Submarine maker Electric Boat has broken ground on an adaptive reuse project to turn Waterford’s Crystal Mall into a corporate campus.
At a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday morning, General Dynamics Electric Boat President Mark Rayha said the property, at which up to 5,000 employees are expected to work, will allow the company to “do things smarter, and do things faster, and we can deliver that many more submarines to the nation.”
Matthew Pugliese, deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, said the project was a big deal.
“This may be the largest and most successful adaptive reuse property in the state’s history,” Pugliese said. “We couldn't be more grateful that EB and the team here have thought creatively and innovatively and brought a real new use that is the best way to bring the site back to continue to be an economic and community driver in the state.”
Waterford First Selectman Rob Brule acknowledged the impact the project will have on the town.
“This project means jobs, education, workforce development, new businesses, and a strong tax base,” Brule said. “And it connects Waterford directly to something even bigger: the national security of the United States.”
“Thank you for choosing Waterford,” Brule said, addressing Rayha. “Where others saw an empty mall, you and your talented team saw 900,000 square feet of opportunity.”
Rayha said Electric Boat plans to keep the mall’s famous 2,000-pound crystal chandelier.
“It's obviously part of Waterford's heritage,” he said.
