In East Haddam – CT DEEP schedules site visit for prospective developers of Sunrise State Park
Information on the DEEP web site also notes that, "The selected developer will bear all responsibility for financing, permitting, design, demolition, construction, reconstruction, management and operation of the Sunrise Resort property in return for a long term ground lease with the DEEP, who will maintain ownership over the property."
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced it will host a site visit at Sunrise State Park in East Haddam on Friday, Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon for perspective bidders interested in redeveloping, managing and operating Sunrise State Park (formerly the Sunrise Resort).
The snow date is Monday Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Prospective bidders who plan to attend the site visit should RSVP to DEEP at the following e-mail address: deep.sunrisestatepark@ct.gov
The DEEP states that the primary objective of redeveloping Sunrise is to make it a destination location for residents and visitors and to restore the park’s role as a vital and integral part of East Haddam and the surrounding communities.
Although the DEEP has no fixed plan for the park’s redevelopment, there are elements that will be strongly preferred by DEEP.
The prospective developer’s plans should include the following:
- Preserve the natural, cultural and historic resources of the property
- Ensure public access to the park
- Demonstrate an economic benefit to the state and to the region
- Demonstrate sensitivity to development that is appropriate to the site
- Use sustainable, energy-efficient building practices
DEEP also requires that proposed commercial uses for the property will be compatible with public use and the historic character of the park.
The DEEP will also consider proposals for development and new construction such as:
- Recreation facilities
- Education facilities
- Short- or extended-stay accommodations including camping, RVs and cabins
- Hospitality uses, including hotel and banquet/conference facilities
- Food service and small-scale retail facilities
DEEP will not permit the following on park property:
- Permanent, long-term residential uses
- Industrial or manufacturing uses
- Telecommunication towers
- Adult entertainment enterprises
More detailed information on this project, including the complete Request for Proposal document is available on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/DEEP/Sunrise
Proposals should be submitted to the following address no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2012:
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
State Parks & Public Outreach Division
79 Elm Street – 6th Floor
Hartford, CT 06106
Attn: Thomas J. Tyler, Director of State Parks and Public Outreach
About Sunrise Resort/Sunrise State Park
The resort began in 1916 as Elm Camp when Henry Engle completed the Main Bungalow by installing electric lights, telephone and a water system.
In 1986, the Robert Johnson family took ownership and managed it until 2008. DEEP purchased the 143-acre property in Jan. 2009 for $3.2 million.
Posted Jan. 30, 2012
Related link: “State trying once again to find a developer for former East Haddam resort,” http://easthaddam.htnp.com/2011/12/23/state-trying-once-again-to-find-a-developer-for-former-east-haddam-resort/
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