New Plans Released For Former Iconic Milford Restaurant Site

MILFORD, CT — Livio Faustini is seeking approval from the city's Planning and Zoning Board to construct a restaurant/banquet building at 72 Broadway, according to plans filed with the city.

The applicant proposes to raze the existing 12,204 square-feet building with an 11,259 square-foot footprint, and construct a two-story, 12,203 aquare-foot building with an 8,209 square-foot footprint. A 2,016 square-foot patio remains the same size, according to plans filed with the city.

"The newly proposed building will be constructed within the existing building’s footprint. 15 existing parking spaces along Ann Street, as well as the proposed landscaping area, are within the Public Right of Way and will require City of Milford approval," according to documents. "The parking along the sidewalk on Naugatuck Avenue should be separated from the sidewalk per Section 5.14.6.5 to prevent vehicle intrusion. Wheel stops should be added. If approved, it should be conditioned on the City of Milford approving the use of the Right of Way prior to issuing a zoning permit."

The application will be discussed 7 p.m. Monday, July 20 and here are details on how to participate.

The site is the former Costa Azzurra Restaurant, which closed its doors in August 2019 shortly after Sebastiano "Benny" Faustini, 54, died. The iconic restaurant and banquet hall at 72 Broadway on the West Shore of Milford was in business for 47 years.

Brianna Faustini wrote at the time of the closing, "As you know, I lost my father back in August (2019) unexpectedly. Another thing that won't be in the new year is our family business, Costa Azzurra Restaurant. This is one of the few places that I can feel my dad's energy. Where we shared laughs, where he cooked my friends and I amazing dinners, where I watched the waves crash, and where I also watched him make delicious meals and he made it look easy while doing it.

Costa Azzurra Restaurant had been known throughout New England for fresh Italian Seafood and featuring an extravagant venue for weddings and banquets on "our beautiful waterfront property overlooking Long Island Sound." Costa Azzurra represents three generations of Faustini Family owning and running the business.