The Ridgefield Board of Selectmen is getting an update tonight from the Schlumberger Citizens Committee about what they proposed for the remaining 30 acres of land purchased by the town several years ago.  15 of the acres were sold to two developers for housing developments.  The group has been working for months to come up with viable ideas. 

More than 1,400 people responded to the online survey.  A majority of respondents said they want to keep the property as open space or to increase cultural offerings.  The recommendation is that the site be turned into a cultural center with an outdoor amphitheater, leasing out the former Schlumberger theater and converting the Philip Johnson building into a museum.  The former Skydome Building could be used as a warehouse for private collectors.

Concerns for the site included traffic. Many of the comments suggested the housing is not a desirable use for the rest of the site.

The survey then came up with specific uses within general topics. When asked about Active Open Space, athletic fields was tops. Walking trails garnered the highest response for Passive Open Space while an outdoor stage was the preferred Civic and Cultural use. If there were to be commercial development, nearly half said it should be niche retail. Single family housing earned the highest support if the property would be developed for housing.