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W H A T ’ S I N S I D E ? Stamford DowntownSpecial Services DistrictFive Landmark SquareSuite 110Stamford, CT 06901

PRESORTED STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

STAMFORD CTPERMIT NO 734

Editor’s LetterLETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SANDY GOLDSTEIN

Letter From The Executive Director ........1

Celebrating Woman..................................2

DSSD Remembers Pat Mahoney..............2

Avon Theatre Reopens ..............................3

Trends, Deals & Decisions .......................3

Cell Phone Recycling ................................3

Crown Theatres ........................................4

Downtown Summer Events......................4

Chef’s Corner ............................................4

A walk aroundthe Downtownaffords a wonderfulopportunity tosee the strengthof investmentand developmentin ourDowntown(DSSD)

community. Such development has been the catalyst for the District’s revitalization. The strength of the housing market stands out as Downtown’spremier success story. Urban housing creates a 24/7 environment. The 2011units of housing which existed before1997 were largely part of an aging housing stock. In 1996, AvalonCommunities recognized the strongdemographics of Stamford Downtown andinvested 52 million dollars to build 401market level rental housing units onBroad Street. So successful was the gamble that in 1999 Avalon investedanother 32.5 million dollars to build 195apartments on Washington Blvd. Todayvirtually every Downtown street has newmarket level housing built during the lastfive years: Forest Street (306 units); lowerSummer Street (143 units); Bedford

Street (160 units). Two thousand plusadditional units are scheduled for development during the next 5 years onWashington Blvd., Main Street, WestMain Street, Grey Rock Place and Forest Street. Housing development isparticularly important because it spurs astrong restaurant, small business andretail environment.

National and local retail developmentsare also very much a part of theDowntown landscape. Target, thenation’s second largest retailer is investing$50,000,000 into its urban, multistoriedproject on Broad Street. Scheduled toopen in September, 2004, it will produce180,000 square feet of retail, a 537 cargarage, a minimum of $800,000 in citytaxes and at least 250 jobs. But that’sonly the beginning. Target became thecatalyst for increased retail interest anddevelopment, starting with BurlingtonCoat Factory renovating the formerCaldor site to create an enhanced shopping environment.

Local retailers are also pouring investment dollars into the District. As one strolls down Atlantic Street, the activity at Safavieh Home & Carpet isvery noticeable. Safavieh has investedover $7,000,000 to build one of thelargest furniture stores in the region. Last

year the company generated $10,000,000in sales and projects sales of $5,000,000for its new initiative, Safavieh, AmericanHome, opening in May 2004. Such success will undoubtedly spur furtherpositive development on Atlantic Street.

The hotel sector is also active. BroadStreet is the site of a nearly completedMarriott Courtyard scheduled to open inthe Summer of 2004. This 115 roomhotel will have valet parking and 3,500 square feet of retail facing Broad Street.

The Entertainment Sector has beenstrong this past year as well. StamfordCenter for the Arts poured more than$2,500,000 into the renovation andexpansion of the Palace Theatre and coupled the magnificent renovation withan ambitious programming plan for the2004/2005 season. In January, 2004 thescaffolding was removed from the AvonTheatre unveiling a newly renovated twotheatre cinema designed to show classicand independent films.

The many developments signal healthand strength in the Downtown economy.The DSSD invites patrons to visit andenjoy the Downtown. Don’t hesitate tocall our office with suggestions forDowntown improvement.

Art in Public Places, Celebrating Woman

In Memory of Pat Mahoney

There will be manynew women inStamford Downtownthis summer when

over forty sculptures with women as its themeare displayed in Stamford Downtown.Celebrating Woman, presented by HeymanProperties in partnership with Stamford TownCenter and The Advocate/Greenwich Time fea-tures the works of thirteen renowned artistsfrom around the country. They will be on dis-play throughout the public places of StamfordDowntown and in Stamford Town Center, Junethrough August, 2004.

In conjunction with this exhibit, the DSSDwill also feature a juried photography exhibitCelebrating Woman which will be displayed inretail storefront windows throughout StamfordDowntown. At the conclusion of the exhibit,these photographs will be sold with the proceeds benefiting the Sexual Assault Crisis & Education Center and Bennett Center BreastCancer Awareness.

For more information or a map of exhibit locations, please call the DSSD at 203-348-5285 or check our website atwww.stamford-downtown.com in mid May.

