“Well Worth It”: Gilbert & Bennett Preservation Studies Move Forward as Due Diligence Begins

Wilton’s Historic District and Historic Properties Commission (HDHPC) says two long-awaited studies examining the future of the historic, Town-owned Gilbert & Bennett school building are beginning to move forward, marking the start of a broader due diligence process for the vacant Georgetown property.

Earlier this year, HDHPC began publicly advocating for more due diligence on the building after Town officials discussed a proposal from Wilton-based Twelve Gods Brewery to purchase the property and open a brewery and restaurant there. 

The proposal prompted renewed public debate over the future of the property, including calls from residents and preservation advocates for a broader exploration of preservation-focused alternatives before any sale or redevelopment moves forward.

The G&B building has been vacant since Wilton’s Health Department deemed it “unsafe to occupy” in September 2024.

HDHPC later sought and was awarded two separate $20,000 Historic Preservation Enhancement Grants: one to fund a conditions assessment of the building, and the second to fund a feasibility study that will evaluate adaptive reuse possibilities and explore realistic alternatives for the property while keeping preservation as a goal.

At the commission’s Tuesday, May 12 meeting, HDHPC Chair Lori Fusco said both efforts are progressing steadily and are expected to move ahead in parallel through the summer.

Following a request for proposals (RFP) and an on-site walk-through of the building attended by eight interested bidders, HDHPC has received multiple bids for a conditions assessment from vendors Fusco described as “strong candidates.” Commissioners will now review the proposals and move into the interview phase, with the goal of selecting a consultant as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the feasibility study RFP is nearly “buttoned up,” Fusco said, and could be sent to Town counsel for review as soon as next week. Once posted, another walk-through will be offered to bidders before final proposals are submitted. Fusco said findings from the conditions assessment will help inform the feasibility study, but much of the work can occur simultaneously through the summer, with the goal of completing both studies by fall. 

Fusco is pleased with the progress being made.

“If we get the kind of excitement and interest for the feasibility study that we had for the conditions assessment, I think we’re going to be in really good shape,” Fusco said.

“So many people were interested in having this due diligence done,” Fusco added.“It’s been a lot of effort, but I think it’s going to be well worth it.”

Fusco expects both studies will be well underway this summer, with monthly updates until they are completed in early fall. She said community forums to gather resident input on possible future uses of the property are expected to be part of the feasibility study process.

Greater Georgetown

In discussing the feasibility study, Fusco pointed to the master planning process currently underway for the former Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill in neighboring Redding as part of its Revitalize Georgetown initiative.

Fusco stressed that any redevelopment direction pursued in Georgetown could provide important context as Wilton considers future options for its own G&B school property.

“Whoever looks at [Wilton’s] Gilbert and Bennett [school] has to be mindful of what’s going on over there,” Fusco said, referring to the nearby portions of Georgetown that fall within Redding’s town lines. “They have a whole plan [that] would be impactful to this area as well.”

Fusco also noted that Redding’s project received partial funding through a $2 million “brownfield” environmental remediation grand — funding Wilton cannot access for the school property. Still, she said, watching how Redding’s vision for Georgetown advances could be instructive as Wilton considers options for its own Gilbert & Bennett site.

“They are very mindful of maintaining the historic nature of those buildings,” Fusco remarked. “It’s a good example of what a vision could be. It’ll be fun to see how they move forward with that plan.”

Other Updates

Commissioners also discussed several additional preservation-related matters during the meeting:

• Legislation: Fusco updated commissioners on the status of proposed state legislation, HB5508, “An Act Concerning Historic Districts and Historic Preservation” which stalled during the latest legislative session and is now being reexamined by a task force. Fusco had previously discussed her objections to aspects of the bill which would impact the commission’s authority. She called the latest developments “very good news.”

• Ambler Farm Yellow House: Commissioners celebrated the 2026 Annual Town Meeting bonding referendum vote result which approved $1,367,749 to fund renovations to the historic Platt Raymond “Yellow House” at Ambler Farm, with 68% of voters supporting the measure. Fusco called it “great news” and “definitely a positive step forward” after years of “fighting to try to get attention on this building”. She also noted it still remains unclear whether the Town will accept a $50,000 matching grant award for lead remediation, which is expected to be part of the renovation work.

• Town Hall (238 Danbury Rd): Town Hall remains on HDHPC’s watch list as a historic asset. Fusco said there are no new updates on potential campus renovations, but commissioners will keep monitoring town board meetings for any new discussions.

• 254 Danbury Rd. (former Baptist Church): Fusco noted that the proposal’s affordable housing issues are now resolved, but the new townhouse development project is still expected to retain the historic church architecture, which commissioners viewed as a positive outcome.

• 329-331-345 Belden Hill Rd (School Sisters of Notre Dame property): HDHPC has prepared a letter with objections to a developer’s proposal to demolish the historic Vollmer House on the SSND property. The letter will be entered into the record whenever the application is formally docketed at the Planning and Zoning Commission.