Waterford — Electric Boat, the new owner of the former Crystal Mall property, is awaiting state traffic approval tied to its renovation project and is seeking town approval to approve conversions of old anchor stores into training centers. EB wants to renovate the former Bed Bath & Beyond and Sears stores, according to Planning Director Mark Wujtewicz, who said he meets with EB officials weekly. The submarine maker has also applied for a building permit from the town. Wujtewicz said last week the company seeks approval for “selective demolition” and conversions of the two former retailers. The Sears space would be made into permanent workforce training facility, while the shell of the Bed Bath & Beyond will be made into a temporary workforce training center. “It would just be limited to this work,” Wujtewicz said. Wujtewicz said the company’s conversion of the former mall, which officially closed its doors at the end of March after 40 years in business, is proceeding on schedule. He added that EB’s purchase means the town has to rework its own long-term development plans and must abandon its vision of a mixed-use, business and residential operation. EB purchased the mall property last year after pressure from the U.S. Navy to deliver submarines. Moving some workers to Waterford would free up space in the Groton shipyard, which can’t expand because it has the Thames River on one side and neighborhoods on the other. The Groton shipyard could then focus more on building submarines.
EB seeking approval for first conversion projects at former Crystal Mall
