Restarting search process
T he decision by the New London City Council to end negotiations to relocate city offices into rented space at 6 Shaw’s Cove provides an opportunity for New London Mayor Michael Passero to both better explain his lease-space concept and to restart a process that came under criticism.
The mayor remains convinced that consolidating most city offices, now scattered among City Hall and three other city-owned buildings, into a single rental space is the best longterm option.
It would temporarily clear out historic City Hall, allowing for necessary renovations, with the mayor’s office, council chambers and possibly probate court and the registrar of voters later to return. It would relieve the city of the burden of renovating and maintaining the buildings it owns on Masonic, Union and Broad streets. The mayor’s expectation is those buildings could be sold and placed on the tax rolls, though it is unclear where that optimism comes from, given high vacancy rates nearby.
The administration did not do a good job of convincing the public that the plan would be a net positive for the city, not only in terms of cost — any projected savings have to be weighed against long-term leasing expenses — but also for the economic revitalization of the downtown district.
When the initial request for proposals attracted only two offers, and 6 Shaw’s Cove was selected as the preferred bidder, criticism grew. Many saw the proposed move to the Howard Street location as an abandonment of the central downtown area, though it is at worst on the outskirts.
A combination of the criticism for the plan and unease about other litigation involving the prospective landlord, Julian Enterprises, convinced the City Council two weeks ago to end negotiations. Passero said Tuesday he would restart the process by late summer or early autumn.
At least one downtown property owner said he was unaware of the prior RFP process. There should be no excuses this time. Potentially a winning bid could come from within the traditional downtown area, cutting off that criticism.
But if Passero’s administration hopes to address the skeptics, and win council support, placing this proposal in its bigger vision for the downtown must be its top priority.