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Board of COMMISSIONERS

ChairmanRichard E. Taber

Chairman & CEO, First County Bank

Vice ChairmanStephen J. Hoffman

Hoffman Investment Partners

TreasurerKathryn Emmett, Esq.

Emmett & Glander

SecretarySeth Berger

Director of OperationsBaby & Toy Superstore, Inc.

Immediate Past ChairmanRobert H. Kahn

President, United Realty of CT, Inc._____________________

Carl BildnerPresident, Bildner Capital Corp.

Mark BridgesExecutive Director, UBS Investment Bank

John P. CondlinPresident, Stamford Chamber of Commerce

Michael FreimuthDirector, Office of Economic Development

City of Stamford

Nancy GreenbergVice President, New Development

Heyman Properties, LLC

Robert KarpPresident, Business Environments

Mario J. Lodato, Jr.Chairman, MarLo Associates, Inc.

MarLo J. Lodato Real Estate

David E. LongVice President of Human Resources, Purdue Pharma LP

Norman LotsteinVice President, Pyramid Real Estate Group

Mayor Dannel P. MalloyCity of Stamford

David R. MartinPresident & Deputy Mayor

Stamford Board of Representatives

Michael J. McAndrewsGeneral Manager, Stamford Town Center

George E. Moredock, IIIArtistic Director, Stamford Center for the Arts

Marjan MurrayVice President, Regional Manager, People’s Bank

Courtney A. NelthroppOwner, Sir Speedy

Laszlo PappExecutive Director, Urban Redevelopment Commission

F.D. Rich IIISenior VP-Chief Information Officer

Reckson Associates Realty Corp.

Mary SchafferTelluride

Robin SteinLand Use Bureau Chief, City of Stamford

Werner Valeur-JensenOwner, Valeur Realty Holding Co.

_____________________

Sandy GoldsteinExecutive Director

John RuotoloDirector of Operations

Lynne ColatrellaDirector of Marketing & Special Events

Annette EinhornManager of Marketing & Special Events

Marion GlowkaStreetscape Coordinator

Maryann RockwoodAdministrative Assistant

Published Quarterly by:Stamford Downtown Special Services DistrictFive Landmark Square, Stamford, CT 06901-2704Tel: (203) 348-5285 Fax: (203) 348-6857www.stamford-downtown.com

Publisher: Sandy Goldstein Editor/Writer: Annette Einhorn

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of our dear friend PatMahoney. Pat was the VP of Property Management at RecksonAssociates and worked closely with us at the DSSD. He brought anextraordinary commitment to his work and the people he managed. Patwas the DSSD’s advisor on so many operational and management issues.We valued his advice and so gladly took it on many occasions.

Pat did not tell many people that he was ill, or that he fought cancer for more that 14 years andnot many people would have guessed. He met the challenge with extraordinary courage and livedwith his belief that life was precious and that positive thinking could conquer all. He was devotedto his wife Elaine, and his two children Nicole and Michael.

It was an honor and a privilege for all of us at the DSSD to know and work with so fine a man.He will be very deeply missed. Our deepest sympathies are extended to Elaine, Nicole andMichael, and to the crew at Landmark who worked under his leadership for so long.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mahoney Family Trust Fund, c/o First County Bank, 117Prospect St., Stamford, CT 06901.

ASHERAH II, WARM-UP, OLEANDERS, STANDING WOMAN,DAVID HOSTETLER JODY SILVER DENIS CURTISS BARBARA HOTZ

WOMAN ON A STOOL, GOSSIP, BEAUTIFUL WOMAN 3,LEONDA FINKE MARTHA PETTIGREW LETWIN MUGAVASI

We arepleased toannouncethe re-opening ofthe fullyrestoredAvonTheatre, featuringthe best ofindependent,world anddocumentary

films, foreign and Hollywood classics, and educational programming that will enhance thecultural richness of the Stamford Downtowncommunity.

The Avon has arich history,opening in 1939with the screening of theHollywood classic "It's aWonderful World."

The theatre’s owner, Samuel Weiss spared nothing in the construction of the theatre, hiringa renowned New York City architect WilliamHohauser to oversee the design. The architec-ture has been described as eclectic and whimsical,with a prevailing Neo-Colonial motif thatincorporated traditional Art Deco themes. Thetheatre is highlighted by a strikingly originalexterior facade, framed magnificently by arestored vertical "AVON" marquee that lightsup the Connecticut sky at night.

Interior murals commissioned by Oscar Glasembellish the theatre’s interior. Those murals,

newly renovated, remain ondisplay and adorn the sidewalls of the main floorauditorium. Glas' muralsevoke a sense of local historyby paying homage to theearly settlers and NativeAmericans of coastalStamford.

