CT offers former Norwich Hospital site

Connecticut is seeking a buyer for part of the old Norwich Hospital site, putting it on the market one day after Norwich officials rejected an offer to buy it for $1.

The 61-acre portion of the former psychiatric hospital requires about $5 million in demolition and environmental cleanup work. Norwich leaders cited the cost Tuesday as the main reason for rejecting the chance to buy it.

A spokesman for Gov. M. Jodi Rell said she directed state officials Wednesday to advertise it for sale, potentially to private developers.

The neighboring town of Preston bought 300 acres of the site within its town limits from the state last March and wants to develop it. Its cleanup cost is estimated at $28 million.

The hospital closed in 1996. (AP)