Diana Stricker Photo
Reed, Malloy, DaRos
Tourists will have a new place to go in the eclectic seaside village of Stony Creek by next summer.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy arrived Wednesday to announce a $500,000 state grant that will enable the town to purchase the beach-view post office building and install public restrooms. Postal service will continue in part of the building.
The lack of bathroom facilities — except for a row of portable potties — has been a problem for tourists who flock to Stony Creek for the fabled Thimble Island cruises or to use the beach or public dock.
File Photo
“For decades we recognized the problem as the Thimble Islands became more popular,” said First Selectman Anthony “Unk“ DaRos. “We are terribly equipped to take care of visitors here. If they have to go to the bathroom, then they’re in terrible shape. This will allow us to get rid of those torture chambers over there,” he said, referring to the portable potties across the road that were baking in the scorching sun.
“This is not only a health issue, it’s a safety issue,” DaRos said as he addressed the 20-some people gathered at the Post Office for the governor’s announcement.
Diana Stricker Photo
Inside the post office building.
The post office property is across the road from the park and beach properties that the town already owns. The plan is to continue leasing part of the building to the U.S. Post Office, and then construct public bathrooms in the other half. DaRos said he hopes the project will be complete by Memorial Day.
For years, the town and the Stony Creek Association have been interested in buying the building at 202 Thimble Islands Road that houses the post office. The owner of the property put it on the market a few years ago and the board of selectman voted unanimously in June 2008 to find a way to purchase the property without putting the burden on taxpayers. The board of selectman at that time included DaRos, Fran Walsh, and John Opie. Both DaRos and Opie live in Stony Creek.
DaRos told the Eagle Wednesday that the grant will not cover the entire asking price of the building, but that private donations will help make up the difference.
The property is owned by Thomas Colville, a well-known private American art dealer who has offices in New Haven and New York. Colville told the Eagle in a previous interview that he purchased the post office building in 1993 when its prior owner went bankrupt.
When Malloy was in Stony Creek last summer for the ceremonial signing of cell tower legislation, DaRos told him about the bathroom situation and the impact on tourism. “He immediately recognized the problem,” DaRos said.
“He made me, in sweltering heat, walk back so I could see this site,” Malloy said, joking with the crowd.
That impromptu “tour” coincided with the town’s application last summer for a state grant from the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) for the potty project. Click here to read about that.
Malloy’ announced STEAP grants yesterday for 14 towns, including Stony Creek.
“These grants are critical to many small towns across the state that need this funding to complete important capital improvement projects that otherwise may never get financed,” he said. “These are funds that will have a lasting effect on the towns for years to come.”
Malloy gave credit to state Rep. Lonnie Reed (D‑Branford), state Rep. Pat Widlitz (D‑Branford and Guilford), and state Sen. Edward Meyers for their advocacy for the project.
“Lonnie Reed is a powerhouse,” Malloy said as he mentioned some of her projects. “She has done an unbelievable job.”
Reed, in turn, thanked the governor for the grant and said the project meshes with his emphasis on tourism. She joked that the state’s tourism campaign of “Still Revolutionary” could be expanded to include: “Still civilized. We have indoor plumbing.”
She talked about the importance of tourist attractions in Branford and said, “an indoor comfort station is going to be a big asset.”
Reed sponsored the cell tower legislation that brought the governor to Stony Creek last year.
Rep. Widlitz, who was on vacation, sent a press release that states: “This will certainly enhance the experience for tourists to visit this scenic area and most of all for Branford’s residents to enjoy the beach, park, restaurants and marine facilities.”
Sen. Meyer, who was also on vacation, sent a press release saying the new public facilities will “make Branford an even more attractive place to visit, thereby boosting our local economy.”
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I am absolutely delighted that the post office can continue to function in Stony Creek. It's "civilized" to go there: no long lines, a lovely view out the window. Its location in Stony Creek adds to the sense of community and to that of a village that offers needed service to residents in addition to those for tourists. I had been afraid it would end up being sold to someone who would rip it down and put up something fancy in its place.