It’s official: The sale of the Old Morgan School to Greylock Property Group is complete. Town Manager Karl Kilduff announced the news in a press release on Oct. 5.

The property will be tuned into Indian River Landing, a mixed-use development consisting of retail, restaurants, open space, a Big Y, a Starbucks and a hotel. Phase one of the project, which will include the demolition of the school and the construction of the Big Y and Starbucks is expected to be completed in fall 2022.

Five years ago, there was hope that the old Morgan School would have already been developed by now. In 2015, Clinton residents originally approved the conditional sale of the old high school to Mill Pond, LLC, for $2.8 million. Mill Pond, LLC, had planned to turn the property into a mixed-use development similar to the current proposal. The project was supposed to break ground in late 2016; instead developer Henry Resnikoff terminated the agreement with the town in August 2017 citing issues with financing and a permit application from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection.

In 2018, the Board of Selectmen announced the sale of the property to Greylock.

This story will be updated with more details. The Oct. 5 press release is below:

Town and Greylock Property Group Close on Sale of Old Morgan School

The Town of Clinton and the Greylock Property Group signed the necessary documents today to complete the sale of the former Morgan School and set the property on a path for redevelopment. Closing on the sale of the property ends a seven-year long process to convey publicly-owned land to a private developer and initiate a significant private investment in Clinton to redevelop the property. The site will become home to the Indian River Shops at Clinton.

“While we have a long way to go, we would like to compliment town leadership, staff, and neighbors. Everyone has worked together as a team to create a terrific project. We could not have gotten this far without the support and professionalism of all. We look forward to the future!” said Ken Navarro, Greylock’s managing partner.

Town Council Chair Christopher Aniskovich noted, “This project will bring new life to an area that was so central to the lives of many from this community and reinforces Clinton as a destination for businesses.”

“Projects like this don’t happen overnight and take a long-term commitment to foster development which improves the community,” said Town Manager Karl Kilduff. “The Town of Clinton is proud to be a partner in progress with the Greylock Group to make this project finally happen.”

Aniskovich added, “we are all looking forward to the start of construction on this important project.”

The new Indian River Shops at Clinton was designed with a classic coastal Connecticut look and feel meant to enhance the character of the community. Construction of the first phase of the project is anticipated to be completed in fall 2022. Phase I includes demolition of the old Morgan School, construction of infrastructure and a new approximately 73,000 square foot retail center inclusive of a Big Y grocery store, Starbucks coffee shop, and one retail building on a 38+/- acre parcel. The property is located on Route 81 with immediate access from I-95, Exit 63, immediately across from the Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets.

In response to the pandemic, the closing was conducted by mail rather than in person.