Image courtesy of Mystic Seaport Museum.

Looking to capitalize on its wedding venue business, expand its display of small watercraft and boost ocean research, the Mystic Seaport Museum is planning three major construction projects.

The three projects include construction of an underwater research and education center in partnership with the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration (GFOE), the expansion of public display of its collection of 450 watercraft and construction of a restaurant and boutique hotel.

The Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration is a nonprofit organization whose headquarters is currently on the Mystic Seaport Museum campus. GFOE designs, builds and operates some of the most advanced underwater technologies used for scientific exploration. GFOE proposes to create an underwater research and education center on land to be leased from the museum. Phase one of this facility will house a work area for the research and development of underwater technologies. In addition, GFOE will provide an interactive, hands-on displays in the museum’s Clift Block building, which will demonstrate to museum visitors and school groups some of the cutting-edge technologies that GFOE uses in ocean exploration. Phase two will include a pool for testing underwater robots and other technologies, while providing a space for hands-on activities for students and the public.

The new watercraft exhibit space will be located in the museum’s Collections Research Center. Presently, 460 historic vessels are stored in the center but public access is limited to occasional viewing events, scheduled tours and research visits by appointment. The plan calls for the conversion of 38,000 square feet of warehouse storage to exhibit space suitable for the display of boats in the collection. This permanent exhibit will feature a rotating selection of watercraft and be open to Museum visitors on a daily basis.

The proposed restaurant and hotel is being developed in partnership with Greenwich Hospitality Group and would be built on the site of Latitude 41° Restaurant & Tavern. Plans call for the demolition of Latitude 41° and the construction of a 20-25 room hotel with a restaurant and event space. The new building will be tailored as a venue for weddings, corporate meetings and group events in the Mystic area and the restaurant will provide a fine-dining destination for Museum visitors and the public. The building will be set farther back on the property from Route 27.

“We are excited to announce these three strategic initiatives, which will add significantly to the visitor experience of the Museum, support and share the important work of the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration, and provide new sources of revenue to help sustain museum operations,” Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport Museum, said in a statement.

The museum has submitted an amendment to its master plan to the town of Stontinton’s Planning and Zoning Commission to address the proposed projects