So much has happened in our city since we celebrated Stamford magazine’s 10th anniversary in our September/October 2019 issue. From a global pandemic to new city leadership, this last half-decade has been filled with changes that highlight our community spirit and vibrancy. Here’s a look at five of them.
May/June 2020 /// Cover Story
Stamford During the Pandemic
It’s safe to say that in the last five years there has been no event more significant to us all than the pandemic. We were proud to showcase our community’s resiliency and reliability throughout the challenges it brought in our May/June 2020 story “How We Did It”. We reported on Marcia Selden Catering who offered safe, contactless deliveries and partnered with Food for the Frontlines providing meals to local hospitals via donations from staffers and Stamfordites alike. Local biz Stamford Tent and Event Services also stepped up by providing tents meant for happier occasions to testing sites and food distribution centers. The initiative Stamford Together mobilized a city-wide volunteer network while Stamford Health launched a dedicated COVID-19 hotline. And on lighter notes, birthday trains paraded through neighborhood after neighborhood for kids whose party plans were suspended and the Avon offered free online screenings to favorite films. These stories (and more) celebrated our collective strength and generosity as well as our determination and compassion—traits that define our city.
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March/April 2020 /// Cover Story
The City’s New Construction Development
In our “2020 State of Real Estate: Moving On” March/April cover story, we explored how Stamford has become a magnet for new residents enticed by our amenity-rich developments, easy access to NYC and vibrant social scene. We featured three new constructions across town where sleek design, luxurious living spaces and bustling community life converge to make Stamford a top choice for young professionals and retired downsizers alike who seek a vibrant lifestyle just outside the Big Apple. Ainslie Square just off Strawberry Hill features low-maintenance three-and-four-bedroom single-family townhouses with a shared clubhouse, pool and playground. The Allure in Harbor Point boasts waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline and 435 apartments ranging from studios to four-bedrooms. And at the center of it all, Urby Square opened on a parcel of land at One Greyrock Place that sat undeveloped for 25 years (known locally as “the hole in the ground”) and was smartly designed to have everything from light to heat controlled through an app.
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March/April 2022 /// Cover Story
Caroline Simmons’ Transformative Leadership
Stamford’s first female mayor, Caroline Simmons, was the star of our March/April 2022 cover story. Since her interview, she has ushered in transformative changes for our city. In February the new 914-space parking garage at the train station officially opened to commuters. The mayor’s office is currently exploring mixed-use plans for the land where the old structure stood that will reshape the area around the transportation center. Simmons secured a whopping $17 million Reconnecting Communities Grant that will enhance connectivity, pedestrian safety and green space for residents through investments in sidewalks, traffic signals and a greenway buildout. She also championed the Stamford Parks Community Partnership, a vibrant nonprofit initiative that’s breathing new life into our parks. Public safety capital projects include budget allocations for improvements at our firehouses and the opening of a new regional police academy located at headquarters on Bedford Street. Additionally, Simmons’ office oversaw the opening of a new walk-in permitting center as well as developed plans for a revamped 911 call center and new affordable housing units.
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May/June 2022 /// Cover Story
The Continued Evolution of Mill River Park
In our May/June 2022 feature “Green Growth”, we celebrated major milestones for the Mill River Park Collaborative, including the appointment of CEO Nette Compton and the opening of the Whittingham Discovery Center. Since then, how many field trips, festivals and birthday parties has the park hosted? In the thousands, no doubt. The ever-popular greenspace continues to blossom into a vibrant urban oasis in the heart of downtown. Last year, Mayor Simmons along with other prominent community leaders and fifth-grade students from Hart Elementary gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Mill River Greenway North project. And in June the old playground was temporarily closed to make way for a renovated one set to open next spring. One thousand local school students weighed in on plans for the new design that will feature natural play areas, a more inclusive environment for children of all abilities, picnic spots and ample seating for caregivers. All of it ensures the park will remain a dynamic hub for generations to come.
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January/Feburay 2024
New York Comedy Club Stamford’s Debut
In our Jan/Feb 2024 issue, we cracked up over how the opening of the New York Comedy Club Stamford (one year prior) at the Town Center had turned our city into a comedy powerhouse. Since its debut, this full-time laugh hotspot has hosted marquees names like Pete Davidson as well as up-and-coming comics to test out new material in a laid-back atmosphere. It’s clear that more and more young professionals are trading NYC for Stamford’s robust new nightlife and entertainment options. Lines each night are as long as the punchlines are funny, a sign of the city’s rising cool factor. Next on our list of must-sees, the club will welcome Stamford’s own Mary Beth Barone on November 2 fresh off her first special “Thought Provoking” and we can’t wait.
Photographs: Magazine stills by Garvin Burke