Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Uconn Boathouse topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town clarifies UConn purchase and planned demolition of former auction-house property; 60-day notice starts historic-preservation window
Summary
The Town Manager and Chairwoman said UConn privately purchased the former auction-house property and plans to tear it down to build a new boathouse for the women's rowing team; the town noted a 60-day demolition posting allows the Historic Society to document the structure before removal.
During her Chair's report and the Town Manager's project update, Council Chairwoman Lisa Thomas and Town Manager James Drumm addressed questions about the former auction-house property next to LakeView Restaurant.
Thomas read from a response attached to the agenda explaining that the University of Connecticut purchased the property in a private transaction more than a year ago and intends to demolish the building to construct a boathouse for the UConn women's rowing team. Drumm noted the building is over 100 years old and said it "is not significant architecturally to the Town" while acknowledging its role as a historic gathering place.
Drumm explained that demolition requires a posted notice for 60 days before any removal, giving the Historical Society time to photograph the building and prepare a history. He added that UConn will remain at its current Patriots Park facility until the new boathouse is completed, which the town expects in June 2027.
Councilors were told that prior negotiations with UConn about upgrades to Patriots Park did not produce an agreement and that the University pursued purchase of the adjacent private property instead.
