Feature of the Month: Redevelopment opportunity - Town of Groton is looking for the best development team for 240 Oral School Rd.

Groton CT Located at 240 Oral School Rd. in the northeast corner of town, the Mystic Education Center is ready for new life. Mystic Education Center sits on 77 acre parcel of land minutes from I-95. This site was home to a family-run school for the deaf from 1872 until 1921. Originally called the Whipple Home School for Deaf-Mutes, it was changed to the Mystic Oral School in 1895, which lent its name to Oral School Road—the address of the property today. 

The state of Connecticut took ownership of the school in 1921 and operated it as a public institution until 1980. After 1980, the campus had many uses. Most notably for local residents, the play fields and indoor recreation facilities, including a heated swimming pool, were open to the public as part of the town’s parks & recreation services. 

Since the property was declared as surplus by the state in 2011, several buildings have been demolished, and the state has been working to clean up and prepare the property for sale. 

Meanwhile, the town commissioned a market feasibility study and received a state grant to market the property to potential buyers. There are currently eight existing buildings with 175,000 s/f of space that remain on the property. The largest building is the administration building. This was built in1938 and totals 69,658 s/f. The Pratt Gymnasium is the second largest building on site. It was built in 1975 and totals 40,000 s/f. The gymnasium houses a full gym, natatorium, and a bowling alley. 

The site is accessible from major transportation systems. It is a 3 minute drive from the nearest I-95 access point and a 10 minute drive from the Amtrak train station. Proximity to downtown Mystic, Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium tourist attractions also means that there is a large existing tourism base in relatively close proximity to the site. The site is within easy commuting distance from major employment centers and amenities. Mystic, downtown Groton, the Naval Submarine base and the city of New London are all within a 10-15 minute drive of the site. 

Town water and sewer are available to the property from Cow Hill Rd. A recent market analysis documented existing high house-hold incomes and a growing demand for commerce. Survey, environmental, and other predevelopment information is available.  

Quietly located in southeastern Connecticut there is much to explore in town. Surrounded by water on three sides (the Mystic River, Thames River, and Long Island Sound) and home to the U.S Navy Submarine Base, General Dynamics/Electric Boat, and Pfizer, the town has plenty to offer. The town of Groton is regarded as the “economic engine” for southeastern Connecticut and is located between New York City and Boston. The town is afforded excellent regional highway (I-95 and 395) and rail (Amtrak Northeast Corridor) access, a deep water port, an airport, a foreign trade zone, an enterprise zone, and most recently an airport development zone. 

Recognizing a need for diversity in the local economy, the town has ramped up economic development initiatives; recently completing a market analysis, creating a new brand for the town, wayfinding signage, and a stand-alone economic development website. Exciting things are happening for Groton’s future. 

The town of Groton is interested in attracting the best development team. A future Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued this fall. Groton’s primary goal is to ensure the planned and timely development of the former Mystic Education Center property in a way that maximizes financial benefits to the town and serves as an economic anchor. Only the future sale of the property will be entertained. The town is motivated to work closely with the selected development team to expedite project completion. 

For additional information or to be placed on our distribution list for the future RFP, please contact Paige Bronk, economic and community development manager at pbronk@groton-ct.gov.