Notice of Scoping for the UConn Boathouse Relocation Project
Address of possible location: 44 Lake Street
Municipality where proposed action might be located: Coventry
Project Description: The University of Connecticut (UConn) seeks to establish a new boathouse for its women’s rowing team. The existing training and boat storage facility, located approximately 0.15 miles to the south at Patriots Park, was built in 1987, requires significant maintenance, possesses challenges to operations, and does not comply with standards of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The proposed boathouse will be situated on 1.5 acres of private land to be purchased by UConn, located at 44 Lake Street with approximately 80 feet of shoreline access to Coventry Lake. There is also an existing ~11,000 square foot (SF), single-story vacant building in various stages of disrepair that will require some demolition and renovation to provide secure boat storage, appropriate locker room space, and bathrooms. Site improvements will include a gravel boat hauling area, parking improvements along Woodland Street, and a seasonal modular dock. The total project footprint will occupy approximately 0.9 acres.
Known as the “UConn Boathouse Relocation Project,” the Proposed Action to be assessed under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA) process will include the following:
Demolition of ~2,500 SF of unstable structure and ~1,700 SF addition of new structure;
Interior renovations and exterior improvements including secure equipment storage areas, locker rooms, bathrooms, and parking;
UConn will incorporate comments from a public scoping meeting and evaluate the Proposed Action. Direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts associated with the Proposed Action will be assessed.
Project Maps: Click here to view the general location of the property and here for an approximate boundary of the project.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until: 5pm EDT on June 19, 2025
There will be a public scoping meeting for this proposed action:
DATE: June 2, 2025
TIME: 6pm EDT
PLACE: Virtual
NOTES: Participants must register for the meeting in advance at us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Y_2LWGXRTN2OnWHuM125cQ. After registering, a confirmation email will be sent containing information about joining the meeting (including an option to join by phone). A copy of the presentation and a link to the recording will be available at updc.uconn.edu/boathouse following the meeting.
Written comments and/or requests for public scoping meeting accommodations or materials should be sent to:
Name: Antoaneta Fedeles AIA, PMP, LEED AP
Agency: University Planning, Design & Construction
Address:3 Discovery Drive, U-6038, Storrs, CT 06269
E-Mail: antoaneta.fedeles@uconn.edu
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to: publicrecords.uconn.edu/make-a-reqst/
What Happens Next: The sponsoring agency will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor and at updc.uconn.edu.boathouse.