The first of many steps has been taken to sell off a portion of the Schlumberger Property in Ridgefield.  When the town bought the 45 acres, the plan called for selling some back to recoup the $7-million cost. 

First Selectman Rudy Marconi says one proposal came in for 5-acres of land across from the main property on Old Quarry Road.  Developer Stephen Zemo is proposing to buy the land for $1.25 million.

Zemo is proposing a 48-unit hotel with suites, a self storage building and a third commercial building.  The town could get $115,000 in tax revenue from the hotel alone.  Marconi says the proposal fills a need in town.  He says a potential catering facility would also be a benefit to the town.

Marconi says when the Elms has closed, that left only the Inn, which is pretty well booked and deservedly so.  He says with the many church weddings and those at the community center, there is a need for hotel rooms so people have a place to stay in addition to the Inn.

Zemo's proposal would need Board of Selectmen approval, a public hearing and Town Meeting approval.

10 acres of the Schlumberger property could be sold to a developer for multi-family housing units, though when requests for proposals are sent out a provision would be that half of the land be left open.  About half of the parcel is wetlands and steep-sloped. 

The town is in talks to sell 13 acres, including the Philip Johnson building, to an art collector.