Governor Rell: Army Corps Site Selection for New Reserve Center

Marks “Big Victory” for Middletown, State

“The Corps of Engineers has listened to us.”

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today praised the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for selecting Cucia Park in Middletown as the preferred alternate site for a new Armed Forces Reserve Center (AFRC).

On March 20, Governor Rell directed the state’s Adjutant General to contact the Corps of Engineers to emphasize her strong opinion that Cucia Park is the only suitable site for a new Armed Forces Reserve Center (AFRC).

“This is great news for Middletown,” Governor Rell said. “Of the sites the Defense Department considered, Cucia Park is, by far, the most sensible.  The Corps of Engineers has listened to us.  This is a big victory for the state and the city.

“Cucia Park has all the space the military needs,” the Governor said.  “It has the power, water and other utility connections nearby, and it is located in an area that is zoned for industrial use. It is also convenient to Interstate 91 and in an area that will not have a major impact on Middletown’s neighborhoods.

“The citizen-soldiers who give of themselves to serve our state and our nation deserve the best we can provide,” the Governor said. “We must also be sensitive to the needs of the community, which is why I asked the Defense Department to restart its site search after the initial location they identified in Middletown drew serious public opposition. I am grateful to the Corps of Engineers for working closely with Middletown officials and General Martin to conduct a transparent, collaborative selection process.”

            Governor Rell’s March 20 instruction to Air Force Major General Thad Martin followed his meeting with the Corps of Engineers on March 4 – also held at the Governor’s request – where General Martin told Army officials the Governor strongly supported the selection of Cucia Park.

            A new AFRC is needed because several existing facilities scattered around the state are to be closed under the 2005 recommendations of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The new center would serve reservists from all over Connecticut in one centralized location.

            Governor Rell intervened in the site selection process last August after the Army identified a property on Boardman Lane in Middletown as a possible location for the new AFRC. Residents and state officials expressed concerns about the 88-acre site, citing the historical, environmental and rural nature of the parcel.

            The Governor directed General Martin to have one of the Connecticut National Guard units slated to make use of the new facility, the 250^TH Engineering Co., remain at its current location. By doing so, the “footprint” of the new facility could be reduced, allowing other locations to be considered.