Are Apartments In The Cards For Empty Retail Space At Danbury Mall?

DANBURY, CT — A new proposal under consideration from the City's Planning and Zoning Commission could see up to 75,000 square feet of retail space at the Danbury Fair Mall be converted into apartments.

Danbury Mall LLC is asking for an amendment to city zoning regulations that would allow it to create a "24-hour environment" in a portion of the mall. That space could include apartments and a brew pub. The mall's owners would like the entire 116-acre site to be designated as a Mixed-Use Regional Mall Zoning District, which would greatly expand their commercial use options at 7 Backus Avenue.

On the radar is the space once occupied by Lord & Taylor, and abandoned for years. The proposal would allow for the build-out of as many as 144 residential units there.

Arnold Finaldi, chairman of the city's Planning & Zoning Commission, said he doesn't want to see the Danbury Fair Mall end up featured on some internet documentary.

"The unfortunate reality is that you can go on YouTube anytime and watch a video on the 'rise and fall of the American mall,' or 'dead malls' or 'abandoned malls,' and we certainly don't want our mall to be featured on any of these videos. You have to change with the times."

The Danbury Fair Mall contains 1.6 million square feet of retail space, according to an attorney for the mall in a zoning application dated Aug. 11.

The need for new homes and apartments n Danbury is "well-documented," Finaldi said, "and is not under dispute from anybody."