steven Wise. Emmett & Glander Greg Caggainello, Sr. Vice President SECRETARY Reckson, a Division of SL Green Michael M. Ego, Associate Vice Provost John Queenan, Head of Environment Michael Marchetti Jack Condlin, President & CEO University of Connecticut, Stamford and Sustainability Columbus Park Trattoria Stamford Chamber of Commerce Robert H. Kahn, President, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN John J. DiMenna Jr., President United Realty of Connecticut, Inc. Randall M. Salvatore, Managing Director RMS Construction, LLC Richard E. Taber, Chairman & CEO Seaboard Properties, Inc. Robert Karp, President First County Bank BE Rep Group Mary Schaffer Joe Kelly, General Manager napa & co. Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa Randall M. Skigen, President & Deputy Todd M. Kosakowski, Managing Partner Mayor, Stamford Board of Representatives Post Road Entertainment Merle Spiegel, Senior Director of Corporate Gregory Lodato, President Communications, Purdue Pharma L.P. MarLo Associates, Inc. Robin Stein, Land Use Bureau Chief Norman Lotstein, Vice President City of Stamford Pyramid Real Estate Group Werner Valeur-Jensen, Owner Michael J. McAndrews, General Manager Valeur Realty Holding Co. Stamford Town Center Rocco Veltri, Regional Head of Security, Lynn McGee, Owner Americas, UBS Investment Bank The Bridal Suite Kathleen E. Walsh, President & CEO FRIENDS OF DOWNTOWN Courtney A. Nelthropp, Owner Stamford Partnership, Inc. From left to right: Front left to right: Eileen Heckerling, Elayne Jassey, Nancy Kucera, Maddy Shapiro, Sir Speedy Camille Tomasello, Sandy Goldstein, Joan Fields, Gail Malloy, Karen Denker, Lynne Fife, Ellen O’Neill, Steven Wise Betsy Levinson. Michael A. Pavia, Mayor Steven Wise Associates, LLC Missing from photograph: Ginny Fox, Phyllis Kapiloff, Alice Lyons, Pamela Mullender, Shae Rosenthal. City of Stamford DSSD STAFF Sandy Goldstein Annette Einhorn Maryann Rockwood President Director, Events & Marketing Executive Administrator John Ruotolo Jacqueline R. Wetenhall Cheryl Vukelic Vice President of Operations Director of Retail Development Operations Project Manager Lynne Colatrella Marion Glowka David Klein Vice President, Events & Marketing Streetscape Coordinator Coordinator, Events & Marketing DSSD STAFF Front left to right: Jacqueline Wetenhall, Lynne Colatrella, Sandy Goldstein, John Ruotolo. Back left to right: Maryann Rockwood, Marion Glowka, David Klein, Cheryl Vukelic, Annette Einhorn. Stamford Downtown Special Services District Five Landmark Square, Suite 110 | Stamford, CT 06901 | Phone: 203-348-5285 | Fax: 203-348-6857 | www.stamford-downtown.com Photography by Happyhaha Studio and John Follis | Design by: Vista Communications Group, Inc. LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN & THE PRESIDENT As the US economy struggled to regain its footing in 2009/10, Stamford Downtown’s economy continued VISION: to show moderate strength, albeit not at the dramatic heights indicative of its growth in the early 2000’s. Our District is the driving force of the city’s corporate, retail and cultural life with a compelling Grand List of The vision for Stamford Downtown $2.1 billion, 8.4% of the city’s total $24.9 billion. The Downtown’s Grand List has grown by 178% during is that of a 24-hour/seven day a week the last 5 years. This is noteworthy, considering the challenges of the economy. There are still critical market center for living, working, shopping, sectors (office, retail and housing) which have not risen to their former levels of vitality and which, when Stephen J. Hoffman, Sandy Goldstein, dining, education, culture and turned around, will be strong adrenaline for our economy. Chairman President entertainment. OFFICE SECTOR Our District is the driving force of the city’s corporate, retail and cultural life MISSION: There are currently 6.6 million square feet of office space in the Downtown. As of first quarter 2010, the with a compelling Grand List of $2.1 billion, 8.4% of the city’s total $24.9 billion. Downtown’s combined Class A&B office availability rate was 20.5%, a significant improvement over last “ The Downtown’s Grand List has grown by 178% during the last 5 years. The Downtown Special Services year’s 