03/27/2026
To The Old Saybrook Community:
I am very excited at the possibility of reopening a Dock and Dine at the Saybrook Point (much smaller but with some of the same old vibe) and hope that the voters of Old Saybrook will vote “yes” on the March 31 referendum. The outpouring of support and confidence has been heartening, and I want to personally thank everyone who has advocated for the swap. There are other people who have questioned what has occurred over the past 13 years, so I want to take this opportunity to provide an account of the efforts undertaken to restore and redevelop the property following its destruction during Super Storm Sandy in 2012. My singular goal from the date of destruction has been to operate a restaurant at Saybrook Point. The desire to achieve that goal remains as strong as ever and the upcoming referendum represents a significant step toward its reality.
As many know I owned and operated Dock and Dine for 25 years, beginning in 1987. After Hurricane Irene in 2011, we were able to successfully renovate the restaurant with expenditures in excess of $1 million, but the renovations lasted only 63 days until Superstorm Sandy. After Sandy, we received a temporary permit to open for the following summer season but after that we were required to close (not our choice as has been suggested) due to the extent of the storm damage and FEMA’s 50% rule. For more than 13 years since the storm, I have kept the property open to the public, allowing residents and visitors to use the area for parking and as a scenic overlook. During this time, I have continued to maintain liability insurance and ensure the property remained accessible for community use.
In the years immediately following the storm, I remained committed to designing and rebuilding the restaurant and I successfully obtained the necessary approvals to do so. Between design, engineering, architectural and other related expenses, I invested $226,000 during this process. However, due to the significant costs associated with reconstruction—particularly in light of updated regulatory and FEMA compliance requirements — the project cost reached a projected $5.5 million (in 2013). Over the course of approximately four years, I actively but unsuccessfully pursued financing options to support the approved rebuild. As a small local businessperson, obtaining the necessary financing is extremely challenging. It is also important to note that, following the loss of the restaurant, the limited flood insurance proceeds received were not nearly sufficient to fund the construction of a new building. As a result, those funds were ultimately used for soft costs associated with the approvals and to pay down existing debt on the property (not for other projects as has been suggested).
In the subsequent three years, I continued to explore alternative avenues, including seeking private investment and exploring collaborations with several local restauranteurs and developers. While there were promising discussions and some progress, none resulted in a viable path forward for redevelopment. In 2020, we initiated a new concept, “Smoke on the Water,” and devoted more than two years of time and $58,000 in expenses to advancing this vision. After diligently pursuing Smoke on the Water for two years, we were approached by the Town with a state funding opportunity to rebuild the restaurant. As part of this effort, I worked closely with Mr. Fortuna and the Town to pursue a joint application for funding through the State of Connecticut Department of Economic Development Grant, with the goal of addressing FEMA-related compliance costs. Unfortunately, after a great effort, the joint grant application was denied in 2023.
Since 2023, recognizing the ongoing challenges and in an effort to find a productive and mutually beneficial solution, discussions have shifted toward a proposed swap. This plan would allow the Town to acquire the 2.2-acre parcel for the creation of a new waterfront town park—an outcome that I believe would be a tremendous long-term benefit for the community. At the same time, the proposal would allow me to occupy the Duffy Pavilion and reopen a casual “Dock and Dine” style restaurant, continuing the tradition of waterfront dining in a smaller, more sustainable and achievable manner.
Throughout this entire process, I have remained committed to finding a solution that benefits the Town and its residents. I believe this swap achieves that goal, and I appreciate the consideration and support of community members and former DOCK & DINE patrons. We are a small family business, myself, my daughter, and my wife. We are excited about the possibility of finally bringing the Dock & Dine back to beautiful Saybrook Point.
I am truly grateful and blessed to have the support of this dedicated group of volunteers who share this vision. Their efforts have been instrumental in advancing this proposal, with the shared goal of enhancing the community through both a new public park and a revitalized dining option. I have also personally supported this effort with my time and resources to help inform residents and encourage participation in the upcoming referendum.
I respectfully urge residents to vote “yes” in support of the referendum. This proposed referendum represents a thoughtful and collaborative path forward (approved by the Board of Selectmen, and the Parks & Rec and Planning Commissions), one that transforms a long-undeveloped property into a vibrant public asset while allowing me to continue contributing to the community through a new, accessible waterfront dining option.
Jon Kodama
Dock & Dine
