Details Announced For Grass Island Shack Relocation Plan

GUILFORD, CT — The town of Guilford on Tuesday issued an update on the Grass Island Red Shack relocation and salvage efforts.

"Work to salvage the Grass Island Red Shack will begin later this week with two contractors who stepped forward to help by assessing the current condition of the shack with town staff and who offered to move the shack to higher ground donating their time, equipment, and expertise," the town said in a Facebook post.

The shack was damaged in a storm on April 11 and fell of its supports.

According to the update, Construction Services Unlimited LLC and East Guilford Construction Inc., will dismantle the porch roof and deck of the shack, and move the remaining structure to higher ground later this week, weather permitting.

Geotechcnical testing will take place later this week as well, and remaining work will include building a new foundation, moving the shack onto the new foundation, and then building a new porch with a deck and roof, the town said.

MHAI of Branford will undertake the structural design for the new foundation.

Due to the location of Grass Island, the town will utilize Fisher Excavating, which is based in Branford, to transport equipment and materials to the site by barge.

Guilford had already come up with plans to move the shack back 60 feet to a new foundation before the April 11 storm changed the course of action.

First Selectman Matt Hoey said the engineering firm Guilford hired for the project was supposed to be at the site last week for boring tests for new pilings. There was $15,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds previously approved for the testing.

On Tuesday, the town said the Guilford Preservation Alliance is raising money for the relocation and renovation of the structure.

Guilford Funeral Home last week donated $2,500 to the effort.

Click here for more information on the Guilford Preservation Alliance.