TRUMBULL -- A few buildings in Trumbull Center were demolished as the first step to build a five-story, mixed-use development.
As part of the construction, two of the center's current buildings -- one that housed a former Starbucks location and a professional building -- were scheduled to be demolished.
Economic and Community Development Director Rina Bakalar said the demolition at 900 White Plains Road began last week by "readying structures for demolition." She said the demolition crew began taking down the former Starbucks building Monday morning.
"Right now, the owner is full steam ahead wanting to get the buildings down and to make the center, as it exists, more marketable," said attorney Raymond Rizio, representing owner Peter Dinardo Enterprises.
Rizio said a building permit process will soon begin for the site work, which includes fixing the sewer pipe on the property, a requirement from the town's Water Pollution Control Authority.
Rizio said the plan is for the demolition to "open up" Trumbull Center and make it more attractive, along with making the former Porricelli's Food Mart space more visible.
He said he expects construction to begin in spring 2025.
"With the holidays, you have to be careful because you don't want to start construction while the ground is frozen," Rizio said. "We're doing the clean-up immediately, and hopefully, start the new project in the spring, weather permitting."
First Selectman Vicki Tesoro said in an emailed statement that the project is an integral step in the redevelopment of the Trumbull Center area.
"The community has been eager for years to see transformation in Trumbull Center," Tesoro said. "The demolition of these vacant and obsolete buildings marks the beginning of the transformation."
The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the development on April 21. It includes both residential and retail uses.
Rizio said the top four floors will consist of 50 one and two bedroom apartments, while the extra two units will be converted into amenity spaces and 10 percent of the apartments will be affordable housing.
The bottom floor of the building will be for retail and could hold up to seven separate retail units, along with several amenities to be used by residents such as a meeting room, gym and lobby.
Porricelli's Food Mart left Trumbull Center in 2012 after a decade, leaving a void that still has yet to be filled.
Bakalar said she worked on finding a grocer to use the space, but it was difficult because the location doesn't have all the necessary requirements to attract developers.
Town officials recently were presented with a proposed development at 1 Trefoil Drive, which would bring not only a new grocer, but also an urgent care facility and two new restaurants to Trumbull.