Middletowncloseto sealing deal with developer on housing, retail, public parking downtown

Aug. 9—The city's former multi-level parking arcade, located behind Middletown Superior Court on Court Street, was demolished because it posed hazards that arose from the nearly 50-year-old structure. The majority of the garage's lower level was closed to the public in December 2013.

The planning portion of the project has been held up for some time, Mayor Ben Florsheim said Wednesday.

"This has been a process that ... encountered some unexpected delays, but, unlike the canoe club, unlike the parks projects, these are things getting resolved through dialogue, compromise and negotiations between the city and developer," he said. "It's not infrastructure or labor challenges."

Other recent city projects pushed off by pandemic-related issues, such as supplies and lack of workers, as well as unforeseen costs, include the recently opened Veterans Memorial Pool and splash pad, and the city's portion of renovations to the old canoe club, soon to be occupied by Tate's restaurant, a combination casual seafood restaurant, brewery, ice cream shop and snack shack.

Florsheim hopes to see the proposed agreement sent to the Economic Development Committee by its September meeting. It then would go to the Common Council for =approval.

—

Toxic, invasive hammerhead worms on the rise in CT, expert says

—

Lamont calls on other states to help protect horseshoe crabs

The mayor declined to provide any more specifics on the project before it is considered by the EDC, a request made by Spectra. "It's a process we want to respect," he said.

The city is waiting on an environmental assessment of the site to be complete, said the mayor, who spoke from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency brownfields conference in Detroit, Mich. The environmental consultant who has worked with city officials on many remediation projects was also in attendance, Florsheim added.

"One of the key reasons we chose the developer is, there is a potential to get most of the public parking and parking to serve the development itself underground," the mayor said. "The environmental condition is going to be a factor in what can be accomplished."

When the evaluation is complete, Florsheim said, he doesn't foresee that it would affect the project's future. "Once this is moved to the council, we all want it to be very clear that the project is starting."

He attended a discussion at the conference Wednesday morning with mayors from all over the country who have taken on similar projects, Florsheim said. "They were talking about community input, they were talking about making sure we have all the funding partners at the table."

Acquiring the Attention to Detail property next door, off deKoven Drive, remains in discussions, but Florsheim said, it's not "integral" to the project. The auto customization shop wants to stay in Middletown, but it's having some difficulty finding a suitable place.

"If there's a win-win outcome, that's what we're looking for," the mayor added. What entity will manage the garage portion is yet to be determined.

The city also is in the process of determining the number of municipal parking spaces at the Village, which the mayor envisioned being on a separate level.

The public would also be able to enjoy the courtyard at the center of the development. "This needs to be a public space first and foremost, and feel that way to residents," Florsheim said. "Our goal is not to have this be a cloistered-off space in the downtown."

Adding more market-rate dwellings along the main corridor encourages walkability, the demand for which became evident when the Midd-Town Apartments were built on College and Broad streets about five years ago, the mayor added.

Ever since the high rise opened, the mayor said, there has been a waiting list of potential tenants. Those living there who have more than one vehicle have had to make sacrifices due to limited on-site parking, Florsheim said.

More housing would allow those who work and eventually live downtown to patronize the many restaurants and "thriving nightlife," Florsheim said. "If we want to see smaller-scale retail come back, having residents in the area supporting that on a 24-hour basis is going to be helpful."

Affordable housing is a big component of the Return to the Riverbend master plan, as is a more diversity of shopping. With more housing options, many considering living close to the action "just might be the factor that makes them pull the trigger," Florsheim said.

As part of the master plan, the city is intent on not having new apartments and condominiums supplanting existing neighborhoods, he added. The goal is to not "price or force people out by dramatically changing the character of one neighborhood by making improvements in another."