NORWICH CONSIDERS PURCHASING PARCEL NEAR UNCAS LEAP

Norwich — The City Council Monday is considering the purchase of a tiny vacant lot on Yantic Street so it can be incorporated into the proposed Uncas Leap Heritage Park.

The city has offered $9,000 for the 0.07-acre octagonal-shaped land at 226-230 Yantic St., to owner Clifford R. Larkin. By charter, the proposed purchase must be referred to the Commission on the City Plan for a recommendation prior to the council vote. The council tabled action to the July 16 meeting, and City Planner Deanna Rhodes said the planning commission will schedule a special meeting to review the proposed purchase.

The land abuts two cityowned parcels at the 90-degree curve in Yantic Street that will be part of the Uncas Leap park. City officials plan to use one vacant parcel at 232 Yantic St. for a gravel parking lot. A walkway would lead from the parking lot through the Larkin property to the pedestrian bridge over the Yantic River at the lower Yantic Falls-Uncas Leap.

Norwich planners are working with Mohegan tribal officials to develop a heritage park that would highlight the Native American history of the site and the early industrial development by English settlers. Some of the city’s earliest mills used water power generated at the falls and at a second dam a short distance up river, now part of the Upper Falls Heritage Park.