Monday's meeting of the Economic Development Committee will consider shovel ready projects for Middletown. This discussion occurs as the state is poised to receive nearly $3 billion through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed by President Obama on February 17th. On Friday, governor Rell said that these funds will "strengthen the state's economy, create dependable jobs, and invest in efforts that will help the state grow and prosper."
In their meeting materials, EDC members received a copy of Mayor Giuliano's December 29th letter to Governor Rell, with its list of shovel ready projects in Middletown. However, as reported in The Eye, this is not the only list of projects for stimulus dollars, the U.S. Conference of Mayors also has a list of Middletown projects. On Friday, Governor Rell announced a state website that would track the projects throughout the state that are being considered for stimulus package dollars. The three lists contain only two items in common, the reconstruction of the Melilli Plaza parking lot (between the central part of Main Street and the River), and the North End Homeowners Project, which Giuliano also described as including a “Health Renewal” component.
Finally, the Middletown Press reported (February 17th) that $2.2 million of stimulus package dollars would be used for reconstruction and drainage improvements to the intersection of Randolph and Old Saybook Roads. This project was submitted by the Midstate Regional Planning Agency, which works with the state Department of Transportation and municpalities.
In an interview in February, Giuliano told The Middletown Eye that it was not clear how specific projects would be chosen for funding by the stimulus package, "I don't think anyone really knows how this thing's going to work." He also expressed his frustration that the Federal dollars would be filtered through State agencies instead of going directly to munipalities, “If it goes through them, they're going to skim all kinds of administrative fees off the top."
In the same interview with the Middletown Eye, I asked Mayor Giuliano about the process by which the various lists had been assembled. He told me that his list had resulted from
In an interview in February, Giuliano told The Middletown Eye that it was not clear how specific projects would be chosen for funding by the stimulus package, "I don't think anyone really knows how this thing's going to work." He also expressed his frustration that the Federal dollars would be filtered through State agencies instead of going directly to munipalities, “If it goes through them, they're going to skim all kinds of administrative fees off the top."
In the same interview with the Middletown Eye, I asked Mayor Giuliano about the process by which the various lists had been assembled. He told me that his list had resulted from
suggestions by department directors at City Hall. He did not seem sure how the list from the Conference of Mayors was prepared, but it was submitted by the City’s lobbyist in Washington. He said that all of the projects on that list had been discussed in Middletown at various points in the past few years.
The North End Homeowners and Health Renewal Project is by far the most expensive project on Rell’s list, at $10 million. The next most expensive project on this list, at $5.6 million, is described as a renovation of Middlesex Hospital; this project did not appear on either of the other two lists.
The North End Homeowners and Health Renewal Project is by far the most expensive project on Rell’s list, at $10 million. The next most expensive project on this list, at $5.6 million, is described as a renovation of Middlesex Hospital; this project did not appear on either of the other two lists.
At its meeting on Monday, the Economic Development Committee will also hear details of a
proposal by Mark Masselli to expand the Community Health Center onto land currently owned by the City. Detailed designs have been made for a new facility on the corner of Grand and Main Street, in the space currently used as a CHC parking lot, adjacent to Eli Cannon’s Tap Room. The EDC must approve the sale of any city-owned land.
On Wednesday, the Preservation and Design Review Board will hold a hearing on the Community Health Center's proposal. The Planning and zoning department has over a dozen different documents relating to the CHC proposal available on its website.
The MHC is a wonderful citizen of Middletown. But locating it on a corner block of Main Street may not be appropriate. Is it the only feasible place for expansion on account of incentives of some kind? The plans look very good . Just not so sure about the location. Did I miss something? Is there retail planned for the street level?
ReplyDeleteThere is a project that has been discussed by every Middletown administration for the passed 30 years but has not gone anywhere. A senior center. This project has now growm to a Community/Senior center and Military Museum to be built at Veteran's Park. The project would also develop the current park with new entrances, parkink, walking trails, playscapes pool and picnic areas. This is a community enhancement project to benefit all the residents of Middletown, but there is no mention of it in the Middletown list of programs.
ReplyDeletewhy not locate it along Newfield Street?
ReplyDeleteAnything would be better there than the current line-up of deserted car dealerships
Locating MHC in downtown makes sense for the customers. My guess is that many customers do not have a car and arrive by foot, public transit or bike. To locate MHC out on Newfield Street would hardly make it walkable or bikable for the majority, and while transit can get you there, it would be much more of a hassle than a downtown location.
ReplyDeleteI understand teh soup kitchen will be on the first floor. Now the corner of Grand and Main Street will become derlict central. What a fine addition to Main Street. The health center is one thing but teh soup kitchen is outrageous! We need to clean up Main Street!
ReplyDeleteDear @11:12 pm:
ReplyDeleteActually the Soup Kitchen will be moving OFF Main Street -- away from the building they are in right now. The Middletown Press just reported it wrong.