Community Renaissance: Additional Projects

In addition to the towns that received Cultural Planning Grants, these communities also have ideas for cultural planning projects. The Trust continues to work with several of them.

Barkhamsted: The picturesque village of Riverton has suffered since the Hitchcock Chair Factory closed in 2006. The town hopes to revitalize Riverton based on the twin themes of Wilderness (outdoor activities) and Wellness (arts, fitness, relaxation, spas, dining, entertainment, and socializing).

Bridgeport: The former Black Rock Bank and Trust (1929) dominates a major intersection in the Black Rock National Register district. Hoping that the vacant bank can become the center of a larger Black Rock Arts and Entertainment District, the City is working to identify and work with a developer to reuse the building as an arts center, perhaps with a restaurant and artists’ lofts.

Canaan: The Falls Village Children’s Theater is restoring the village’s former Methodist church (part of a National Register district) as a community and cultural center. The town of Canaan wants to integrate the community center into the fabric of the village, to serve as a gathering place for area residents as well as a venue for performances and presentations.

East Hartford: Despite recent accomplishments on Main Street, East Hartford’s mayor Melody Currey says “the major obstacle to continued investment is the traffic issue and appropriate infill development to support a true, old-time ‘Main Street’ feel to this area.” The town is pursuing opportunities to address preservation of historic structures, plan well-conceived infill development, inventory cultural assets, and find ways to accommodate both foot and vehicular traffic.

Manchester: Several years ago, community action saved the former Cheney Trade School, located in the Cheney Brothers National Historic Landmark district, from demolition. Now, the town is pursuing plans to reuse the building for arts and cultural organizations and activities, such as studios, galleries, and performance, rehearsal or instructional space.

New Haven: Westville serves as a gateway to New Haven from the west, noted for its shops and restaurants and its strong community identity. The city of New Haven, in coordination with Westville Village Renaissance Alliance, hopes to create a comprehensive plan for the district, including appropriate zoning, transportation planning, streetscape and public space design guidelines, and improved connections to nearby parks.

Norfolk: The rehabilitation of Infinity Hall, an historic music hall and commercial block, has transformed Norfolk’s self-image. The town wants to build on this success to encourage more culturally-based economic development. A study will evaluate the village’s physical characteristics and needs and offer recommendations for creative integration of public and private assets and encouraging appropriate uses for historic structures.

Plainville and Southington: The construction of a continuous trail along the Farmington Canal (which is listed on the National Register) creates an opportunity to showcase the area’s history, but so far the effort has concentrated on recreation. The Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency wants to inventory historic and cultural assets on or near the trail in Plainville and Southington and forge connections between these assets and the trail.

Putnam: As the town’s oldest, largest, and most diverse mill complex, Cargill Mills is possibly the most important industrial site in Putnam. The town has already designated the mill as part of its Industrial Heritage Overlay District and wants to further support the mill’s redevelopment with a plan to integrate it with the downtown.

Rocky Hill, once a shipbuilding center and river port, wants to strengthen its historic connection to the Connecticut River. The town is looking to create a plan to reuse the “Foundry property,” an abandoned industrial facility on the riverfront, and make streetscape improvements along Glastonbury Avenue, which connects the property to the town center.

Torrington: To attract tenants for vacant storefronts, the city hopes to redevelop an historic downtown property as an artists’ co-op and gallery and establish a low-interest revolving loan fund, funded by a grant and by five local banks, to help fund renovations or defray rent deficits.

Windham: The town of Windham hopes to hire facilitators and other experts to help address questions confronting attempts to revitalize Willimantic’s Main Street. Topics include the viability of several abandoned historic buildings, balancing the need for parking with encouraging pedestrians, supporting private businesses, and identifying desirable types of development.