Monday, February 24, 2014

Planning Department Newsletter

From the Planning Department weekly newsletter.  

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Planning and Zoning Commission
Wednesday, February 26, 2014, 7:00 PM, Council Chambers.
Click here for complete Agenda.
  • Request for a modification of a Special Exception approval at the Sanseer Mill on 282 Main Street Extension for adaptive historic reuse to allow an extended day program for Middletown elementary school children ages 5 to 12. Applicant/agent Edward E. Hackett/The Village SE85-17
  • Discussion regarding MX zones and allowed uses.
  • Review of By-Laws and Code of Ethics
  • River-Cog Report
  • Floating Zones
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REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION- Downtown Urban Design
The City of Middletown is accepting statements of qualifications from interested urban design/development firms to prepare a concept plan for two (2) blocks within the city's downtown area [Metro Square and parking area behind police station]. Qualification Statements, addressed to the Supervisor of Purchases, City of Middletown, c/o the Purchasing Office, Room 112, Municipal Building, Middletown, Connecticut 06457, will be accepted until FEBRUARY 28TH, 2014 at 3:00 pm
The City of Middletown, CT is interested in promoting the creation of a vibrant mixed use urban district within its downtown. The district will embody the principles of new urbanism, smart growth, sustainability and place making. It will be human scale, pedestrian oriented and to the extent feasible transit oriented.
The design fee will be negotiated on a Lump Sum basis and shall not be opened until after interview process. Firms responding to this request must have design and development experience and must have completed similar projects within the last 5 years within the State of Connecticut. In addition, firms should be of adequate size, and sufficiently staffed to perform the assignment described above.
Click Here to learn more.

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Economic Development Committee
Wednesday, February 19 2014, 7:00 PM, B-19
- Status of Economic Development Specialist position - 11 applicants being reviewed
- Tax and Business Incentive application - 140 Coe Avenue request for tax abatement
pursuant to Local Ordinance 272-9.
- Vinci Property River Road

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Small Business Grants Available
New business or expanding businesses by increasing their workforce may be eligible to receive a $2,000 grant. Business either need to be owned by low or moderate income residents or plan to hire low or moderate income residents. Low or moderate income is defined as a single person earning no more than $45,000 per year or a family of four earning no more than $65,000 per year. The grants can be used for all eligible business expenses on a reimbursement basis.
Click Here to learn more.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

So they RFQ for the Metro Square project is for firms who have done similar projects before in Connecticut!? There are great examples of similar projects all over the northeast and throughout the US!

IF you limit it to CT, so far that is two projects. Blue Back, and Storrs. So it limits the players who can submit

Sounds like this game is rigged already!
Calling the mayor's office now, and P&Z.

Im sick of this game where they tailor the project to only some firms and not others.

Anonymous said...

the City is facilitating this process for a property that is privately owned (if I am reading this correctly). I can understand what the rationale for that may be , but at what cost to the taxpayers? How is this working logistically and financially? Is the property owner going to contribute their fair share to this bill?