Friday, August 18, 2006
Voter's To Decide Utopia's fate
Residents choose at Tuesday’s referendum
By Stephen Kurczy
In the fantasy book “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe,” three siblings face three options when their younger sister says there exists a magical world of talking animals: Their sister is crazy, is lying, or is telling the truth.
If she is neither prone to lying nor to lunacy, then they must believe her.
At next Tuesday’s referendum, Preston residents face the same options: Utopia Studios, Ltd. is lying, is crazy, or is telling the truth.
“Either he’s going to build it, or he’s crazy,” said First Selectman Robert Congdon, “and I don’t think he’s crazy.”
If Joseph Gentile, Utopia’s chief financial officer, is telling the truth, then the Long-Island based firm will build a $1.6 billion complex complete with a 4,200 hotel rooms, a performing arts college, a fully enclosed theme park and America’s largest movie production studio east of Hollywood. That is, if residents decide they want to give him the chance.
The collective voice of Preston will be louder than any individual voice heard during the month of May after the referendum.
During the last three weeks, Utopia has puffed out its chest, bringing in famed actors and notable engineers to tout its project. The Hospital Advisory Committee has gathered twice to detail the development agreement.
The committee hosts a final information session tonight at 8 p.m. at Veterans’ Memorial School.
Utopia wants to develop 419 acres of the former Norwich State Hospital, which the state still owns.
An April poll conducted by the Times projected 47 percent of those polled voting in favor of the project, 35 percent voting against and 18 percent undecided. Now, many voters still seem unsure of the project.
From the crew of 25 people that Gentile gathered to tout his proposal, none said specifically what role they’ll play with Utopia.
Gentile compared Utopia to both the New York Yankees baseball club and the experience of “meeting that special person in your life,” but he had not answered one of Preston resident Jim Ewing’s 20 questions.
“It was more fluff than substance,” Ewing said.
Another Preston resident, Eleanor Miller, was also unsatisfied with Utopia’s presentations. She compared Utopia’s proposal for a 6,000-student college with the New York Film Academy, the world’s largest film school, which has 1,000 students.
“We’re voting on numbers that aren’t even realistic,” she said.
No matter how many students actually attend, Congdon replied, Utopia will still be paying taxes on a 6,000-student school. If fewer students come, that may merely mean less traffic.
Nevertheless, Ron Pearlman, who starred in the 2004 blockbuster “Hellboy,” tried to convince residents that Utopia’s proposal is realistic.
“I’m a believer,” Pearlman said.
Cathy Moriarty-Gentile, the sole shareholder of Utopia, and the supporting actress in the 1980 film “Raging Bull,” told the crowd, “It’s a no-lose situation.”
Overall, the Hospital Advisory Committee agrees.
“If they build it, we benefit; if it fails, we benefit,” said Kent Borner, a member of the advisory committee, last Saturday to a 100-plus crowd at a public forum.
“Preston’s been the runt of Connecticut; we’ve had two casinos and an incinerator shoved down our throat,” Borner said. “We have the chance to benefit for a change.”
If approved at next week’s referendum, Utopia has 15 days to provide the town $50,000 to cover additional soft costs, and $800,000 for an environmental assessment of the contaminated and dilapidated former state hospital.
If Utopia does not meet the June 7 deadline, the agreement may be terminated.
Next, Utopia must pre-fund the town $13.3 million, the first four years in tax payments and soft costs, which will be placed in escrow. Also, Utopia must complete the phase III environmental assessment and provide proof that it can pay for the remediation.
If not done within 180 days, the agreement may be terminated. Only at this point would the town buy the property for $1 and sell it to Utopia for $10.
Before breaking ground, Utopia must complete the environmental remediation, deposit an additional $3.7 million in escrow, secure at least $900 million in financing, complete the master plan and have all governmental permits.
If not done within 18 months, the agreement may be terminated.
“If we close with Utopia, that money is in the bank,” Borner said. “They can’t touch it, we can.”
Preston resident Paul Sampson asked if the town will ever again see such a lucrative deal.
Probably not, Congdon answered.
However, several residents were alarmed by this reasoning.
“I feel like we’re not really voting on Utopia happening, we’re voting on the development agreement being strong,” said Gail Rigney, Preston resident.
Some committee members hinted that they want Utopia to fail.
“Most of you seem to think it’s going to fail, and if it fails that we win,” said local resident Gary Piszczek. “I think we’re being pigs about this.”
If Utopia fails, the town will still be $13.3 million richer and can sell the property to an alternative developer.
Borner suggested the town request an additional escrow to be used in the event that the town must sue Utopia, so that Utopia would be effectively suing itself.
“I believe the agreement is as rock-solid as you could make,” Congdon said.
“But,” added Selectman Gerry Grabarek, “there’s no guarantee that the impact to the town will be greater than what we wish for.”
During Utopia’s presentation, Christopher Thompson, president of Utopia, reminded residents of as much.
“It doesn’t end on May 23,” he said. “It begins.”
Referendum: Tuesday, May 23
Polls open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Preston Town Hall
“Shall the property disposition and development agreement by and between the town of Preston and Utopia Studios, Ltd., relating to the former Norwich State Hospital Property, be approved?”
