Torrington council fast-tracks 5 Points Center for Visual Arts purchase option, authorizes mayor to conclude conveyance negotiations

The Torrington City Council on Oct. 20 approved an amendment to the lease with the 5 Points Center for Visual Arts to accelerate the organization’s option to buy the city-owned parcel on University Drive. The council also authorized the mayor to negotiate and execute the documents necessary to complete the conveyance, including negotiating payoff of the remaining $25,000 tied to the property’s original acquisition from the University of Connecticut.

Background and why the council acted

The land use agreement being amended was originally executed as part of a long-term arrangement tied to a University of Connecticut campus closing and land transfer. Under the lease that was provided to council members, the option to purchase the property for $1 was structured around benchmarks at 5-, 10-, 15- and 20-year marks; the option became exercisable only if 5 Points met the sustainability benchmarks embedded in the lease. 5 Points presented a five‑year benchmark report at the meeting showing accelerated progress on programming, fundraising and site improvements. Board members and staff asked the council to consider moving the option earlier than the lease’s scheduled long-term timeline so the nonprofit could pursue additional financing and development opportunities.

Council debate and protections

Council members asked detailed questions about the lease language and the city’s protections if the nonprofit later ceased operations. Council members and corporation counsel reminded the chamber that the lease contains reversionary provisions requiring continuous operation — language that would return title to the city if the buyer failed to meet conditions written into the deed or the purchase documents. Council members who expressed concern about changing the agreement immediately noted there would be a new mayor and many new council members after the upcoming election; some said that decision-making authority on a land conveyance of this magnitude should rest with the next administration. Other council members and both mayoral candidates on the record supported completing the transaction now.

The council ultimately amended the motion to include explicit authority for the mayor to negotiate payoff of the remaining balance on the land-acquisition arrangement with the University of Connecticut (council staff said $75,000 of the original $100,000 had already been paid from cell-tower revenue and that $25,000 remained). The amended motion instructed the mayor to negotiate and execute any documents necessary to complete the transaction, including arrangements to satisfy the remaining balance owed to the university. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Statements from 5 Points and city staff

Judy McElhone and Eric Forsman, who presented on behalf of 5 Points, described the center’s programs and plans for an art park, sculptures and expanded youth programming. They said summer programs have been possible through external grant funding but that transportation remains an impediment to steady participation during the school year. Forsman and McElhone asked the council for the accelerated purchase option to provide greater stability for future fundraising and capital projects.

Corporation counsel and city staff explained the reversionary clause in the lease and confirmed the option-to-purchase language is enforceable under the current agreement; the amendment approved on Oct. 20 does not remove those protections and adds instructions to negotiate repayment of the balance to the University of Connecticut.

What the action does and next steps

The council’s authorization directs the mayor to negotiate and execute the conveyance paperwork and related agreements needed to close the transaction, and to address the outstanding payoff tied to the property’s original acquisition. Staff said they will prepare conveyance documents and that final deed materials and any reversionary language will be presented and recorded in accordance with city practice.

Why this matters locally

Council supporters said earlier ownership would allow 5 Points to pursue additional capital projects and position the center for more ambitious programming that could attract regional visitors. Opponents urged prudence and noted the political turnover after the election; corporation counsel and staff pointed to the lease’s built-in protections and the city’s ability to require continued operation through reversion clauses.

The council vote amends the lease and authorizes mayoral execution of necessary documents; staff will return final conveyance language for recording and public record.