Politics & Government

DEEP to Host a Site Visit at Sunrise State Park in East Haddam

The tour on February 3 is for perspective bidders interested in the long-term development and management of the park.

 

Press Release 

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced it will host site visit at Sunrise State Park in East Haddam on Friday February 3, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM for perspective bidders to redevelop, manage, and operate Sunrise State Park (formerly the Sunrise Resort) in East Haddam.  A snow date is scheduled for Monday February 6, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.  Prospective bidders who plan to attend the site visit should RSVP to DEEP at the following e-mail address: deep.sunrisestatepark@ct.gov

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The primary objective of redeveloping Sunrise is to make it a destination location for residents and visitors and to restore the park’s role as a vital and integral part of East Haddam and the surrounding communities.  Although the DEEP has no fixed plan for the park’s redevelopment, there are elements that will be strongly preferred by DEEP.  These elements should:

  • Preserve the natural, cultural and historic resources of the property
  • Ensure public access to the park
  • Demonstrate an economic benefit to the state and to the region
  • Demonstrate a sensitivity to development that is appropriate to the site
  • Use sustainable, energy efficient building practices

DEEP expects that proposed commercial uses for the property will be compatible with public use and the historic character of the park.  The DEEP will also consider proposals for development and new construction such as:

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  • Recreation facilities
  • Education facilities
  • Short- or extended-stay accommodations including camping, RVs, and cabins
  • Hospitality uses, including hotel and banquet/conference facilities
  • Food service and small-scale retail facilities

DEEP will not permit the following on park property:

  • Permanent, long-term residential uses
  • Industrial or manufacturing uses
  • Telecommunication towers
  • Adult entertainment enterprises

More information on this project, including the complete Request for Proposal document is available on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/DEEP/Sunrise

Proposals should be submitted to the following address no later than 4:00 PM on Friday, March 16, 2012:

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
State Parks & Public Outreach Division
79 Elm Street – 6th Floor
Hartford, CT 06106
Attn:  Thomas J. Tyler, Director of State Parks and Public Outreach

Background on Sunrise Resort/Sunrise State Park

The resort began in 1916 as Elm Camp when Henry Engle completed the Main Bungalow by installing electric lights, telephone and a water system.  In 1986, the Robert Johnson family took ownership and managed it until 2008.  DEEP purchased the 143-acre property in January 2009 for $3.2 million.


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