TRUMBULL – Now that most of the town’s economy is thriving post-pandemic, First Selectman Vicki Tesoro is taking aim at two areas that need help: the Trumbull Mall and Trumbull Center.
Tesoro, who has been in office since 2018, believes her administration led by Rina Bakalar as economic and community development director can turn things around at the mall and downtown just as they have done for the rest of the town. That is part of her vision for Trumbull that she shared with members of the Trumbull Chamber of Commerce and Bridgeport Regional Business Council Tuesday at her State of the Town address to the business community.
“We continue to have our challenges in Trumbull Center and at the Trumbull Mall,” Tesoro said. “As I have said, while these areas continue to have challenges they also present many opportunities. We continue to work the property owners in both areas to support transformation.”
She mentioned that in Trumbull Center, in addition to a mixed-use development that the town expects to get underway once interest rates come down, there are some businesses that have opened up there.
“We have Next Chapter bookstore and café. It is an amazing bookstore that has run through the ELITE program,” she said.
As for the Trumbull Mall, which is under new ownership, she told chamber and BRBC members at Tashua Knolls Restaurant & Country Club Tuesday that there have been some recent developments.
“Our Trumbull Mall feasibility study is being finalized,” Tesoro said. “This extensive deep dive has resulted in a transformative vision for the area. Over time, they will be able to add over 1 million square feet of infill development to the mall property. The area will transform from a group of buildings in a huge sea of parking into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood.
“Over the next few months, my staff will be meeting with Planning and Zoning to go over some regulation changes for the area that will set the stage for investment. We are taking this to the marketplace to attract new investors. I will be taking this to our state legislative delegation to seek a partnership with the state to support the transformation of the Trumbull Mall.”
Economic accomplishments
Not one to rest on her laurels, the first selectman did point out the financial strength of the town as more businesses and residents have put down stakes there.
“Let me state unequivocally that the state of our town is excellent. Our finances are strong. Economic development is robust. Our investment in education continues to be (second to none),” she said. “Trumbull continues to be the place to be.”
As she lauded the efforts of her staff and economic and community development director Bakalar, Tesoro made her case for the town’s growing viability. She cited that the town continues to see the highest move-in rates across the state and that the average sales price rose 4 percent this year.
“Just a few weeks ago, Realtor.com named Trumbull the 16th hottest ZIP Code in the nation for people wanting to purchase a home,” Tesoro said. “This designation is based on market demand data including the number of unique viewers seeking property and the days of property on the market.”
Regarding the rate of new businesses that have joined the Trumbull landscape, Tesoro cited the major uptick of 496 new business registrations last year compared to under 300 annually in 2017. So far this year the town has welcomed Integrated Dermatology, Thrive, Aspired Living and Learning, TLC Homecare, Choice Pet, Ross Dress for Less and others, she said.
And just last week the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a 12,000-square-foot medical office building in Long Hill Green adjacent to the Long Hill Market Plaza. That building will house Pediatric Healthcare Associates, a Trumbull business that is relocating there next year.
“As I have said many times over the past seven years, my vision for Trumbull is a simple one: a safe community with excellent schools and various housing options and ample recreational facilities and a sound financial profile,” Tesoro said.
