Plans for the Future of 200 Tyler Street Continue to Advance

EAST HAVEN, CT - Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. announced that he has requested a favorable 8-24 referral for a general disposition plan for the old high school located at 200 Tyler Street and that the Planning and Zoning Commission intends to take up the referral request at a special meeting to be held Tuesday, March 22.

Maturo said in a statement that, "On February 19, 2016, I issued a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission outlining a proposal for the general disposition of the 200 Tyler Street property and requesting that the Commission approve and refer the plan to the Town Council so that the Town could begin working on putting the property back into use. I am pleased to announce that the Commission has scheduled a special meeting next Tuesday to take up the request and to review the materials that I submitted to them."

On February 11 the ad hoc "Blue Ribbon Commission" issued a detailed recommendation letter to Maturo highlighting the fiscal and quality of life considerations of three general proposals for the building. Ultimately, the "Blue Ribbon Commission" recommended a mixed-use plan for the building, which would incorporate both housing and community uses for the gymnasium and pool.

Maturo continued, "The 8-24 referral process is the first procedural step in the process of putting this building back into use. On Tuesday night, the Commission will simply review and issue an opinion on the proposed general disposition plan. If the Commission makes a 'favorable' referral, the Town will then begin to actively negotiate with developers about a substantive plan that incorporates as many of the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission as are feasible.

If and when the Town is able to identify a preferred developer and an appropriate plan for the property, a substantive proposal will be forwarded to the Town Council for public hearings. If no suitable plan can be negotiated, the Town will re-advertise for new proposals for the property."

During the public hearings held in January, members of the public emphasized their preference that the Town retain and rehabilitate the pool and gymnasium as part of any re-use plan. In his general proposal to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Maturo recommended either the complete rehabilitation of these facilities or construction of brand new facilities.

Maturo said in a statement, "Hundreds of families utilize the pool and gymnasium facilities presently located at 200 Tyler Street. I want to make it clear to all of our residents, and especially our Biddy Basketball families, that the Town will not move forward with any project that does not provide new or completely rehabilitated pool and gymnasium facilities for the benefit of our residents."

In addition to his recommendations regarding the pool and gymnasium facilities, Maturo also stressed the significant financial benefits of a mixed-use plan as opposed to governmental or educational uses that would require significant bonding and a hike in taxes in order to fund.

Maturo continued, "Rehabilitating the 200 Tyler Street property for education or government uses would require mill rate hikes of anywhere from 2.3% to 8.8%, or .75 mills to 2.79 mills. On the other hand, the savings and revenue generated from a mixed community and private use of the property is estimated to total $413,183.21 per year. The savings and revenue from a mixed community use plan, which could be used to reduce taxes, also equates to being able to hire nine new teachers."

Maturo concluded, "The rehabilitation of the 200 Tyler Street property has been a political football and is an issue that has spanned three mayors and four administrations. However, there is no debating that the time has come to put this property back into use. As we move ahead, I want to assure residents that we are committed to ensuring that the disposition process is both meaningful and transparent. I encourage any residents with an interest in the property to attend the Planning and Zoning meeting next week and any subsequent Town Council Meetings if and when the Town identifies a suitable development plan."