The new estimated cost of the Danbury Career Academy is $164 million.  Danbury residents will be asked to sign off in another bond referendum, having previously approved $99 million for the project.  The funding would cover the land purchase as well as retrofitting and furnishings among other related costs.

The proposed sale price of the Cartus building and surrounding land is $57.2 million.  Danbury would be acquiring 24 acres containing the main building, 6.4 vacant acres in a lower lot and Apple Ridge Road. 

The property will be rezoned and the agreement calls for the City to be allowed ample time and regular early entry to the building prior to closing for design phase work. 

The target closing date is July 29th, or within 60 days after the signing of the formal purchase contract by both parties. 

According to the letter to the Council, it's the intention and goal of the City to accomplish the closing with all deliberate speed, given the City's extremely pressing educational need for appropriate additional space and both parties are expected to be cooperative and collaborative.  Corporation Counsel Bob Yamin says the City is very interested and committed to acquiring the property and developing it into the much-anticipated, much needed Danbury Career Academy, and in finalizing the transaction as soon as possible. 

A recommendation is being made to the Danbury City Council to abandon the 89 Wooster Heights/25 Miry Brook land acquisition project.  $790,000 was approved by the Council is September 2019 for the purchase for airport purposes, with an FAA grant.  It was later determined that neither property would be eligible for the grant.  Finance Director David St Hilaire says some of the City funding should now be repurposed for estimated preliminary costs associated with the Danbury Career Academy,  $720,000 could be used for things like a site survey, appraisal, architectural design services and a conditions report. 

The City Council is holding a special meeting at 7:30 tonight on the proposal.