As was the case with numerous main streetmovie houses during the 80s and 90s, the Avonfell into serious disrepair. What had once beenhome to the best pictures on any of Stamford'ssilver screens became a neglected relic of thepast, finally closing its doors to the public inNovember of 1999.

In 2003, after sitting dormant for three years,Chuck Royce, a private investor, saved the the-atre by purchasing it and embarking on anambitious restoration project. The result of hisvision is a theatre that evokes the grandeur ofpast movie-going experiences.

"The goal of the Avon is to show timelessfilms, old and new, domestic and foreign, that reward the minds and hearts of our customers and live up to the Avon’s wonderfulenvironment" says John Farr, Senior VicePresident, Avon.

The Avon Theatre is open seven days a weekwith parking only steps away and is surrounded by many excellent restaurants.

We are very happy to welcome the renovatedAvon Theatre and look forward to its successfulfuture.

(Photos and editorial from www.avontheatre.com)

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The Avon Theatre is Back!

Keep Stamford Beautiful has discovered a creative way to raise funds without asking formoney. Instead, the organization asks you todonate your old cell phones. If you have an oldcell phone sitting on a shelf or in a drawer, justdrop if off at the Keep Stamford Beautiful officeat 5 Landmark Square, Suite 110 (located in thehallway leading from the Crown LandmarkMovie Theatre to the Stamford Town CenterMall). KSB will sell donated phones to a recycling company which focuses on funding

charitiesthrough mobilephone recycling. Some of thephones will bereprogrammed and sold to developing countries. The rest will be scrapped for parts,and will either be reused or recycled. Your donation helps Keep Stamford Beautiful andthe environment, so please bring in thoseunused cell phones!

Cell Phone Recycling

Trends, Deals &Decisions, Shaping

Stamford’s Retail Future

Stamford Downtown Special Services

District, SACIA and the Stamford Office

of Economic Development will host a

seminar on Wednesday, May 13 on

trends, deals and decisions that shape

Stamford’s retail future. Four industry

leaders will discuss demographic trends

and their impact on retail development

in Stamford. Durham Monsma,

Publisher/CEO of the Advocate, will

moderate a panel of guest speakers which

includes the following: Kenneth Narva,

Parter, Street-Works LLC discussing

national retail trends; Chris Bruhl, CEO

of SACIA leading a discussion on

regional demographics and their impact

on the future of Stamford’s growth;

Attorney Bill Hennessey discussing

current and proposed Stamford develop-

ments; and Scott Columb, Regional Real

Estate Manager, Property Development

for Target talking about Stamford as a

premier location for retail. The event

will take place at the Palace Theatre from

7:30 to 10:00 am on Thursday, May 13.

For more information or for an invitation

to attend this event, please contact the

DSSD at 203-348-5285 by May 1.

Sandy Goldstein congratulates AmbassadorsFernando DeOliveria, Myron Frager andJason Petrie as they receive outstanding performance awards for the special assistanceand back-up they provided to the StamfordPolice in late January.

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Stamford Downtown Special Services District

2004 Summer EventsCHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

May 8 12-6pm & May 9 12-4 pmWEEKEND-LONG CULTURAL EVENT IN MILL RIVER PARK.FEATURING TAIKO JAPANESE DRUMMING PERFORMANCES,

WORKSHOPS, DEMONSTRATIONS AND MUCH MORE.

SCULPTURE EXHIBIT IN

STAMFORD DOWNTOWN

June 2-August 31HEYMAN PROPERTIES PRESENTS ART IN PUBLIC PLACES -

CELEBRATING WOMAN IN PARTNERSHIP WITHSTAMFORD TOWN CENTER AND

THE ADVOCATE/GREENWICH TIME

ALIVE @ 5 OUTDOOR SUMMER

CONCERT SERIES

Thursday Evenings, June 24-July 29COLUMBUS PARK

LIVE MUSIC FROM NATIONAL AND REGIONAL HEADLINERS.GREAT MUSIC, GREAT DANCING AND GREAT TIMES!

FARMERS’ MARKET - COLUMBUS PARK

July through NovemberMONDAYS & THURSDAYS 10 AM – 3 PM

CONNECTICUT GROWN! COME DOWN TO COLUMBUS PARKFOR THE FRESHEST FRUITS, VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, BAKED

GOODS AND MORE! STRAIGHT FROM THE FARMAND RIGHT TO YOUR HOME.

