New London council approves purchase of Crystal Avenue property
New London — The City Council, with a 4-3 vote on Monday, authorized the purchase of the Thames River Apartments property on Crystal Avenue from the New London Housing Authority.
The council agreed to the $185,000 purchase price for the 12-acre property, home to high-rise apartments that until recently had provided federally subsidized housing for 124 families.
The city already has started marketing the property to developers through its development arm, the Renaissance City Development Association. The RCDA has published a request for “expressions of interest” and hopes to attract potential buyers interested in taking the property “as is” and developing something that provides taxes to the city.
Council President Anthony Nolan, President Pro Tempore Don Venditto and Councilors Efrain Dominquez and Alma Nartatez voted in favor. Councilors John Satti, Martin Olsen and Michael Tranchida voted against.
Satti and Olsen raised concerns about the unknown costs of environmental cleanup at the site. Mayor Michael Passero argued that cleanup costs would be borne by the future developer of the site.
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