news
• SPRING 2019 • NUMBER 58
STAMFORD DOWNTOWN LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT, SANDY GOLDSTEIN A Vibrant Downtown The Downtown sparkled in a sea of 292,840 lights this past winter, creating drama in the nighttime sky. The majestic oak at The Ferguson Library shined with 12,000 lights and Columbus Park’s oak had 63,650 lights and literally took your breath away—the tree was beauty on steroids! Sandy Goldstein, President
The excitement continues as we enter spring and summer. Now, instead of lights there will be new programs designed to engage, delight and invite interaction. Look forward to the following: Space Invasion in Stamford Downtown – Thirty creative sculptures depicting space ships and UFOs painted by a juried group of talented artists will be placed throughout the Downtown. This exhibit is a must see for art lovers and space aficionados. We look forward to hosting many school groups throughout June. ARTWALK – Enjoy the work of Stamford’s fine artists as they exhibit their artwork at the shops along Bedford Street, UConn Stamford Art Gallery, Franklin Street Works and the Stamford Art Association. Come downtown on June 28th, walk our inviting streets and enjoy the creativity of our artists.
physically fit (and not so fit) to compete in a 3.5 mile obstacle race along closed city streets. Summer Vibes in Latham Park – New this year—Latham Park will be the site of a dynamic series of free events including chess, Zumba, Bollywood, Strollercize, yoga, cardio classes, Monday Night Movies for millennials coupled with a beer garden – and much, much more. Stamford Downtown Portal – New this year—Portals are a network of immersive AV environments from around the world, bringing you face-to-face with someone in a distant Portal in a far away country. Have a conversation with someone in India, play the sax with a musician in Nairobi, share lunch with friends in Mexico City. That and so much more in a container with patented technology designed to facilitate interactions with people all over the world. Retail Pop-Ups – New this year—Retail pop-ups along Bedford Street designed to add “oomph” to the retail environment. Visit and enjoy these unique experiences. Of course, there is still Alive@Five, Wednesday Nite Live and A Grand Summer Night to bring you Downtown during the spring and summer. Go to our website Stamford-Downtown.com to get details of where and when.
Brews on Bedford – In its 3rd year, Brews on Bedford brings 1,000 people to Latham Park to enjoy the craft beer celebration, replete with music and games. City Challenge – New this year! An exciting, energizing race with a cutting edge group of activities. It engages the
Rescue, Flavia Moraes Lodato
Sugar Crash, Lawrence Cassidy
Roquette Nouveau, David Macharelli
Board of
COMMISSIONERS
CHAIRMAN: Greg Caggainello, Sr. Vice President Reckson, a Division of SL Green VICE CHAIRMAN: Marjan Murray, Executive Vice President People’s United Bank TREASURER: Dan Stolzenbach, General Manager Stamford Town Center SECRETARY: Keith Grabow, Owner FASTSIGNS of Stamford IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR: Reyno A. Giallongo, Jr., Chairman & CEO, First County Bank Bruce Berg, Executive Vice President Cappelli Group Carl Bildner, President Bildner Capital Corp. Ralph Blessing, Land Use Bureau Chief City of Stamford George Boyce, Agent State Farm Insurance Co. John Cannavino, Principal Cummings & Lockwood Heather Cavanagh, President & CEO Stamford Chamber of Commerce Terrence Cheng, Director, Stamford Campus UCONN-Stamford Msgr. Stephen DiGiovanni Basilica of St. John the Evangelist Paul Dillane, Owner Hudson Social Stephen J. Hoffman, Managing Partner Hoffman Investment Partners LLC Russ Hollander, President R. Hollander: Master Goldsmith Inc. Robert H. Kahn, President United Realty, Inc. Robert Karp, President BE Rep Group Peter Kempner, Principal The Kempner Group Alice S. Knapp, President Ferguson Library Beth Krupa Beth Krupa Interiors Diana Lenkowsky, Vice President Purdue Pharma L.P. Todd Lindvall, Area General Manager Courtyard by Marriott Stamford Downtown Residence Inn by Marriott Stamford Downtown Gregory Lodato, President MarLo Associates, Inc. Norman Lotstein, Vice President Pyramid Real Estate Group Thomas Madden, Director of Economic Development City of Stamford Michael Marchetti Columbus Park Trattoria David R. Martin, Mayor City of Stamford Frank J. Mercede, President & CEO Frank Mercede & Sons, Inc. Robert Musumeci, President RTA International, Inc. Michael Pollard, Mayor’s Chief of Staff City of Stamford Matthew Quinones, President & Deputy Mayor Stamford Board of Representatives Randall M. Salvatore, President RMS Companies, LLC Paul Senecal, CBSE Managing Partner United Services of America Dr. Sharon J. White Consulting Firm of Dr. Sharon J. White & Associates, LLC Brett Wilderman, Principal Forstone Capital, LLC Tracie Wilson, Sr. VP of Programming and Development NBCUniversal Steven Wise Steven Wise Associates, LLC
Summer Vibes in Latham Park From May – September, there will be many new events planned for Latham Park, at the intersection of Bedford, Forest and Spring Street. In an effort to enliven one of the neighborhood parks, Stamford Downtown has collaborated with Stamford YMCA, PhatBurn, Life Cycle, Stamford Yoga Center, BarbaraEntertains.com, Kunjan Collective, Mill River Park Collaborative, and the National Educational Chess Association to bring free exercise classes, badminton playtime, The Ferguson Library popup story times, soft music on Sundays in May and open chess to the Park for the season.
