Norwich — The committee reviewing the three development proposals for the historic 19th century house owned by escaped slave James L. Smith at 59 School St., and an adjacent apartment house at 61 School St., will invite the developers to present their plans in 20-minute sessions June 4.

The 59 and 61 School Street Committee will begin hearing the presentations at 5 p.m. on June 4 in the planning office conference room, 23 Union St., Norwich. At 6 p.m., the committee will meet to discuss the three proposals and whether to make a recommendation to the City Council for a preferred developer for the two properties.

The city acquired the two properties through tax foreclosure and, given their historic connection to the Underground Railroad, sought development proposals rather than straight auction sales.

According to his autobiography published in 1881, Smith had rented an apartment before buying the wood frame house at 59 School St. “a few steps” away.

Last week, the city received renovation proposals from B&G Jordan Rentals of Gales Ferry, Denison Partners of Norwich and the nonprofit historic preservation group Norwich Heritage Trust, headed by city Historian Dale Plummer.