Guilford Preservation Alliance Endorses Purchase Of Restaurant Site

GUILFORD, CT — The town's purchase of The Mooring restaurant property has been approved by the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and Planning & Zoning Commission, and now the Guilford Preservation Alliance (GPA) is weighing in with an endorsement of their own.

According to a letter addressed to the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Directors for the GPA unanimously voted to support the efforts from the town to buy the property at 505 Whitfield St.

"We believe that redevelopment of the property for commercial or residential use is not in the public interest. It would exacerbate conditions that led to the closing of both the Moorings -- accelerate erosion and flooding in surrounding areas, add to the pollution of Long Island Sound, and, in the long run, increase the cost of Town services," the letter said.

"It is essential that the Town designate the property for appropriate public uses consistent with its location and climate change impacts," the letter continued.

The GPA said such uses could include "passive open space, low-impact recreational activities, climate educational signage or art relating to the property's history (uses, flooding), the changing shoreline, climate change, and sustainability. Properly designed, such uses could improve public safety, slow climate impacts such as erosion and flooding, and address the nee for more public access to the shoreline."

The Alliance also said it feels "strongly" that advanced sustainable design principles should be used to repurpose the site.

Earlier this month, the town announced its intention to purchase the former home of the restaurant and related buildings for $3 million.

First Selectman Matt Hoey called the purchase "a generational opportunity" for the town to preserve the shoreline and give the community more ways to access coastal resources.

The Letter of Intent for the purchase outlines three closing dates.

The earliest date is April 15 for $3 million, the second is Sept. 1 for $3.1 million, and after that, if no deal is finalized, Guilford would provide a nonrefundable deposit of $150,000, in escrow, which would be credited against the $3.1 million purchase price if closed on or before Nov. 15, according to an FAQ document from the town

Guilford says the reason for the multiple close dates is to allow time for the town to explore funding, which could come from municipal bonds and potentially FEMA, DEEP grants, and state bonding.

What the site eventually turns into will be subject to FEMA, local zoning and state regulations, the town said.

"The Town's intent is to now have the ability for a variety of options to create a place of access and attraction. There are many examples of waterfront enhancement and entertainment. One can look at Mystic, Newport and Boston waterfronts for some ideas and possible attractions to our waterfront," the town said in an FAQ document.

Guilford will hold a Town Meeting at the Community Center on Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss and vote on the acquisition. All residents are invited to attend.

For more information on the purchase of the property at 505 Whitfield St., click here.