We will be holding five Monday Night Movies throughout the summer! The series, sponsored by The Avon Theatre featuring Half Full Brewery, will start with a showing of Office Space, on June 3rd. Bring your picnic basket and blanket and enjoy our outdoor movies in Latham Park. See the full schedule at stamforddowntown.com/what-to-do/events.
8/5 Bohemian Rhapsody
6/24 Anchorman
7/15 Liar Liar
7/22 Clueless
6/3 Office Space
Pop-Up Stores Coming this Spring… Designed by Stamford Downtown’s Retail Committee, the new Retail PopUp Program aims to attract experiential and innovative retailers, independent brands and e-commerce entrepreneurs to Stamford Downtown’s retail streets. We are creating “cool” retail experiences, geared to a wide range of Stamford’s demographic population. Stay tuned for new pop-up store announcements, assured to diversify and enhance our retail offerings in Downtown, while activating vacant storefronts. The program’s goal is
to activate 5-10 storefronts with exciting retail concepts. The program will kick off with J.Hilburn (custom men’s wear) at 95 Bedford Street from April 22nd to June 22nd. This trendy retailer will be sponsoring Thursday night events with plans to host four other pop-ups in their space including home accessories and leather luxury goods brands plus a bridal event planner. For information on pop-up opportunities, e-mail retail@stamford-downtown.com.
Sandy Goldstein, President Lynne Colatrella Vice President, Events & Marketing Michael T. Moore Vice President, Operations Jacqueline R. Wetenhall Vice President, Retail Development Annette R. Einhorn Director, Events & Marketing Maryann Rockwood Executive Administrator Cheryl Vukelic Sr. Manager, Operations Kate Cook Manager, Events & Marketing Marisa Rogo Manager, Operations & Retail Joanne Parsons Streetscape Coordinator Published by: Stamford Downtown Special Services District Five Landmark Square, Suite 110, Stamford, CT 06901 Tel: (203) 348-5285 Fax: (203) 348-6857 www.stamford-downtown.com Publisher: Sandy Goldstein | Editor: Marisa Rogo
J. Hilburn
Stamford Downtown City Challenge Obstacle Race On Sunday, July 28th, Stamford Downtown will partner electrocution, or fire--it’s an urban obstacle course designed with City Challenge to produce a world class urban obstacle for the urban athlete. Starting and ending at Mill River Park, the obstacle course will be in race. Those familiar the middle of the streets and with Tough Mudder and parks, using items found in Spartan know the concept, urban environments such as but unlike the other police and taxi cars, cement guys, the City Challenge blocks and tires to challenge Obstacle Race won’t have the athlete. The event will you tossing your sneakers strike the perfect balance in the nearest dumpster between fun and physicality. after the race. The race will not have water, mud,
Atlantic Street Grill-Art Placemaking Pilot
Stamford Downtown will expand its placemaking programming by implementing a public art project along the Atlantic Street Corridor. The project has the goal of improving visual connectivity between The Ferguson Library and Old Town Hall. Tree bed grills along Atlantic Street will be converted into colorfully painted, geometric palettes. With the success of this project, Stamford Downtown envisions implementing similar scale Placemaking projects throughout Downtown.
Stamford Downtown intends this public art initiative to be inclusive of community stakeholders by incorporating service-based organizations such as Future 5, Laurel House or Inspirica. Stamford Downtown and Liz Squillace of Paradox Ink, the Bridgeport artist whose design was chosen for the project, will guide and oversee the volunteers or artists from these organizations so they have a positive experience while engaging in an enriching project.