By Stephen Kurczy
In the fantasy book “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe,” three siblings face three options when their younger sister says there exists a magical world of talking animals: Their sister is crazy, is lying, or is telling the truth.
If she is neither prone to lying nor to lunacy, then they must believe her.
At next Tuesday’s referendum, Preston residents face the same options: Utopia Studios, Ltd. is lying, is crazy, or is telling the truth.
“Either he’s going to build it, or he’s crazy,” said First Selectman Robert Congdon, “and I don’t think he’s crazy.”
If Joseph Gentile, Utopia’s chief financial officer, is telling the truth, then the Long-Island based firm will build a $1.6 billion complex complete with a 4,200 hotel rooms, a performing arts college, a fully enclosed theme park and America’s largest movie production studio east of Hollywood. That is, if residents decide they want to give him the chance.
The collective voice of Preston will be louder than any individual voice heard during the month of May after the referendum.
During the last three weeks, Utopia has puffed out its chest, bringing in famed actors and notable engineers to tout its project. The Hospital Advisory Committee has gathered twice to detail the development agreement.
The committee hosts a final information session tonight at 8 p.m. at Veterans’ Memorial School.
Utopia wants to develop 419 acres of the former Norwich State Hospital, which the state still owns.
An April poll conducted by the Times projected 47 percent of those polled voting in favor of the project, 35 percent voting against and 18 percent undecided. Now, many voters still seem unsure of the project.
From the crew of 25 people that Gentile gathered to tout his proposal, none said specifically what role they’ll play with Utopia.
Gentile compared Utopia to both the New York Yankees baseball club and the experience of “meeting that special person in your life,” but he had not answered one of Preston resident Jim Ewing’s 20 questions.
“It was more fluff than substance,” Ewing said.
Another Preston resident, Eleanor Miller, was also unsatisfied with Utopia’s presentations. She compared Utopia’s proposal for a 6,000-student college with the New York Film Academy, the world’s largest film school, which has 1,000 students.
“We’re voting on numbers that aren’t even realistic,” she said.
No matter how many students actually attend, Congdon replied, Utopia will still be paying taxes on a 6,000-student school. If fewer students come, that may merely mean less traffic.
Nevertheless, Ron Pearlman, who starred in the 2004 blockbuster “Hellboy,” tried to convince residents that Utopia’s proposal is realistic.
“I’m a believer,” Pearlman said.
Cathy Moriarty-Gentile, the sole shareholder of Utopia, and the supporting actress in the 1980 film “Raging Bull,” told the crowd, “It’s a no-lose situation.”
Overall, the Hospital Advisory Committee agrees.
“If they build it, we benefit; if it fails, we benefit,” said Kent Borner, a member of the advisory committee, last Saturday to a 100-plus crowd at a public forum.
“Preston’s been the runt of Connecticut; we’ve had two casinos and an incinerator shoved down our throat,” Borner said. “We have the chance to benefit for a change.”
If approved at next week’s referendum, Utopia has 15 days to provide the town $50,000 to cover additional soft costs, and $800,000 for an environmental assessment of the contaminated and dilapidated former state hospital.
If Utopia does not meet the June 7 deadline, the agreement may be terminated.
Next, Utopia must pre-fund the town $13.3 million, the first four years in tax payments and soft costs, which will be placed in escrow. Also, Utopia must complete the phase III environmental assessment and provide proof that it can pay for the remediation.
If not done within 180 days, the agreement may be terminated. Only at this point would the town buy the property for $1 and sell it to Utopia for $10.
Before breaking ground, Utopia must complete the environmental remediation, deposit an additional $3.7 million in escrow, secure at least $900 million in financing, complete the master plan and have all governmental permits.
If not done within 18 months, the agreement may be terminated.
“If we close with Utopia, that money is in the bank,” Borner said. “They can’t touch it, we can.”
Preston resident Paul Sampson asked if the town will ever again see such a lucrative deal.
Probably not, Congdon answered.
However, several residents were alarmed by this reasoning.
“I feel like we’re not really voting on Utopia happening, we’re voting on the development agreement being strong,” said Gail Rigney, Preston resident.
Some committee members hinted that they want Utopia to fail.
“Most of you seem to think it’s going to fail, and if it fails that we win,” said local resident Gary Piszczek. “I think we’re being pigs about this.”
If Utopia fails, the town will still be $13.3 million richer and can sell the property to an alternative developer.
Borner suggested the town request an additional escrow to be used in the event that the town must sue Utopia, so that Utopia would be effectively suing itself.
“I believe the agreement is as rock-solid as you could make,” Congdon said.
“But,” added Selectman Gerry Grabarek, “there’s no guarantee that the impact to the town will be greater than what we wish for.”
During Utopia’s presentation, Christopher Thompson, president of Utopia, reminded residents of as much.
“It doesn’t end on May 23,” he said. “It begins.”
Referendum: Tuesday, May 23
Polls open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Preston Town Hall
“Shall the property disposition and development agreement by and between the town of Preston and Utopia Studios, Ltd., relating to the former Norwich State Hospital Property, be approved?”
# posted by Stephen C. Kurczy @ 6:57 AM 
