From an example of annual flooding to some degree or another, posted via public youtube channel by Vishal Desai, is a video shot in 2011 when there was major flooding of Harbor Park.
The committee allowed for only limited questions to Project for Public Spaces at this time regarding timing of the next workshops. The issue of river hydrology was not revisited at the subsequent meetings. Also not included in PPS scope would be speaking with the Department of Transportation to deal with the Route 9 On/off ramp at Exit / On ramp 17 or lights on the highway.
Councilman and Riverfront Task force member Joe Bibisi suggested a desire on behalf of citizens for a public boat launch where 10 to 20 ft boats could be launched via boat trailer. He reminded the group of the large turning and parking area needed for such a launch and asked that it be included in plans. Citizen Kevin Kelly, a retired Connecticut Valley Hospital employee brought to light the challenges of placing pedestrian and tourist activities so close to the Rushford Treatment Center and CVH grounds as a potential conflict of uses regarding for example patient privacy and tourist marketability. Kelly implored the group to take those facilities into consideration. Kelly used Brown Stone Exploration Park in Portland CT as a near by example of the reuse of a site with water as it's feature, PPS took note of this and said they would consider a visit Brownstone. Citizen William Wilson suggested more seating and of different varieties be looked at as an addition to Harbor Park.
. Mayor Dan Drew spoke of his desire to light the Arrigoni Bridge with LED lights, according to him, a potential cost of at minimum $750,000 as a tourist attraction and revenue generator.
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Click to enlarge the map of the 7 sites explored at the workshop |
No time frame was put in place for suggested projects, however, PPS stated a festival could be planned for as early as this spring with a willing local sponsor based on their experience with other riverfront's planning committees.
The City Planning Department video taped both workshops and will be creating a public access / youtube video so those that could not attend can see the PPS comments and each groups presentations.
The facebook page for Riverfront Middletown: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Riverfront-Middletown-Connecticut/456448574448563
Tell us what you think of the presentation & plans for the riverfront in the comments below!
PEOPLE wake up! Ridiculous ideas. ALL the examples given were from Europe or California! these granola folks want the riverfront to be a communal paradise but who is footing the bill? And how can they ignore tides & floods?? PLEASE don't raise my taxes for a beer fest or freakin giant duck!!!
ReplyDeleteI was in the workshop on Saturday morning and one thing that I think is a cheap and easy thing to do is to get more seating down at Harbor Park. That would make it more attractive for more folks to come down to the river.
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