Old Saybrook voters to decide land swap for former Dock and Dine site

OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. (WFSB) – Voters will decide next week on a land swap that would allow the town to take over the former Dock and Dine property and convert it into a waterfront park.

The proposal would give the town control of the old Dock and Dine location and turn the roughly 2-acre spot into a waterfront park. In exchange, the current property owner would convert the Duffy Pavilion at Saybrook Point into a restaurant.

“The view is the best,” said Holly Winslow of Old Saybrook.

For Holly and Bob Winslow, Duffy Pavilion at Saybrook Point holds a special place in their hearts.

“It’s a unique location right on the water. We had our 50th wedding anniversary there, and it was just the perfect place for that,” Bob Winslow said.

First Selectman Carl Fortuna said the area is one of the most beautiful in New England.

“Yes or No, whatever the outcome, we will accept it,” Fortuna said.

Jon Kodama, the restaurant owner, would lease the pavilion building and have the right to use the surrounding area for outside dining.

“It will have the vein of Dock and Dine,” Kodama said.

Kodama knows the spot well. He owned the Dock and Dine.

“It was hugely successful, popular, sort of a landmark restaurant,” he said.

But hurricanes Irene and Sandy proved too much for the property.

“It took us almost a year, re-opened, completely redone restaurant. Open for 63 days, and then Sandy came,” Kodama said.

He said rebuilding and meeting FEMA requirements would have cost millions. The property remained empty as other plans fell through.

“Initially I was a little lukewarm about giving up the property, but after thinking about it and how long it sat empty trying to get something done, it made the most sense,” Kodama said.

Fortuna said voters will have the final say.

“This is the decision the town has to make. Do we want the open space for generations? Do we want to keep the Duffy Pavilion for what we’re using it for?” he said.

The town-wide referendum is set for Tuesday. If it passes, there would be a four-month due diligence period. Both sides would still need to meet requirements and sign off on the deal.