Guilford Eyes Purchase Of 'Valuable' Property, Special Town Meeting Scheduled

GUILFORD, CT — Guilford is seeking to purchase a property it says would be a "valuable asset" to the town, as officials decide what to do with the aging police station.

The town is proposing to purchase a 1.1-acre property at 370 Church St., next to the police and fire stations, for $1.77 million. The property is privately owned and currently for sale, and other buyers are interested, the town noted.

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Guilford would pay for the parcel using the $10 million bond issue voters approved in 2022 to fund land acquisition.

Prospector Partners, an investment management firm, operated at the property, but announced several months ago it would be winding down its business.

"Buying [the property] would give the Town room and flexibility to address critical needs at the 30-year-old police station, whether through renovation or new construction," Guilford said in an announcement.

Any future construction would likely be funded by a future bond issue, which voters would need to approve.

A special town meeting has been scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Guilford High School, where residents will be tasked with voting only on whether to approve the purchase.

No project is currently being proposed, and any decision to renovate or build a new facility will come back in a separate referendum.

Residents will first have a chance to learn more about the purchase proposal and ask questions at an informational meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3, at GHS.

Guilford highlighted the property's location at the interchange of I-95 and Route 77, and the proximity to the Public Safety Complex.

Over the last three years, town and police officials have been working to find cost-effective ways to address issues at the current police station, such as inadequate facilities for the growing number of female officers, different safety and security risks, and roof and HVAC updates.

A building needs assessment completed by architectural firm Silver Petrucelli + Associates last year estimated there would be $19.9 million in renovation costs for a "temporary fix" of the building, according to the town.

A follow-up study completed in July estimated an "order of magnitude" budget of $35.6 million for a conceptual new building.

Guilford Police Chief Christopher Massey noted in an announcement from the town that the process is still in the early information-gathering stage, and he stressed that any potential renovation or new building would be brought to the public for a referendum vote with firmed-up cost estimates.

"We have a responsibility to provide our community with the high level of service expected and deserved, while also serving as stewards for your tax dollars," Massey said in an announcement. "If the Town were to purchase this property, it would allow us to keep as many options open as possible while we continue down a path toward identifying the most effective and fiscally responsible solution for our headquarters facility."

First Selectman Matt Hoey noted the prime location of the property makes the land a "strategic asset" to Guilford, whether or not voters decide to move forward with a new police station in the future.

"There are private buyers lined up to purchase this property if the Town doesn't. This is a rare opportunity to secure an asset that could be a linchpin in Guilford's future," Hoey said. "We all shared the same shock as many of you when we first saw the potential price tag of a new or renovated police station. We worry that failing to secure this property will back us into a corner with limited and possibly more expensive options down the line."

Representatives from the Board of Police Commissioners, Standing Building Committee, Land Acquisition Commission, and Silver Petrucelli + Associates will be in attendance at the Sept. 3 informational meeting, and residents are encouraged to attend.

Those who can't attend the informational meeting may submit questions in advance here.

Guilford has provided a list of FAQs on the property and process, which can be found here.