Sunrise Resort: Unless a Developer is Chosen, DEEP Should Walk Away From Its Losing Investment

Miracles can happen but should Connecticut bank on it? The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is trying to find a partner to revitalize the former 146-acre Sunrise Resort property in East Haddam. The resort once attracted 45 camps with up to 13,500 people in the summer months.

The department, formerly known as the DEP, bought the property in January 2009 for $3.2 million. Then-Governor Jodi Rell wanted to continue to offer recreational opportunities such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and camping. The DEP anticipated “operating some of the resort’s amenities in the summer of 2009, including the large swimming pool. A full opening of the resort will require a private partner and capital investment in the infrastructure.” None of those goals have been achieved.

During the first request for proposals (RFP) in July 2010, Winthrop S. Knox, then vice president of International Aquatic Design, Inc, proposed a water park while Chester architect William Cowan envisioned a sustainable village. Cowan’s village would have included restaurants, shops, a farm with organic fruits and vegetables, and dormitories. Neither plan was seen as viable by DEP.

In the second RFP, being accepted until March 16, 2012, “the selected developer will bear all responsibility for financing, permitting, design, demolition, construction, reconstruction, management and operation of the in return for a long term ground lease with the DEEP, who will maintain ownership over the property.” 

The property has 63 aging buildings that are recommended for demolition; mostly consisting of storage areas along with guest and staff cabins and rooms. 

Eighteen structures are recommended for reuse which include covered picnic shelters, pools and pool storage buildings, the main office, a commercial kitchen, a mini-golf hut, restrooms and a winterized apartment complex. Historical buildings recommended for renovations include the Main Dining Hall, Echo Center, and Toll House.

Acceptable uses, the DEEP claims, include recreation, education, cultural arts, camping, hotels, convention centers, food service, and small-scale retail. Unacceptable uses include permanent residential use, industrial use, manufacturing use, electric power generation (except one powering the park), telecommunication towers, parking (except for park users) and adult entertainment enterprises.

In the meantime, the property has overgrown vegetation and trash. It appears the building’s previous owners left suddenly as tables and chairs remain in dining halls while beds and bureaus are still in cabins. 

If the DEEP is unable to properly maintain, secure, and beautify the site, it will become increasingly less attractive for developers who would rent the property.

If a developer is not selected in this second RFP attempt, the state should auction the land to the highest bidder. This would allow the resort to go back to the East Haddam tax rolls. Its previous owners paid $100,000 in annual taxes.

East Haddam is already home to several other beautiful state parks such as Gillette Castle, Devil’s Hopyard, Brainard Homestead, and the adjacent Machimoodus Park. 

By unloading Sunrise, DEEP can use the sale money to put more focus on its other parks.