Thursday, March 13, 2014

Eastern's Main St Building. What's the big secret?



Eastern,s Main Street Real Estate Holdings


 An update on the former Foster Building on Main St., owned by The Eastern Conn,  State Univ. Foundation:
In early December 2013 a large for sale sign was erected on the property.

See initial blog:  http://windhamweek.blogspot.com/2014/01/eastern-foundation-selling-main-st.html

I contacted the Foundation, for an update, three times in December 2013, receiving no response, I then contacted the president's office of ECSU. Shortly after I received an email from the foundation's lawyer,  Justin Murphy informing me that if I had future business concerning the sale of The Foster Building I should go through his office.

The end of December 2013 and mid January 2014 I attempted to contacted Justin Murphy, Foundation attorney,   again with no response. The last week of February I inquired again. I received this on February 26, 2014:

Feb 26 at 9:17 AM
Mr. Monaghan,
The Foundation has no comment does not intend to respond to any further requests for information regarding private Foundation business matters. 
Justin

Wow, seems like The Eastern Foundation has an  attitude problem. Is this the same people that send out those fancy mailings looking for a donation or a cushy endowment? What's the secret? After all they did post an 4 X 8 foot sign advertising their intentions to sell the building. Why the secrecy? Does Eastern have the U.S. Defense Department contract to launch drones worldwide from this Main Street location? Could Bill Gates really want to relocate to Willimantic?  My interest in this property revolves around Main Street's future. That's all.

I have been unable to ascertain   what is happening with Main St property. I do know as fact:
  • The Foster Building has been a money losing proposition since being gifted to the Eastern Foundation. The Foundation/ University has not maintained the building's exterior 
  • The Foundation has listed the building with a Connecticut commercial brokerage. The Foundation is testing the waters to determine if there is viable buyer interesting in purchasing and redeveloping the building
  • If there is no commercial interest, a Foundation option is to tear the building down.
What I do not know:
  • Was there any satisfactory bids?
  • It does not appear that the Main Street building is presently listed with the same commercial brokerage  although the Eastern Foundation is still soliciting bids.
John Monaghan

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