Proposal deadline for Navy prison arrives

KITTERY – The deadline for contractors, developers and real estate companies to submit proposals for reusing the shuttered Portsmouth Naval Shipyard prison was Thursday, but the Navy declined to say how many proposals were received.

A team will evaluate the proposals with a goal of singling out one developer for negotiations. If all goes well, the Navy hopes to have a contract signed next spring.

The Navy says it’s open to a variety of ideas for the property, including condos, office space, light industry or even another prison. Shipyard spokeswoman Danna Eddy said federal rules prohibited the Navy from saying how many proposals were received.

The Navy tried once before to redevelop the prison and signed a lease with New Hampshire developer Joseph Sawtelle to turn it into premium office space. But that project fell through when Sawtelle died in 2000.