KIWANIS PARK PERFORMING ARTS SERIES

Monday Evenings, July 5-26WEEKLY SERIES OF PERFORMING ARTS IN KIWANIS PARK

(ADJACENT TO THE PALACE THEATRE ON ATLANTIC STREET)INCLUDING EVENTS SUCH AS SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK,STAND UP COMEDY, SPOKEN WORD, SKETCH & IMPROV.

CHEF’S FESTIVAL - COLUMBUS PARK

Thursdays, July 15-August 5 12-2 pmTHE MOST POPULAR LUNCH HOUR IN STAMFORD

DOWNTOWN FEATURING TERRIFIC FOOD FROM LOCALRESTAURANTS PREPARED AND SERVED BY YOUR FAVORITE

CHEFS IN SHORTS.

RESTAURANT WEEKS

August 1-15RESTAURANT WEEKS AUGUST 1 THROUGH 15 IS A GREATWAY TO CELEBRATE THE SUMMER OF 2004 WITH SPECIALLY

PRICED MENUS.

STAMFORD WING DING

August 7 Latham ParkTHIS OUTDOOR COOKING COMPETITION WILL DETERMINE

WHICH OF OUR DOWNTOWN RESTAURANTS/BARS MAKES THEBEST CHICKEN WINGS.

A GRAND SUMMER NIGHT

PROGRESSIVE DINNER

Wednesday, August 11, 5:30 pm, Palace TheatreORGANIZED BY THE “FRIENDS OF STAMFORD DOWNTOWN”

THIS ANNUAL FUND-RAISER SALUTES FINE DINING INSTAMFORD DOWNTOWN.

There’s a lot of activity at Stamford Downtown’s Crown Theatres, where two

exciting new programs have been unveiled, "Movies for Moms" and the

"Children’s Film Festival".

The Goal of the new "Movies For Moms (SM)"

program is to help parents reclaim their social

life by going to movies while still spending

time with their family.

On October 29, 2003, Crown Theatres

unveiled its "Movies for Moms (SM)" program, opening its doors to parents

with babies 0-24 months old. "We want to best serve the needs of all our

patrons," said Daniel M. Crown, President & CEO. "This program offers

mothers and fathers an opportunity to now get out with their infants and see

a movie at a local Crown Theatre without the anxiety of disturbing other

patrons."

The "Movies for Moms" program is featured in Stamford at the Crown

Majestic on Summer Street every Wednesday. Babies of course are admitted

free – and the theatres will provide "at home" amenities such as baby

changing stations, stroller check-in areas, ambient sound levels and soft

auditorium lighting. New movies will be posted every week on the Crown

Theatres web site: www.crowntheatres.com.

The Crown Theatres Children’s Summer Film

Festival is an eight week program that begins in

mid-June. This festival provides a fun and safe

environment for children and their families during

the hot summer months. Each participating theatre will offer this festival

free to all children on a first come first serve basis. Each week a different film

is run one or two days during the mid-week at approximately 10:00AM.

Each location’s schedule may differ slightly due to volume and or theatre’s

capacity. The series will include films such as Loony Tunes, Daddy Day Care

and Agent Cody Banks. Please check the Crown Theatres website for

schedule information: www.crowntheatres.com.

OYSTER CAPPUCINO1 1/4 pints clam juice 1 quart oysters Makes 8 Servings1 1/4 pints chicken stock black pepper, to taste5 ounces button mushrooms 2 each lemon, juice only1/2 cup rice 2 cups heavy cream

Bring the clam juice and chicken stock to a boil and simmer rice until tender. Add the mushrooms andsimmer for about another ten minutes. Transfer to a blender and puree. Take two cups of this mixtureand puree with the oysters until smooth, strain and combine. Remove 1/2 cup of this mixture and reservefor later. Add 1.5 cups of cream to the soup base and heat to order. Take the remaining cream and whipit to stiff peaks and fold in the oyster puree, this creates the “foam.” Place a serving in a cappuccino cupand top with cream and fresh cracked pepper.

Per serving (excluding unknown items): 383.1 Calories; 25.4g Fat (58.6% calories from fat); 12.2gProtein; 28.1g Carbohydrate; 147 mg Cholesterol; 1259mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain (Starch); 1 LeanMeat; 4 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Recipe courtesy of Brian Spilecki of TidbiT.Please visit the newly renovated TidbiT at 65 Bank Street, Stamford, 203-325-2739