Perched at the top of a hill with views of the upper reaches of the Mystic River, the former Mystic Education Center site holds prime economic development opportunity for Groton and the region. Unfortunately, the dismal record the state demonstrated in its handling of redevelopment efforts at the former Norwich Hospital and Seaside Regional Center in Waterford properties seem to be playing out again in Mystic.

Several individuals already approached town and state officials with development ideas ranging from a private school to a luxury spa. They walked away after discovering the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection oversees one part of the property, while the Department of Administrative Services controls another.

“They don’t want to deal with two separate state agencies,” state Rep. John Scott, R-Groton, said of the potential developers.

Scott and the Groton Town Council this winter decided one way around this roadblock was having the state convey to the town the DEEP-controlled 68 mostly forested acres that sweep from the hilltop near the now-empty former education center buildings down to River Road north of downtown Mystic.

The state quickly rejected the request — a move we believe was a blunder that should be rectified.

Prior to its closing in a 2011 state cost-cutting move, the center provided educational and recreational services for more than a century. As the Mystic Oral School, it was a school for deaf children from 1895 until 1980 and then as the Mystic Education Center, it was the site of many services and programs for special needs students. Its pool also was a popular community recreational facility.

Now the school buildings stand empty and forlorn. One especially decrepit structure already was demolished and another with a mold infestation also is slated for removal. At least this state action is positive and proactive in moving toward the goal of redeveloping the site.

We recognize the site has several limitations that might give developers reason for pause. Oral School Road, the site access from Cow Hill Road, is narrow, winding and in need of repaving. Although the state continues to heat and air condition the empty buildings to stave off deterioration, other structures might need to be removed to make way for new development.

The state has legitimate concerns about protecting and retaining as open space the DEEP-controlled portion of the land. Scott contends that while some developers might demand River Road access as a necessity, he believes the town would view as viable a state deed restriction stipulating that 85 percent of the parcel remain as open space. In addition, a system of hiking trails throughout the hillside could be required as part of a development proposal. This ultimately would provide more public access to this especially scenic area.

Scott vows to continue this fight, if he is re-elected in November. Regardless of Scott’s re-election, the state has an opportunity to ease the path toward sensible redevelopment of this parcel. It’s an opportunity state officials should grab onto.