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07/15/2024 12:20 PMAs part of a town meeting on July 23 Old Saybrook residents can approve an appropriation of $366,640 for a state grant that will pay for the construction of sidewalks in Saybrook Point. The meeting is at 6 p.m. in Town Hall.
At a meeting on July 9, the Old Saybrook Board of Selectmen called for a town meeting on Tuesday, July 23, for residents to approve three separate items. One of the items relates to a long-term goal of redeveloping Saybrook Point.
The Board of Finance approved an appropriation request for $366,640 at a meeting last month. The funds will allow for sidewalks to be built in the area, and the amount will be reimbursed upon the completion of the project.
First Selectmen Carl Fortuna explained at the time, “The grant will pay for a sidewalk from mini golf all the way to the tip of Gardiners Park and curving around back towards Monument Park. There will also be improvements to Gardiners Park aesthetics.”
Last month, Fortuna said the goal is to have the sidewalks connect the area, including the former Dock and Dine property, to Fenwick so that visitors can take in one of the best views in Connecticut.
“The vision is obviously to improve this area, including future development of the Dock and Dine property by the current owner or a new owner and have a sidewalk and walking access that runs along the river all the way to Fenwick. This area is one of the most beautiful opportunities in Connecticut for public access to the waterfront, and we need to show it off,” Fortuna said last month.
If approved, Fortuna said the work would start either later this year or next year.
Redeveloping the Saybrook Point area property has been a goal for close to 15 years. The site once hosted the popular Dock and Dine Restaurant, however following Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012 the restaurant has been inoperable. The property has remained vacant despite on-and-off interest in redeveloping the area over the last decade.
The town initially applied for a grant in 2023 to fix up the area but was denied. However, the town was still determined to find ways to improve the area. The town reapplied this year with a new application and was awarded the money for the sidewalks.
Besides the grant application, residents can weigh in on two other agenda items at the town meeting.
One is an appropriation in the amount of $15,896 to purchase a Big Belly Smart Trash Hopper, and the other is an appropriation in the amount of $14,500 to install a chain link fence between town property and the boundary of the St. John School.