By Bob McGarry, Haddam First Selectman
(February 15, 2024) — Despite what you may have read regarding the Rossi Property from Facebook nay-sayers, we have a unique opportunity to improve Higganum Center at virtually no cost to the local taxpayer. The cost will be borne by a state grant and a private developer.
We conducted a public information session on January 25, 2024 and listened to more than 150 residents. We heard their genuine concerns with the proposed sale. We have worked with the developer, Higganum Village LLC, to revise its proposal. Among other changes, instead of selling all of the property to the developer, we will sell only half of it. Regardless, I have to stress that a “Yes” vote at the referendum does not approve the revised plan; it approves only the sale.
When we purchased the property, we envisioned splitting it into two parcels. At the time, we had a developer interested in purchasing the front parcel (along Saybrook Road) for a pharmacy and medical office building. We would retain the back parcel for the town garage and continue leasing to the existing tenant businesses. That developer withdrew from the potential purchase, but Higganum Village, LLC stepped in. We now have a draft sales agreement with them to sell the front parcel for $250,000 and Higganum Village LLC must invest at least $3 million in the property before taking ownership. (The initial proposal called for a $5 million investment, but that was for the entire property.)
The developer’s proposed use of the property would require public hearings and approval by the Haddam Planning and Zoning Commission. Again, a yes vote on the referendum only allows the developer to start the approval process for the development and allows the town to access the $1.5 million for environmental remediation.
There are many benefits to acting and moving forward with the sale:
We secure a $1.5 million cleanup grant from the state to remove or render safe environmental contamination on the property.
- We clean up the largest and most blighted property in the center.
- Environmental remediation makes the property safe for development. Any proposed development must be approved by our Planning and Zoning Commission.
- Any proposed new buildings must be reviewed by our Architectural Review Committee to confirm they meet our Higganum Village District architectural standards. These standards are intended to ensure buildings are attractive and fit in with a village look.
- The assessed value of the entire property when it was owned by the Rossi Lumber Company was $645,000. The front parcel will be worth far more than that after Higganum Village LLC invests $3 million developing it. The increased value will produce a significant tax payment.
- The town retains ownership of the back of the property to continue leasing space to the existing tenants and to have a place for our town garage. If a better location is found for the town garage, we’ll own an environmentally remediated property in Higganum Center for future development.
Winston Churchill once said, “Perfection is the enemy of progress.” If we wait for the “perfect” development, we’ll never make progress revitalizing Higganum Center. No development will ever be perfect. The proposed development includes apartments, retail space, self-storage units and a restaurant. It will draw more people to the center to work, shop, dine and live. Bringing people to the center is critical to revitalizing it.
Please come to the information session at Haddam-Killingworth High School on Saturday, February 24, 2024, and vote in the referendum on March 5, 2024. We have a very real opportunity to see millions of dollars invested in Higganum Center. Let’s not let this pass through our fingers.
