Uncas Leap Falls: a Convergence of Cultures
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Uncas Leap Falls: A Convergence of Cultures Site Feasibility Study August 29, 2012 This page intentionally left blank Uncas Leap Falls: A Convergence of Cultures Prepared for the City of Norwich & The Mohegan Tribe August 29, 2012 Study Team: Goderre & Associates, LLC with Economic Stewardship, Inc. Hutton Associates, Inc. Gibble Norden Champion Brown Consulting Engineers, Inc. Nelson Edwards Company Architects, LLC Archeological and Historic Services, Inc. 1492: Columbus arrives in the Americas Front cover illustration of Uncas provided by the Mohegan Tribe 1598: Uncas is born Historical Timeline 1620: Pilgrims arrive 1634 – 1638: Pequot War 1654: John Casor is first legally recognized slave in the US 1659: Norwich founded 1675 – 1678: King Philip’s War 1683: Uncas’ death 1741: Benedict Arnold is born 1754: French Indian War begins 1763: French Indian War ends 1775: American Revolutionary War begins 1776: Signing of the Declaration of Independence 1783: American Revolutionary War ends 1863: President Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation 2012: Norwich Casts the Freedom Bell Uncas Leap Falls: A Convergence of Cultures Site Feasibility Study August 29, 2012 2 Uncas Leap Falls: A Convergence of Cultures TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Overview.............................................................................................................................. 4 1.2 Cultures Converge ................................................................................................................ 7 The Nine Mile Square ................................................................................................................. 8 The Royal Mohegan Burial Ground ............................................................................................. 9 1.3 An Integrated Approach ..................................................................................................... 10 1.4 Opportunity ....................................................................................................................... 12 2. Uncas Leap Falls: Existing Conditions ................................................................................ 14 2.1 Site Analysis ....................................................................................................................... 14 2.2 Preliminary Building Structural Review .............................................................................. 18 2.3 Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (dated 2002) ........................................................ 20 2.4 Adjacent Resource Opportunities ....................................................................................... 20 2.5 Regional and Local Site Access........................................................................................... 22 3. Regional Integration ........................................................................................................ 23 3.1 Leadership ......................................................................................................................... 23 3.2 An Economic Hub............................................................................................................... 24 3.3 The City of Norwich............................................................................................................ 24 A Resurgence of Economic Growth .......................................................................................... 24 Community Strength ............................................................................................................... 27 3.4 Tourism as a Key Strategy .................................................................................................. 28 Mystic Country and the Last Green Valley ................................................................................ 28 Future Opportunities ................................................................................................................ 28 Uncas Leap Falls: A Convergence of Cultures 3 4. Cultural Heritage Tourism: An Economic Catalyst ............................................................... 30 4.1 What is Cultural Heritage Tourism? .................................................................................... 30 4.2 Investing in Heritage Tourism ............................................................................................ 30 4.3 The Role of Grass-roots Organizations ............................................................................... 33 4.4 Marketing Heritage Tourism .............................................................................................. 35 5. Recommendations ..........................................................................................................36 5.1 Stabilize and Protect the Granite Building .......................................................................... 36 5.2 Establish a Management Structure for Uncas Leap Falls .................................................... 36 5.3 Reestablish Norwich's Approach to Tourism ...................................................................... 37 5.4 Pursue Funding Opportunities ........................................................................................... 38 5.5 Amend the City's Plan of Conservation and Development .................................................. 38 5.6 Protect the Royal Mohegan Burial Grounds ........................................................................ 38 5.7 Perform a National Parks Service Public Design Charrette ................................................. 39 5.8 Conduct a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment ............................................................ 40 5.9 Interpret the Mohegan Tribe's and Norwich's Story............................................................ 40 5.10 Create Partnerships with the Last Green Valley and Regional Entities ................................ 41 5.11 Understand Uncas Leap Fall's Economic Market Potential ................................................. 42 5.12 Define a Vision for Uncas Leap Falls ................................................................................... 42 5.13 Preserve the Granite Building ............................................................................................. 45 5.14 Pursue Granite Building National Register of Historic Place Designation & National Landmark(s) Designation for Uncas Leap Falls and Other Culturally Significant Sites ......... 46 5.15 Reuse Portions of the Brick Building ................................................................................... 46 5.16 Promote the Use of Hydroelectric Power ........................................................................... 47 5.17 Determine Site Development Requirements ...................................................................... 47 5.18 Direct Visitors into Norwich and Uncas Leap Falls; Enhance City Wayfinding ..................... 49 5.19 Market and Brand Uncas Leap Falls & Norwich .................................................................. 51 5.20 Create and Enhance Heritage Walk and Create New Linkages ........................................... 52 6. Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 53 Appendix A: Interviewee Listing Appendix B: The Rise of a Region: The Mohegans, Sachem Uncas and the Industrial Revolution Appendix C: Structural Engineering Report Appendix D: Charrette Agenda Appendix E: Phase 1 ESA, 2002 Appendix F: Funding Resources 4 Uncas Leap Falls: A Convergence of Cultures 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Overview In 2011, the City of Norwich took title through foreclosure of ‘Uncas Leap Falls’, a one acre parcel located at 196-200 Yantic Street in Norwich, CT. Previously referred to as Indian Leap, Uncas Leap Falls (the Site) overlooks the Yantic River and majestic Yantic Falls. The Site consists of a two-story, 9,000SF granite mill building constructed c. 1830, a one-story brick mill building constructed in the early 1900's, a gravel parking area and limited green space. The site has been utilized for the manufacturing of goods ranging from paper in the early 1800's to most recently, helmet mounted mirrors for bicyclists. Currently, the buildings are not being utilized. The roofs of each building are partially collapsed and the granite building's easterly wall has a high probability of failure, creating a life safety concern because of its close proximity to a residential apartment building. However, with structural improvements the entire granite building and a portion of the brick building have high potential for reuse. The conditions of each building are discussed in later sections of this document. The Granite Mill structure is a unique building that represents one of the first mill styles, designs and structural engineering. Interior and exterior, the building possesses several aesthetic values. During the structural review, the building was found to be in fair condition and can be rehabilitated for adaptive reuse. However, the easterly wall has the potential for collapse, endangering the building's adaptive reuse and presenting a life safety concern because of its close proximity to an apartment complex located 20' east. It is strongly recommended that the wall be immediately secured to address life-safety issues and