The Norwalk Land Trust (NLT) announced an agreement Thursday to purchase the 15.4-acre White Barn Theatre property this spring for $5 million. 
Lucille Lortel: Her theater was on site. File photo
The property on the Westport border was the site of the theater that operated there from 1947 to 2002 and was founded by Westporter Lucille Lortel.
Fundraising for the purchase has been launched by a $1 million donation from by James and Demoraj Fieber and William Fieber, the announcement said. It added that the NLT must raise an additional $1 million toward the $5 million purchase price by April 1.
The land is owned by 78 Cranbury II LLC, a developer with permits to build 15 luxury homes on the property, but now wants to work with the land trust on an arrangement to preserve the property as open space in perpetuity.
The NLT currently stewards 90 acres of Norwalk open space, including an existing easement on 5.5 acres of the White Barn property.
“Given its unique biodiversity and benefit to the community it is critical for the community to help NLT save this this property,” said Seeley Hubbard of the NLT.
The wooded property located along Newtown Avenue and the intersection of Cranbury Road includes a 1-acre pond fed by Stony Brook, a Class A stream that is part of the larger, multi-town Saugatuck River watershed drainage basin, eventually feeding into Long Island Sound, according to the NLT.
“Our family has a long history of preservation and responsible development,” said James Fieber.
“Conserving this 15.4-acre tract of woodlands, watercourses and pond, preserving open space, protecting wildlife and opening up trails for educational purposes and the public to enjoy, continues our commitment to a sustainable environment and social responsibility.”