26.72% number. Stamford was the most active submarket in Fairfield County accounting for nearly District is responsible for creating, 44% of all leasing activity. A robust 58,600 people work within one mile of the Downtown. This year’s ” unemployment rate of 7.9% (March, 2010), while high if compared to the 5% of years 2005-7, is lower RESIDENTIAL SECTOR managing and promoting a quality than Fairfield County’s average of 8.4% or the national average of 9.7%. RBS’ new North American office environment for people, which The Downtown has not escaped the hits on the residential economy that have plagued the country. headquarters was fully occupied in September 2009. Its 574, 831 square foot building, with over 2,900 However, there are bright spots. Trump Tower with its 166 units has opened for occupancy with magnificent enhances the economic vitality of employees, is having a significant domino effect on the economy as more RBS employees access and apartments for sale. High Grove’s 93 upscale housing units are near completion. Construction has begun on the Downtown. spend at our restaurants, shops and hotels. the St. Andrew’s site for another 94 units with a projected early spring 2011 completion. Greenfield Partners, owners of the former Advocate site, has a compelling plan for 350 housing units. And, Richard Freedman is RETAIL GOALS: finalizing plans for 90 residential units in an office conversion at 800 Summer Street. The retail market in Stamford mirrors the weakened retail market nationwide. Yet there are many bright • To foster the Downtown’s economic spots worth noting. Restaurateurs are actively seeking to locate in the Downtown, adding to a very diverse OPERATIONS growth through a strong retail and rich mixture of eateries. Over the course of the next several months, look for the openings of Quattro The DSSD continues to maximize its Clean, Green and Safe Program. An electronic route monitoring system, recruitment and retention program. Pazzi, Sandella’s Flat Bread Café , Riviera Maya Authentic Mexican Cuisine and Tappo! The Restaurant Weeks installed this past year, confirms 15,000 Ambassador patrol circuits throughout the downtown. Our Clean program continues to be a real winner for our community with a 50% increase in patronage over last year. Team, on duty 7 days a week, covers 9 ½ miles of downtown sidewalks daily and removes over 23 tons of • To ensure the appropriate economic A significant Art Gallery, Fernando Luis Alvarez, opened on Bedford Street to join the other gallery on the garbage annually. Our Beautification Program brightens the Downtown with its multiple seasonal plantings in development of Stamford Downtown street, the Artistic Hand Blown Glass Shop. CVS/pharmacy will be opening on Forest Street in August 18 gardens, 6 parks, 10 parklets, multiple sidewalk gardens, 30 street planters and 145 hanging flower baskets. bringing an 11,418 sf, all-purpose drug store to the area to join our other Bedford Street pharmacy, the through comprehensive strategic Medicine Shoppe, located near the Avon Theatre. urban planning and advocacy. FUNDRAISING CULTURE Property owner assessments account for 51% of the DSSD’s budget with a strong DSSD fund development • To plan, initiate and manage program raising 48% of the budget from sponsorships and grants. The property owner return on investment The Stamford Center for the Arts emerged from bankruptcy during 2009 and is returning as the region’s enhanced operational services, is considerable. For every $1 of assessment paid by a property owner, $1.96 in Downtown services and significant cultural institution. A recent fundraiser honoring jazz giant, Dave Brubeck and former SCA Board programs is returned. which improve the Downtown’s Chairman, Mike Cacace, raised significant funds for the Center and played to a full house. The SCA is beginning outdoor environment. work on a long range Master Plan based on community and corporate input as another means of engaging the community. The NBC Universal lease with the SCA has stimulated the Downtown economy in many ways. • To attract people to the Downtown Each year an audience of 39,000 people visit NBC/Universal’s studio on Tresser Blvd, with 4,670 guests through targeted signature events appearing