Land Swap Proponents Start Their Own Website

The developer seeking a swap of land in Haddam near the Connecticut River have started their own website that seeks to share some of their information on the plan and get input from residents.

Riverhouse properties says on its website that they want to develop a destination resort at the site and that the plan has broad support in the region. The firm also provides a link on the site to a sampling of comments community leaders have made in support of the plan.

"We believe the proposal is a win-win for everybody - environmentalists, the tourism industry, as well as municipal and state governments," the new website says.

Trevor Furrer, one of the Riverhouse partners, said Friday the firm decided to create a website to "dispel some of the myths out there" about the land swap plan. 

For instance, he said, some people still refer to the land as riverfront property when it is not. The land is next to Eagle Landing State Park and overlooks a scenic stretch of the Connecticut River that includes the iconic Goodspeed Opera House and a swing bridge over the river. 

He also said the website seeks to give supporters of the plan a chance to voice their support "so we're not just all shouting." 

"We have people coming into the Riverhouse and calling us all the time telling us this is a good thing," he added. 

Riverhouse wants to trade 87 acres it owns in Higganum for 17.4 acres that abut their banquet facility, the Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station, in Tylerville. The proposal, currently pending before the senate, has generated heated controversy in the region, with opponents saying it would ruin one of the most scenic areas of the Connecticut River and could dampen future land sales or donations to the state. The 17.4 acres was sold as conservation land to the state several years ago.

The land swap opponents also have their own website.