UNCASVILLE, CT – The Mohegan Tribe announced that MTIC Acquisitions, whose sole member is the tribe, has submitted a bid to acquire the 113-acre property recently put up for auction by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich, which includes the site of Saint Bernard School in Uncasville. The Diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2021, and subsequently announced plans to auction the property with a minimum required bid of $6.5 million. Bids were required to be submitted on or before May 26, 2023.
The land under auction is historically part of Mohegan aboriginal land and abuts Mohegan trust lands. The property is steeped in historical significance for the tribe. The tribe’s bid underscores its commitment to the Montville community and includes a long-term lease to Saint Bernard School at a cost of one dollar per year, ensuring that student education can continue uninterrupted. Additionally, the tribe will not develop the surrounding land for commercial or gaming purposes, instead focusing on reacquiring the land as a site of cultural significance for current and future generations.
“The Mohegan Tribe’s bid to reacquire this historically significant land that was home to our ancestors is centered on ensuring uninterrupted educational opportunities for students, while also preserving our tribe’s cultural heritage for future generations,” said James Gessner, Chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council. “Through a long-term lease to Saint Bernard School and the protection of tribal homelands for tribal purposes over commercial development, this is a plan that will safeguard both the future of the school and our ancestral homelands. Our bid is competitive, our interest is genuine, and we believe that we are the ideal choice given our longstanding partnerships with the State of Connecticut and this local community.”
The Mohegan Tribe’s bid is unique in that it restores tribal homelands, rather than commercial development that could impact the school, ensuring the best use of 113 acres of pristine woodland that is used by the school and community. The tribe foresees cultural and educational events on the property in a manner that does not disrupt or conflict with school uses. This approach aligns with the tribe’s long-standing values of responsible land management and respect for the environment. Their agreement to lease the school area further demonstrates their deep commitment to education in Southeast Connecticut and across the state.
