Darien Extends Due Diligence Period On Great Island Purchase

DARIEN, CT — When the Darien Representative Town Meeting approved the town's purchase of Great Island in June, First Selectman Monica McNally said she expected to close on the property by Sept. 5.

But since then, the town has uncovered "some important issues" that need to be addressed before Darien can take ownership.

As a result, McNally announced on Monday during the Board of Selectmen meeting that the town and the Steinkraus family, which owns Great Island, agreed to extend the due diligence period to March 6, 2023, with a closing date of April 20, 2023. The original due diligence end date was Aug. 6, 2022.

"Over the past few months the Town of Darien officials, staff and consultants have been hard at work completing diligence, reviewing documentation and land records and seeking to resolve any issues necessary to complete the acquisition of the Great Island property. Our due diligence investigations have uncovered some important issues that must be adequately addressed before the Town can take ownership," McNally told Patch following the meeting.

"The Town remains excited about the purchase of Great Island and looks to finalize its work and close the transaction as soon as possible."

McNally said she's confident in the town's ability to address and resolve the issues, which weren't immediately specified.

Great Island is considered one of the largest remaining undeveloped pieces of land in the area. Town officials have called the purchase a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and noted it fits in line with the town's Plan of Conservation and Development.

In early June, McNally outlined a very preliminary concept in which the island would be divided into four overlapping zones: commons, arts & culture, conservation and education and coastal shoreline.

Included could be pickleball courts, croquet and bocce courts, senior programs or a seasonal ice rink. An arts center, museum, sculpture trail/garden and amphitheater could be possibilities.