Rep. Carney Backs Communities Challenge Grant for Old Saybrook

HARTFORD – State Representative Devin Carney (R-23) submitted a letter to the Department of Economic and Community Development in support of the Town of Old Saybrook’s CT Communities Challenge Grant application to revitalize the former Dock & Dine property. The letter also received support from Old Saybrook’s State Senators Paul Formica (R-20) and Norm Needleman (D-33).

“Many of us have fond memories of the Dock & Dine as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. With grant funding, this site can once again host a vibrant community space and provide dozens of jobs,” said Rep. Carney. “I’m proud to support the efforts of Jon Kodama and the Town of Old Saybrook to revitalize this property.”

The property has been owned and maintained by Jon Kodama since 1987. The Dock & Dine restaurant was a well-known destination across the shoreline and Connecticut River Valley attracting visitors to the town and providing dozens of year-round and seasonal jobs. The site has been vacant for a decade after sustaining damage due to Hurricanes Irene (2011) and Sandy (2012).

The application is backed by $3 million from private investors, $500,000 from the town of Old Saybrook and seeks matching funds of $3.5 million from the Communities Challenge Grant. The project is estimated to create 50-75 construction jobs, 60-80 year-round restaurant jobs with up to 120 during peak summer months.

The CT Communities Challenge Grant Program managed by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) was launched to fund projects such as improving/reusing existing properties, transit-oriented development, essential infrastructure, housing, as well as public space or pedestrian improvements, with the goal of creating 3,000 jobs statewide.