This survey continues a planning effort which began in 2019 to explore possible future uses for these sites and to help the Town to create a clearer vision of what kinds of development are desired and supported by the community.  That vision can be communicated to potential developers and can be used to evaluate development proposals.

• Drop In Meeting at the Caring Connection (July 10, 2019)
  
  Attendees to a drop‐in meeting at the Caring Connection were given a general overview of the purpose of the meeting and the layout of the room. Tables were set up on each side of the room presenting five (5) scenarios for each of the sites. Facilitators were available at each table to explain concepts and answer any questions. A voting cup was provided next to each scenario for participants to identify which scenarios they favored and did not favor. Each participant also received a feedback form to provide more comments. Approximately 31 people attended the drop-in meeting.
  

• 18 Question Survey (July 11 – 16, 2019)
  
  Windsor residents were invited to participate in an 18-question survey regarding the future use of both sites. For each parcel of land, survey respondents were asked to rate each development option (the same that were presented at the drop-in meeting) on a scale of 1-5 and were asked to rank all options in order of preference. Over the course of six days, 195 people participated in the online survey. Out of all participants 21, lived in Wilson at the time, and 4 owned a property there while living elsewhere.

Results of both the drop in meeting and the survey were discussed by the Town Council and the Town Improvements Committee in August and September. As a result of those discussions, the Council approved steps to obtain more information regarding the physical condition of the Wolcott School building and site.  They also requested additional community outreach with a focus on gaining input from neighborhood residents.

To obtain additional neighborhood input, staff had originally planned an in-person workshop in the neighborhood.  However, the arrival of the Coronavirus pandemic has led us to adopt an online survey which is marketed to the area as the best alternative.

Background for Wolcott School Property

The building at 57 East Wolcott Avenue was built in 1967 as Roger Wolcott Elementary School. It was a replacement for the original multi-story school building which fronted along Windsor Avenue.  In the early 90s, the elementary school closed and reopened as the Roger Wolcott Early Childhood Center some years later. It closed again at the end of the 2011- 2012 school year when the elementary schools were reorganized. Team Paragon, a youth program and its high school robotics team have partially occupied the building. The building is no longer needed by the Board of Education and has been turned back to the Town.  With annual utility and maintenance costs around $70,000 per year, the Town is considering alternative uses for it.  Disposition and redevelopment of the site would produce revenue in the form of property taxes.  It would also avoid costs from repair or replacement of building systems.

Background for Redevelopment Parcel

The Town assembled the 5.6 acre Redevelopment Parcel on Windsor Avenue in stages over many years.  The original 3.1 acre portion was acquired in the 1980’s to address flooding issues on Decker Brook and then, once this was done, the intent was to encourage redevelopment of the site.  Town ownership was further extended in 2003 and 2004 with the purchase of a former restaurant site and transfer of excess right-of-way from the State of Connecticut. While the Town has considered various development concepts and proposals, to date, a suitable option has not been found.