Master Plan For Riverfront Redevelopment Update

Middletown CT

09 September, 2021

7:43 AM

Description

CITY OF MIDDLETOWN ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF COOPER ROBERTSON, LANGAN, AND KARP STRATEGIES AS MASTER PLANNERS FOR RIVERFRONTREDEVELOPMENT MIDDLETOWN -- Mayor Ben Florsheim is excited to announce that the City of Middletownhas made a selection to move forward in the development of a Master Plan for riverfrontredevelopment. After reviewing 21 applications-- the largest level of interest in a city project inrecent history-- the City has elected to hire an outstanding team of partners led by world renowned architecture and urban design firm Cooper Robertson. The team will also includeLangan, one of the nation's leading engineering and environmental services firms, and KarpStrategies, a firm dedicated to community-driven economic development strategy."I am thrilled to be getting the riverfront master plan underway, and so excited for the work thiscommunity is going to do together with Cooper Robertson and team," Mayor Florsheim said."The level of talent, vision, and experience that they bring to the table matches the extraordinarypotential and opportunity that exists on our riverfront, and their strong focus on communityengagement will ensure that this will be a people-driven process leading to the outcome we allwant: a riverfront that has something for everyone."Mayor Florsheim added: "I would like to thank the selection committee for the time and effortthey put in to help ensure we made the right choice: Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell, Planningand Zoning Commission Chairman Stephen Devoto, Middlesex Chamber President LarryMcHugh, and longtime riverfront advocate Elaine Bank. All five of us are confident that CooperRobertson will serve our community well in this new partnership.""Cooper Robertson is honored to have been selected by the City to support this transformationalproject, and we are excited to begin working with the Middletown community to develop aninclusive vision for the riverfront," said Mike Aziz, Cooper Robertson's project director."Cooper Robertson understands the importance of putting the public and community at thecenter of the planning process, and we look forward to working together with residents and City staff to develop a riverfront plan that is sustainable in the broadest sense of the word –environmentally, socially and economically." Cooper Robertson managing partner DonaldClinton added: "This plan promises to be a powerful next step in realizing the potential of theriverfront to become a vibrant and accessible district, with major new open spaces and a broadmix of uses.""We look forward to working with Cooper Robertson on the riverfront master plan in the City ofMiddletown," said Larry McHugh, President of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce."I would like to thank Mayor Florsheim for doing a great job leading this process which beganwith over 20 interested outstanding companies. I support the Mayor's choice, and our chamberlooks forward to being a constructive partner as this important process of finally transformingour riverfront moves ahead." In the coming weeks, the City will announce the beginning of the public engagement initiative tointroduce the riverfront master planning team to the community at large, establish a timeframeand budget, and start the process of creating an action-oriented plan for the future ofMiddletown's riverfront. To learn more, please visit MiddletownCT.gov.