Real Estate

Vision for Vacancies: Bennigan's (Formerly Rattlesnake Grill, Rumba's, Spencer's Steak House, Tonelli's II, Howard Johnson's)

Bennigan's in Danbury - 106 Federal Road, has been vacant since 2007, and it went into bankruptcy in 2009. Litigation, decay, water damage, neglect. This 7,000 square-foot former restaurant needs a jump start.

Let's call this a social media twist on urban planning — Patch's version of a charette, a digital drawing board where all ideas are on the table.

In this series we've presented a vacant building or space and asked you to tell us its best use. Forget what zone it's in, ignore setback regulations, dump lot coverage rules and all the other zoning jargon that puts most people to sleep. If you had your way, what would you like to see there? What would be the best use for the community?

What would you like to see at Bennigan's, the vacant former restaurant at 106 Federal Road, across from both Applebee's and Harley Davidson's.

Find out what's happening in Danburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"It isn't a hard-luck location. It was making good money. What happened is the previous owners failed to pay taxes," said Stephen Bull, president of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce. At one point Danbury cut off the restaurant's water.

Bull said the location fell into litigation, bankruptcy, and it suffered damage from neglect.

Find out what's happening in Danburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Before it was Bennigan's, the same location was a number of restaurants, including Alligator Alley and Rumba's, a restaurant that moved to Danbury from New Fairfield.

What do you think Bennigan's should become?

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