It may be time, finally, to get serious about the potential of marketing and developing the former Norwich Hospital property.

Despite the lack of development, much has happened, beginning with the state's dereliction of duty to do anything to secure the massive campus when it closed the mental health institution in 1996, leaving the buildings to deteriorate and not even bothering to turn off the water.

There were repeated failed attempts by the state to market the 400-acre property. There were years wasted dealing with a huckster who promised to construct a "Utopia" theme park. A deeply divided Preston decided by a narrow margin to take the state's offer to assume ownership and responsibility for the property, only to see town infighting continue on how to proceed.

But in recent years there has been substantial progress and an administration in Hartford far more willing to help the town in its efforts to get the property ready for development. About 85 percent of the buildings have been razed and hazardous materials removed.

Leading through it all has been First Selectman Robert Congdon, elected to 10 consecutive terms, sometimes by the narrowest of margins. Mr. Congdon may yet land his white whale - the development of the property and its resulting tax revenue - before he leaves office.

On Friday, a team of real estate consultants provided their preliminary observations and recommendations. Change the name of the development site from Preston Riverwalk to Riverwalk at Preston, placing the emphasis on the location along the Thames River. Hard to see that tipping a potential developer's decision, but it can't hurt.

More substantially, the group said the project should be viewed as a regional initiative. Though the property tax revenue would flow to Preston, impact would be regional, the potential job creation a benefit for all. Emphasize development potential throughout the Thames River Valley, with the waterside campus the focal point, seemed to be the message.

Also recommended was marketing and developing the site in parcels, with mixed but complementary uses - science and technology firms, housing, recreational business and educational facilities, for example. Preston long ago abandoned the idea of finding a single developer to utilize the entire site and solve all its problems.

At the meeting with the consultants, attended by leaders from neighboring Ledyard and Montville as well as regional planners, there was excitement about the prospects. It's been a long time coming.