By LAYLA KALINEN
Eagle Times Correspondent
WINDSOR, VT — In the close to seven years since Gov. Phil Scott ordered the Southeast State Corrections Facility be closed, there have been proposals every year to repurpose the 57-acre property situated just three miles outside of city limits.
In mid-December the town of Windsor held an informational meeting for residents to review new possible options to utilize the land that Tom Marsh, Town Manager, and Thomas Kennedy of the Mount Ascutney Regional Planning Commission (MARPC) say are costing the state about a quarter of a million dollars to maintain as an equitable structure involving water, sewer, heat, electricity and ground maintenance. The idea to create a multi-use property, perhaps including housing, businesses and recreational use, was proposed by Rep. Alice Emmons of Springfield in the 2023 session.
One company, Bell Design Studios, submitted and presented their proposal to Windsor citizens on Dec. 13, 2023, and was approved by the MARPC for review by the legislature in conjunction with citizen’s input of the potential land use.
Emily Bell proposed that the land could be utilized by one or more outside entities creating housing, business, retail and recreational facilities.
Marsh said the bidding process on buying or accessing the land is farther down the pike because his hope is that the legislature will approve the idea, and there are still structures that need to be demolished.
“It’s a step in the right direction, it might take some time, but we are moving forward,” Marsh said.
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