Developer Announced (Again) for Seaside Hospital

Waterford.  After a long and unnecessary delay it appears that Mark S. Steiner is back on track to redevelop the Seaside Hospital site overlooking Long Island Sound. The former tuberculosis hospital, opened in 1934, featured buildings designed by the prominent architect Cass Gilbert and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The state closed the facility in the mid-1990s and put it up for sale. After the town of Waterford decided not to buy the 32-acre property, Steiner made a successful bid to develop it. He planned to convert the buildings to condominiums for adults over age 55 and promised permanent public access to the beach.

But in 2007 Governor M. Jodi Rell cancelled the sale, saying that the public should retain access to the entire waterfront property. While the governor’s plan was well intentioned, it was also short sighted. Without any concrete plan or funding the hospital sat empty and continued to deteriorate. One small outbuilding caught fire, highlighting the potential perils that threatened the site.

            With the recession and the need for revenue the state put Seaside back up for sale last fall. Fortunately, Steiner remained interested. Since he has already done much of the preparatory work, there is hope that he will actually be able to complete his development.