Somers Seeks Ideas For Mill Pond Building

SOMERS, CT — A town-owned building in the heart of Somersville could soon get a new life, as Somers officials prepare to seek proposals for the property at 55 School St.

The Somers Economic Development Commission said the town is getting ready to issue a request for proposals for the building, which sits near Mill Pond and was most recently used by the Village Players.

Town officials discussed the property during the Board of Selectmen’s Feb. 19 meeting. Public Works Director Todd Rolland said the town is looking for creative, sustainable and community-focused ideas that could benefit Somers while helping strengthen the Mill Pond area.

According to the commission, the town is open to a range of possible uses, including civic, nonprofit and commercial proposals. Officials said they want ideas that are financially feasible, provide value to the town and fit into broader revitalization efforts in historic Somersville.

Some of the ideas already mentioned include a coffee shop, kayak rentals, outdoor recreation uses and community meeting space.

Officials are expected to host a formal walkthrough of the building and open the bid process soon. The town said residents and interested parties should watch the Town of Somers website for the official RFP release and submission deadlines.

The building also carries local history. According to a historic and architectural resource survey cited by the commission, the property is locally known as Legion Hall and was used for several public purposes over the years.

Between 1928 and 1933, the building served as an extension of Somersville Elementary School after being loaned to the town by the Somersville Manufacturing Company. It was later moved to its current location on School Street when the new brick school was constructed.

The survey says the Somersville Manufacturing Company owned Legion Hall until 1970, when it transferred the building to the Town of Somers for recreational use. That transfer included rights to use the mill pond for boating and fishing, though swimming was explicitly prohibited.

Town officials say they hope the next chapter for 55 School St. will help bring renewed activity to a key part of Somersville.