Norwich's Howard T. Brown Park docks won't be replaced by summer. Here's what we know.

Matt Grahn, The Bulletin
·3 min read

NORWICH — Norwich is interested in maintaining the docks at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park, but it’ll cost the city a little more to do so.

The city of Norwich is expected to make another 20% contribution to repairing the docks at the park as a part of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, scheduled to be approved June 6.

While the original repairs focused on compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and replacing an unsafe platform, additional money will focus on repairing the pilings that have been deteriorating, after being underwater for almost 30 years.

“When we started this grant about four years ago, we said the pilings are in good shape,” Harbor Management Commission Chairman Tucker Braddock said in December. “The pilings now have a problem.”

Vegetation growing out of rotted wood on a floating dock Monday at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park in downtown Norwich. Repairs are planned in the 2022-2023 budget with 20% city and 80% state funding.
Vegetation growing out of rotted wood on a floating dock Monday at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park in downtown Norwich. Repairs are planned in the 2022-2023 budget with 20% city and 80% state funding.

The docks are part of a federal turning basin, which means the water is deep and wide enough for cargo ships to turn around. The area is also popular for fishing striped bass and bluefish in the Thames River.

Replacement of pilings is needed because the merging of fresh and salt water from the east branch of the Yantic River and the Shetucket River causes the pilings to erode.

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“It was recommended, and we’re going to follow the recommendation, that we replace all 14 pilings,” Braddock said, earlier this month.

The commission could have gotten the pilings sleeved instead of replaced. But that would only last three to five years.

Ash Burnham, left, and Meikyle Murray, both of Norwich, relax on a floating dock Monday at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park in downtown Norwich. Repairs are planned in the 2022-2023 budget with 20% city and 80% state funding.
Ash Burnham, left, and Meikyle Murray, both of Norwich, relax on a floating dock Monday at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park in downtown Norwich. Repairs are planned in the 2022-2023 budget with 20% city and 80% state funding.

“We don’t see much point in just sleeving them, with brand new docks that are going to be good for 28, 29 years,” Braddock said.

As far as Americans with Disabilities Act compliance is concerned, Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom said handrails will be added, among other improvements.

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“We’ll be improving the public access for everyone with this project,” Nystrom said.

Connecticut will pay for 80% of the total work, through the Connecticut Port Authority’s Small Harbor Improvement Projects Program grant. Braddock said the funding request still has to go through state bonding, and he wants to secure the city’s share before that.

Metal repairs needed by a piling on a floating dock Monday at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park in downtown Norwich. Repairs are planned in the 2022-2023 budget with 20% city and 80% state funding.
Metal repairs needed by a piling on a floating dock Monday at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park in downtown Norwich. Repairs are planned in the 2022-2023 budget with 20% city and 80% state funding.

The total cost of both parts of the project is expected to be $1 million.

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Braddock said the project still has to go out to bid, so he isn’t expecting anything to be fixed for this summer. In the meantime, Braddock said the docks are safe for everyday use, though the city will block off the dock entrance during Norwich’s Fourth of July fireworks.

“We don’t want 200 people on the docks during the fireworks,” he said. “We just feel like there could be a problem.”

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: State, ARPA funds to benefit Howard T. Brown Park dock repair