City of New London Seeks Proposals to Redevelop The Martin Center

The City of New London has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the private redevelopment and adaptive reuse of the Martin Center located at 120 Broad Street in New London through a purchase or lease agreement with the City.  Situated on 2.57 acres adjacent to the State of Connecticut Superior Courthouse, the Martin Center currently houses the New London Senior Citizen Center, as well as other municipal departments and service agencies.  The City will relocate the current occupants if a proposal is accepted and the City and developer negotiate a development agreement. The City will give special consideration to any redevelopment plan that incorporates any one or more of the current tenants on a temporary or permanent basis.   Qualified individuals, firms or development teams interested in submitting a proposal may contact the City of New London Office of Development & Planning at 860.437.6309 or visit the City’s website at http://ci.new-london.ct.us/content/27/55/8297.aspx. All proposals are due by January 15, 2014.

The Martin Center was originally built in the 1930’s as part of a school complex. It houses a gymnasium at the basement level, an auditorium with balcony and stage on the first and second floors, and a number of rooms, originally used for school administration and classrooms, on the mezzanine, first and second floors.  The two-story masonry brick building was renovated in 1976 in order to accommodate a number of municipal departments and service agencies. Then, in 1989, an addition was built at the southeast corner of the building to house the New London Senior Citizen Center.

The other current occupants of the Martin Center include the New London Recreation Department, New London Department of Public Utilities, Veolia Water, New London Youth Affairs – Family Center, New London Community & Campus Coalition, Center for the Blind, and some storage for other City departments. FRESH Community Gardens occupies a small area on the southwestern corner of the lot. 

About Historic New London, Connecticut

Founded in 1646, New London boasts a glorious waterfront, rich cultural scene, fascinating historical sites and fabulous recreational facilities including the Nathan Hale School House, Hempsted Houses, Shaw-Perkins Mansion, Robert Mills US Custom House & Museum, Fort Trumbull State Park and Ocean Beach Park. After more than 350 years of history, this waterfront community continues to thrive with an eclectic mix of unique boutique shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, along with a relaxing maritime atmosphere surrounded by historic streets lined with 18th and 19th century buildings such as the New London Superior Courthouse (1784), Union Railroad Station (1888) and New London Public Library (1890). In addition, the city boasts two of New England’s most stories lighthouses including New London Harbor Lighthouse (1760) and New London Ledge Lighthouse (1909).