Stamford Mayor City Update: FREE Tax Prep, Fire on Bedford, Soofa Signs, & More

MAYOR’S UPDATES

• Recent Fire on Bedford Street: I commend the Stamford Fire Department for their swift response in containing the recent four-alarm fire on Bedford Street. While I am heartbroken for the impacted businesses, I am grateful that no lives were lost. The City of Stamford will work closely with Stamford Downtown and the Stamford Chamber of Commerce to support business owners through this challenging time.
• FY2025-26 Budget: Last week, I presented my FY2025-2026 Budget. This budget upholds my administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and ensuring high-quality and reliable city services for Stamford residents. By managing costs and prioritizing investments in public safety, education, and infrastructure, we are strengthening our city’s foundation for long-term growth while addressing current needs that enhance quality of life. I look forward to working with the Boards throughout this budget season to ensure we have a responsible budget that supports and invests in all Stamford residents.
• Soofa Signs in Stamford: I was excited to join Stamford Downtown to unveil five new solar-powered Soofa wayfinding kiosks across Downtown Stamford. These innovative kiosks will keep residents and visitors informed with local events, transit updates, and community announcements, enhancing connectivity and engagement throughout our city. The soofa signs can be found at the following locations:
• Bedford Street (next to The Ferguson Library)
• Kiwanis Park (69 Atlantic Street)
• Heritage Park (behind Old Town Hall)
• One Greyrock Place
• 677 Washington Boulevard

CITY NEWS

• Small Business Survey: My administration recently launched a quick survey to help us better understand small business challenges in our community and explore ways to support your success. Click here to participate.
• Board of Assessment Appeals Meetings: The next Board of Assessment Appeals meetings will be held in April 2025. The application deadline is March 20, 2025. Please click here for more information.
• Learning in Retirement: Learning in Retirement is beginning a new semester! Classes in art, music, current events, and history are offered to senior citizens and other retirees. For information and to register, visit www.lirstamford.org.
• March Arts & Culture Guide: The City of Stamford and the Stamford Arts and Culture Commission are excited to announce, “Stamford Spotlight: A Celebration of Arts and Culture.” This guide highlights upcoming arts and cultural events in Stamford. Be sure to stop by and support our local organizations! Click here to view the March Guide.
• Stamford 2035 Update: We were thrilled to see over 250 Stamford residents at our recent Stamford 2035 open house! If you missed the event or have additional insights, please take a few minutes to complete the My City Stamford survey to help us prioritize goals and shape the city's future. Stay involved by visiting our website for updates and more information about the Stamford 2035 Comprehensive Plan, or by sharing your thoughts and ideas through our surveys and community events.
• Upcoming Event: My City Stamford Day - On April 9, 2025, we will host My City Stamford Day, where over 16,000 Stamford Public Schools students and their families will engage in hands-on urban planning activities. This event promises to be an exciting opportunity for Stamford’s students to come together and envision the future of Stamford.
• Lathon Wider Community Center: On the morning of Thursday, January 2, the City Facilities Department was notified of a flooding incident in the basement of the Lathon Wider Community Center (137 Henry Street) caused by a failure in a piece of mechanical equipment. The target date for reopening the building is July 1, 2025. For any questions or urgent needs regarding the Health Department’s walk-in health services, please call (203)-977-5652.
• Stamford 2035 Visions of the City Survey: In case you missed Stamford 2035's first open house, please take five minutes to share your thoughts on the Visions of the City here! Your insights will help the planning team formulate visions, goals, strategies, and actions for the future of Stamford.
• Stamford Transportation Center Master Plan: Our administration has been meeting with the Connecticut Department of Transportation and city transportation officials to continue to make progress on the Stamford Train Station Master Plan.
• Paving Update: Click here for the priority list for paving operations established in response to a city-wide road assessment in 2022.

City Events

• Tax Prep Service: From February 1 through April 15, Tax-Aide volunteers certified by the IRS, and under the sponsorship of the AARP Foundation will once again be providing free tax return preparation for the greater Stamford community. See the flyer below for more information.