Grill-Art Design
Downtown Discoveries
With seating for over 1,900 and designed by Thomas W. Lamb, The Palace Theatre (61 Atlantic St.) was praised as “Connecticut’s Most Magnificent” when it opened it in 1927. Restored in 1983 for live theatre, opera, dance, comedy and concerts, The Palace remains one of the grandest theaters ever built in the state.
The Palace Theatre Opening Night Advertisement
The Palace Theatre in 1927
Ambassador of the Year Block-By-Block, Stamford Downtown’s vendor for its Ambassador and Environmental Maintenance Service, has recognized Maggie Rivera as its Ambassador of the Year for her dedication to Stamford. In addition to nightly Ambassador patrols and assisting with management of the larger Ambassador team, Maggie has distinguished herself by her commitment to creating a safe Downtown. She helped conduct a tour for UConn Stamford’s international students and made such a positive impression that students from the tour sought her out for assistance with obtaining drivers licenses. She has also played a significant role in Stamford Downtown’s efforts to respond to homelessness. Maggie, and Stamford Downtown’s Lead Ambassador Bob Cornell, have been successful in connecting multiple homeless individuals with more permanent housing options. Recently, Maggie was the first onscene to assist a stroke victim, contacting emergency personnel and waiting until medical personnel arrived. Stamford Downtown is proud of Maggie and her contributions which ensures that Stamford Downtown is safe and a welcome environment for residents, visitors and businesses! Ambassador of the Year: Maggie Rivera STAMFORD DOWNTOWN FIVE LANDMARK SQUARE SUITE 110 STAMFORD, CT 06901 P: 203.348.5285
• SPRING 2019
• NUMBER 58
STAMFORD DOWNTOWN NEWSLETTER
STAMFORD DOWNTOWN EVENTS SUMMER 2019 Please visit stamford-downtown.com for more information on events
Space Invasion in Stamford Downtown June – August A distinguished outdoor sculpture exhibit designed to attract both local and regional audiences. Art in Public Places features sculptures lining the sidewalks and parks of Stamford Downtown. Opening Celebration: Wednesday, June 12 Summer Vibes in Latham Park May – September Latham Park in Stamford Downtown Free exercise classes, chess, badminton play, Music on Sundays, pop-up story times and much more! Monday Movie Night in Latham Park Monday, June 3, 24, July 15, 22, August 5, Dusk Latham Park in Stamford Downtown Bring a blanket and watch a free movie in the Park. Stamford Downtown Property Owner Annual Meeting & Dinner Monday, June 17 Sheraton Stamford Downtown
Make Music Day Friday, June 21 Part of an international event, “Make Music Day” will take place in public spaces throughout Stamford Downtown. Open to any musicians at any level, all ages and genres. For more information, please visit makemusicday.org/stamford Stamford Downtown Farmers Market Saturdays, June 22 – October 26 Prospect Street at Latham Park Visit our farmers market with vendors offering the freshest fruits, vegetables, flowers, baked goods and more! Straight from the farm and right to your home. ARTWALK in Stamford Downtown Friday, June 28 5-8pm throughout Stamford Downtown Artwork from professional artists will be displayed in galleries on a walking route of Stamford Downtown.
Brews on Bedford Saturday, June 29 Latham Park on Bedford Street Join us for Brews on Bedford. Fill your sampling glass with beers from a variety of different breweries from across the region. Wednesday Nite Live Wednesday Evenings, July 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7 6:30 pm, Columbus Park Summer sizzles in Stamford Downtown with a hot music series in Columbus Park. Alive@Five - Outdoor Summer Concert Series Thursday Evenings, July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8 5:00 pm, Columbus Park Live music from national and regional headliners, which attract after work crowds. Great music, great dancing and great times! Over 21 only. City Challenge Obstacle Race Sunday, July 28 Are you ready to really see what you’ve got? City Challenge features the most obstacles per mile of any race and includes challenges throughout Stamford Downtown including rope climbs, sand bag carries, cargo nets to climb and more!
A Grand Summer Night Wednesday, August 14 Organized by the “Friends of Stamford Downtown” this annual fund-raiser salutes fine dining in Stamford Downtown. Stamford Tables Summer Restaurant Weeks August 19 – September 1 Stamford Restaurant Weeks is a great way to celebrate the summer with specially priced menus at numerous restaurants Arts & Crafts on Bedford September 14 & 15 Shop at over 100 craft and artisan boutiques on Bedford Street, which will be closed to traffic for the weekend. Dine in our extended sidewalk cafés. Bark in the Park Sunday, September 22 Latham Park Join us for a fun-filled day for dog owners and dog lovers alike. The day will feature an agility course, demonstrations, pet vendors and more!