Town leaders were unable to negotiate a deal with owners of private property on Riverside Road to buy their two-lot property, and so the Legislative Council was informed that the architects Svigal & Partners will be working on a redesign of the current Dickinson Drive as an access to the new Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Town leaders last month opted against pursuing eminent domain, and were reluctant to offer more than the highest appraisal that the state would reimburse for the land: that amount was just about $380,000.
First Selectman Pat Llodra said another offer of $650,000 was made to the Oberstadt family this week, but even that offer was not accepted. Any such offer would have required Board of Finance approval and town voter approval.
The effort now will focus on a redesign and configuration of the current access road so as to lessen the emotional impact of that driveway for the staff and families who will be required to travel the road to reach the new school. The architects have suggested such things as a median island, and amenities that will allow the road to be functional but appear quite different than the current entrance.
Town officials have stated that this will likely require some public relations, but so far agree that this is the best route to take given the time constraints for the construction. Town and school leaders have high hopes of the school opening in the 2016 school year.