Master Plan For Riverfront Redevelopment Update

CITY OF MIDDLETOWN ANNOUNCES SELECTION OF COOPER ROBERTSON,

LANGAN, AND KARP STRATEGIES AS MASTER PLANNERS FOR RIVERFRONT
REDEVELOPMENT

MIDDLETOWN -- Mayor Ben Florsheim is excited to announce that the City of Middletown
has made a selection to move forward in the development of a Master Plan for riverfront
redevelopment. After reviewing 21 applications-- the largest level of interest in a city project in
recent history-- the City has elected to hire an outstanding team of partners led by world renowned architecture and urban design firm Cooper Robertson. The team will also include
Langan, one of the nation’s leading engineering and environmental services firms, and Karp
Strategies, a firm dedicated to community-driven economic development strategy.

“I am thrilled to be getting the riverfront master plan underway, and so excited for the work this
community is going to do together with Cooper Robertson and team,” Mayor Florsheim said.
“The level of talent, vision, and experience that they bring to the table matches the extraordinary
potential and opportunity that exists on our riverfront, and their strong focus on community
engagement will ensure that this will be a people-driven process leading to the outcome we all
want: a riverfront that has something for everyone.”

Mayor Florsheim added: “I would like to thank the selection committee for the time and effort
they put in to help ensure we made the right choice: Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell, Planning
and Zoning Commission Chairman Stephen Devoto, Middlesex Chamber President Larry
McHugh, and longtime riverfront advocate Elaine Bank. All five of us are confident that Cooper
Robertson will serve our community well in this new partnership.”

“Cooper Robertson is honored to have been selected by the City to support this transformational
project, and we are excited to begin working with the Middletown community to develop an
inclusive vision for the riverfront,” said Mike Aziz, Cooper Robertson’s project director.
“Cooper Robertson understands the importance of putting the public and community at the
center of the planning process, and we look forward to working together with residents and City
staff to develop a riverfront plan that is sustainable in the broadest sense of the word –
environmentally, socially and economically.” Cooper Robertson managing partner Donald
Clinton added: “This plan promises to be a powerful next step in realizing the potential of the
riverfront to become a vibrant and accessible district, with major new open spaces and a broad
mix of uses.”

“We look forward to working with Cooper Robertson on the riverfront master plan in the City of
Middletown,” said Larry McHugh, President of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce.
“I would like to thank Mayor Florsheim for doing a great job leading this process which began
with over 20 interested outstanding companies. I support the Mayor’s choice, and our chamber
looks forward to being a constructive partner as this important process of finally transforming
our riverfront moves ahead.”

In the coming weeks, the City will announce the beginning of the public engagement initiative to
introduce the riverfront master planning team to the community at large, establish a timeframe
and budget, and start the process of creating an action-oriented plan for the future of
Middletown’s riverfront. To learn more, please visit MiddletownCT.gov.