New townhomes planned for Utopia Park in Fairfield

FAIRFIELD — Maharishi International University is planning to replace the trailers in Utopia Park, a trailer park on the north side of Fairfield that was constructed in 1983.

Martin Brett of Vastu Partners appeared before the Fairfield City Council Monday to ask for the council’s blessing on his application for a state housing tax credit to help pay for townhomes that will replace some of the trailers in Utopia Park. The plan calls for the construction of 16 units in Utopia Park, which will be divided into two five-plexes and two three-plexes.

The new townhomes will be located near the east side of Utopia Park and will replace 13 trailers. Tom Brooks, vice president of operations at Maharishi International University, said he hopes construction on the townhomes can begin this fall. The plan is to start with the two three-plexes this year, and then build the two five-plexes next year. Brooks said this first phase of construction will occur on the east side of the trailer park because that area is flat and thus easy to build on.

Brooks said that about 200 trailers were built in 1983 in about four to six weeks, with crews working around the clock to complete the trailers, the building that is now the MIU Recreation Center and several other renovations. The university was hosting a conference for 7,000 people called “A Taste of Utopia,” and needed all these trailers to house them. Brooks said the trailers have held up pretty well over the years, and many of their features have been replaced since then such as new flooring, appliances, doors and more. At the same time, the trailers were never intended to last this long, and it’s time to replace them, Brooks said.

“1983 was a long time ago,” Brooks said. “We’re looking forward to more efficient, more dignified buildings with less maintenance.”

Brooks said the trailers have served as “starter homes” for many people who have moved to Fairfield through the years to study at the university or practice Transcendental Meditation in its domes.

Brooks said the rules that apply to Utopia Park now will continue to apply to the new townhomes, which means they will be reserved for people who are studying at or working for the university, or participating in one of its Transcendental Meditation programs in the domes.