Former Auto Repair Building Could Be Turned Into Affordable Housing Units In Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — More affordable housing units could be coming to Stamford at the site of a former auto repair shop.

The Stamford Planning Board in late April approved a purchase and sale agreement between the City of Stamford and 41 Main Street Housing Partners LLC for the building at 41 Main St.

On May 21, the Board of Representatives Land Use/Urban Redevelopment Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the sale and development of the site.

The building was previously a Midas auto care facility. Midas left the property in spring 2024 after its lease wasn't renewed, and the site was acquired by the city in a land swap with RBS.

Stamford later issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking qualified developers to develop affordable housing for students, seniors and income-constrained households at 41 Main St., and Main Street Housing Partners LLC was chosen.

The developer submitted a proposal to purchase the property for $7.85 million, of which $250,000 will be in the form of a cash payment.

The remaining $7.6 million will be a "Cash Equivalency Consideration" credit for developing 55 units of affordable housing, according to submitted documents.

Todd McClutchy, president of JHM Group of Companies, and Anthony Gaglio, president of Viking Construction, are listed as the developers under Main Street Housing Partners LLC.

The units would include a mix of one-and two-bedroom apartments for rent:

Bridget Fox, the chief of staff for Mayor Caroline Simmons, said during the April 28 Planning Board meeting that the site is in the heart of downtown Stamford and "offers an excellent location for new affordable housing units."

The building is 47,800 square feet and sits on a .38-acre parcel.

"Its location is within walking distance to the train, as well as community amenities and services. Recognizing that increasing affordable housing stock is a key priority for the mayor, our team determined not to renew the lease agreement with the prior tenant, Midas, and instead pursued the possibility of leveraging the property for affordable housing," she said.

It could take up to two years for the project to be completed.

More information on Thursday's Board of Reps. public hearing can be found here.