At Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, held on Zoom, Greenwich Communities director Tony Johnson proposed to name the roadway through Armstrong Court after board chair Sam Romeo in acknowledgement of his role in renovations at that housing authority property.
Existing signage at the entrance to Armstrong Court. May 15, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
The proposal is subject to the Board of Selectmen’s naming rights policy, which went into effect in 2022.
That policy followed approval of a $5 Million gift from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation with an agreement that building be renamed the “Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center.”
In 2021, the RTM approved the $5 Million gift despite calls to postpone for time to craft a Town policy on naming rights first.
Recently, First Selectman Fred Camillo said, subject to the naming rights policy, the gymnasium at the new civic center would be called the ‘Frantz Gymnasium,’ to reflect a donation from Scott and Icy Frantz.
At this week’s Selectmen meeting, Mr. Johnson praised Mr. Romeo’s leadership of the board of Greenwich Communities (formerly known as the Greenwich housing authority) to secure financing for construction and persevering despite many “roadblocks” along the way.
Improvements have included new construction at the front of the property, along Hamilton Avenue, and extensive renovations of the 1950’s era buildings with their flat roofs and catwalks.
The multi-layered financing process has involved both the State and federal government. Greenwich Communities worked with the Dept of Housing and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, “CHFA.” Section 8 vouchers from US Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) supplement rents.
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Along the way there have been ceremonies to mark the milestones in the four-phase, 144-unit Armstrong Court redevelopment project.
Phase I of the project began in May 2019 and was completed in June 2020, with 18 new townhouses constructed with funding from the state. Existing residents were moved into the new town houses so existing residents would not be relocated outside of the property.
In July 2022 there was a ribbon cutting at Armstrong Court to celebrate the completion of renovations of building 1.
In July 2022, there was a ribbon cutting at Armstrong Court to celebrate the completion of renovations of building 1.
Armstrong Court. May 15, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Armstrong Court. May 15, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Armstrong Court. May 15, 2025 Photo: Leslie Yager
Details were missing from the Selectmen’s agenda because there was hope for an element of surprise for Mr. Romeo, but the town’s naming policy requires the person’s informed consent.
The naming rights policy applies to all town-owned property and buildings, excluding the Library and the Board of Education. The Board of Education has its own policy on Naming Facilities, 7551. It was adopted in 2019,
Town attorney Barbara Schellenberg said the proposal for naming rights was required to be referred to an appropriate RTM committee for “advisory comments,” followed by a second read by the Selectmen.
Selectwoman Lauren Rabin praised Mr. Romeo, saying he was approachable and offered good advice.
First Selectman Fred Camillo emphasized that while the proposal would go to the appropriate RTM committee, that committee’s input was only “advisory.”
“At the end of the day, the Board of Selectmen will be the board that votes on this, up or down,” Camillo said.
“I’d encourage all three of you to take a look at the written policy to see what the criteria are for the decision,” Schellenberg said. “I’m sure Sam would be happy with this, but we have to get his informed consent as well,”
“We will reach out to the RTM and see you back in a couple weeks,” Mr. Camillo said.
