Master Planning Begins For Stratford’s Former Army Engine Plant Site

STRATFORD, CT — Master planning for the revitalization of the 77-acre former Army Engine Plant property in Stratford has begun with the selection of Cooper Robertson, now Corgan, as the project’s master planner and Field Operations as the landscape architect.

Both companies are known for their “exemplary work in architecture, landscape architecture, design, and town planning,” according to a news release.

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“For the past two years, our priorities were three-fold: remediation of the site and tidal flats, abatement and demolition of buildings on the property, and elevating the property to bring it out of the flood plain and into FEMA, state, and local compliance,” said Jim Cabrera, one of the principals of Point Stratford Renewal (PSR), the project developer. “With this work roughly two-thirds complete, we can finally shift our gaze to the potential future use of this property, and there’s no one better equipped than Cooper Robertson and Field Operations to lead the planning process.”

Read more from the news release below:

“We are looking to Cooper Robertson to help us transform this significant waterfront site into a vibrant and economically sustainable development that honors its natural context, historical legacy, and that integrates seamlessly with the surrounding community,” said Peter Cabrera, a principal and Executive Vice President of PSR. “And Field Operations has designed some of the most recognized contemporary public projects, with extensive experience in open space, waterfront, and public amenities that will be a part of our plan.”

Cooper Robertson, now Corgan, based in New York, has shaped spaces that connect people and place as master planners for Battery Park City and Hudson Yards, as architects and planners of numerous cultural, educational, and waterfront projects in Middletown and Stamford, Conn. Field Operations’ notable work includes New York City’s High Line, Hudson River Park's Gansevoort Peninsula, and Brooklyn’s Domino Park.

The planning effort will also be supported by a multidisciplinary team of infrastructure, environmental, market, and economic advisors, including Langan, Moffatt & Nichol, and HR & A Advisors.

“We know Cooper Robertson and Field Operations, we admire their people, and we’ve seen what they can do,” said Ted Lane, PSR’s third principal partner. “They know how to use the power of innovative planning and design to strengthen communities and deliver integrated solutions that meet the needs of communities, and we’re thrilled to have them on board.”

“Point Stratford carries a remarkable legacy, and our goal is to honor that history in a contemporary waterfront district, where thoughtful design and a forward-looking development framework come together to create long-term community benefit,” said Mike Aziz, Principal, Global Lead, Planning and Urban Design, at Cooper Robertson.

“Stratford’s former Army Engine Plant represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reconnect with the Housatonic River waterfront and create a magnificent cultural destination,” said James Corner, Founding Partner & CEO of Field Operations. “With its remarkable natural assets, industrial legacy, and unique waterfront setting, the site will be transformed into a unique and vibrant community with significant new parkland, landscapes, and public spaces. We are thrilled to be working with the Town of Stratford, Point Stratford Renewal, and Cooper Robertson to help realize the extraordinary potential of this place.”

‘A community-integrated planning process’

PSR recently retained Dev Hawley as Managing Director, Real Estate Strategy and Development. Hawley is a development executive with experience leading complex planning and development projects with Walt Disney Imagineering, Goldman Sachs, and Yale University.

“Cooper Robertson and Field Operations will lead a planning effort that will explore a long-term vision for a resilient mixed-use waterfront district that better integrates the site with Stratford and creates new opportunities for economic development, public access, employment, recreation, and community life,” said Hawley, who added that the team will be partnering with Mayor David Chess and Stratford’s Town Council, economic development, and land-use officials, and engaging the community to help inform our vision, goals, and direction.

“This will be a thorough, community-integrated planning process that will produce a flexible framework capable of adapting to evolving market conditions and community priorities as a long-term asset for the people of Stratford, this region, and Connecticut.” The planning process will evaluate multiple development scenarios and no final development plan has been determined.

Public survey in the works; town meeting slated for June 29

The Point Stratford Renewal team plans to release a survey to weigh public sentiment and invite comments before the end of May, and hold a town-wide public meeting on Monday, June 29, at 6:00 p.m. at Stratford High School.

The event, the first of three town-wide meetings planned between now and the end of the year, will allow the project team to reach out to Stratford organizations and individuals to gather feedback on priorities, opportunities, and long-term aspirations for the site. Information on the survey and the planning and outreach process will be posted and updated regularly at www.pointstratford.com.

Property cleanup achieves key milestones

Jim Cabrera said that the redevelopment of this site represents one of the largest waterfront brownfield revitalization efforts currently underway in Connecticut, and that several major remediation and demolition milestones have been reached in the demolition and cleanup of the property, which is approximately two years through its three-year planned process.

The 20-acre parcel of land south of Sniffens Lane has been fully remediated and raised upward out of the flood plain, and the remediation of the tidal flats is expected to be complete by the end of June.

“Revitalizing a site like this has to be done right—and it is—because of the partnership with several government agencies and the highly skilled, experienced team we assembled,” Cabrera said. “Cooper Robertson and Field Operations are great additions to this ‘A-team.’”