Stonington — The proposal to spend up to $2.2 million to buy a piece of riverfront land just north of Mystic Seaport to house a public park and the Stonington High School crew team boathouse will go to a town meeting vote on Sept. 20.

On Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to send the plan to a town meeting and ask the Board of Finance to approve a supplemental appropriation for the project.

That could come in the way of bonding or tapping the town’s undesignated fund surplus.

Details about how the town would fund the project are expected to be available before the town meeting.

“This is a unique opportunity for the town. We can provide public access to the water, meet the needs of students and beautify the entrance to the business district. We will get a return on this investment,” Selectman Mike Spellman said.

The breakdown of costs include $1,875,000 to buy the 1.5-acre site at 123 Greenmanville Ave. from owner Frederic Baumgarten.

It is estimated to cost $311,793 to clean up contamination on the site, but that expense will be deducted from the purchase price.

First Selectman Rob Simmons said Wednesday that town officials already have had productive discussions with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection about the possibility of obtaining a state grant to cover the cleanup.

That would further decrease the cost of the project or allow additional improvements.

Simmons said he has been reasonably assured the state will provide the money.

There is also $262,290 for demolition and to create the park along with a 15 percent design fee and a 20 percent contingency fund.

Simmons said he expects private donations and in-kind contributions to lower the demolition and construction costs.

The Friends of Stonington Crew would be responsible for raising money to construct the boathouse and dock.

“This is not a Mystic project. It’s a Stonington project that gives all residents access to the water,” Simmons told selectmen Wednesday night, adding the town’s history is full of lost opportunities to acquire waterfront land.

The Trust for Public Land has assisted the town in securing a contract to purchase the site.

The plan is for the trust to acquire the land, which will give the town time to approve funding and then acquire the land from the trust.

The Friends of Stonington Crew would then sell the building and dock to the town for a nominal amount and the town would own, insure and manage the property.

Simmons, who has been a big supporter of the plan, has pointed out the site is the last major undeveloped property available along the river.

The property, which contains a 1,680-square-foot home and garage that would be demolished, is located just north of the Latitude 41 restaurant.

j.wojtas@theday.com