PRESTON TOWN'S AGREEMENT FOR THE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL PROPERTY EXPIRES WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT ON JANUARY 5, 2008. THE TOWN HAD THREE (3) YEARS TO FIND A SUITABLE DEVELOPER (BUYER) OF THE PROPERTY AND SUBMIT THE PLAN TO THE STATE BY JANUARY 5, 2008.
FIRST THERE WAS THE GRANDIOSE PLAN BY UTOPIA STUDIOS TO BUILD HOTELS, A GOLF COURSE, A MARINA, THEME PARK, MOVIE STUDIOS, AND OTHER THINGS ON THE PROPERTY AT AN ESTIMATED PRICE OF WELL OVER ONE BILLION DOLLARS. THE DEAL FELL THROUGH.
RECENTLY, THE LATEST PROPOSAL BY NORTHLAND, ALSO FELL THROUGH. WHAT THEY HAD ORIGINALLY PROPOSED HAD CHANGED DRASTICALLY BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMY.
ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2009, PRESTON TOWN HOSPITAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE VOTED TO RECOMMEND THAT PRESTON ASK THE STATE FOR MORE TIME. THE RECOMMENDATION IS BEING HEARD TONIGHT, BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, AT 6:30 P.M. ALSO RECOMMENDED, BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS A TOWN MEETING ON DECEMBER 18, 2008.
ROBERT COGDON SAID, "WE'VE WORKED VERY HARD. WE HAD VIABLE DEVELOPERS LINED UP TO DEVELOP THIS PROPERTY WHEN THE ECONOMY COLLAPSED, WHICH WE HAD NO CONTROL OVER." HE NOTED THAT DEVELOPERS CAN NOT REALISTICALLY GET FINANCING RIGHT NOW.
IF PRESTON, COULD GET AN EXTENSION, ( WHICH IN MY OPINION, IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY,) THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE TO RE-START THE ENTIRE PROCESS WITH THE STATE OVER. PRESTON WOULD HAVE TO AGAIN DEAL WITH THE FOLLOWING CONNECTICUT STATE OFFICIALS: GOVERNOR M. JODI REEL, THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT,THE COMMISSIONER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE LEGISLATURE, AND OTHERS.
TOM REYNOLDS, STATE REPRESENTATIVE OF LEDYARD, ALLUDED TO THE FACT THAT WATERFORD HAD LINED UP A DEVELOPER, FOR THE STATE LAND IN WATERFORD AND THAT THE STATE HAD DECIDED TO RETAIN CONTROL.
IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT IS NOT INCLINED TO GIVE AN EXTENSION. IT LOOKS LIKE THE NORWICH STATE HOSPITAL WILL REVERT BACK TO THE STATE. MAYBE THE DECENDENTS OF CHURCH LANE, UNCASVILLE SHOULD TRY AND PURCHASE THE PROPERTY. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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