NORTH STONINGTON, Conn. (AP) – Another film production center is on the drawing boards in eastern Connecticut as backers hope to capitalize on the region’s proximity to New York and Boston.

Richard Schulenberg, director of performing arts at North Stonington Studios LLP, released details Saturday on the group’s plan to build film production studios, theaters, a performing arts school and retail establishments on 495 acres near Route 49 and Interstate 95 in North Stonington.

“Finding a location that’s halfway between Boston and New York seems an ideal place to pick up Broadway shows on out-of-town tryouts,” he said.

North Stonington also is attractive because of “the sheer number of people within a drivable range for day trips or saying, Let’s go up there for a weekend,”‘ he said.

The group has signed a purchase option with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the current owner. The Planning and Zoning Commission will consider its application for a zoning amendment to allow those facilities on Dec. 8.

Schulenberg said the proposal does not include plans for a theme park and that the Utopia Studios proposal for a theme park at the Norwich Hospital property in Preston would not be a competitor except the Utopia plan also includes film studios.

“We’re not talking about roller coasters and fun rides and a carnie-type operation,” he said. “We’re really talking about a multimedia complex that will be aimed in entertainment, arts and science.”

The plan, which has been prepared for two years, includes construction of film and television production studios that would be rented to producers such as local and independent producers and others who work for major studios, Schulenberg said.

An academy of the arts, with student housing, would be linked to the studios. Students would have access to film industry experts, equipment and hands-on experience opportunities, Schulenberg said.

North Stonington Studios LLP would operate the academy privately and would not seek tax-exempt status.

A center for the performing arts would include three theaters that combined would seat a total of 2,700 people.

The plan also proposes hotels and gourmet restaurants, and the complex would include tours and exhibits combining education and entertainment.

First Selectman Nicholas H. Mullane II said the North Stonington Studios LLP plan would have a minimum impact on town traffic and resources unlike previous large-scale proposals in North Stonington, such as a Six Flags theme park and a 140,000-seat racetrack that were widely opposed.

“North Stonington is and always has been very concerned about those type of developments that have an extreme amount of traffic and a large amount of transient-type people. This does not appear to be that type,” he said. “The maximum attendance is on a very small level,” he said.

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Information from: The Day, http://www.theday.com

AP-ES-10-30-05 1206EST