Riverfront Makeover Goes Full Speed Ahead
The City of Middletown, Connecticut sought to revitalize its riverfront with a new community boathouse and event facility that would anchor its redevelopment efforts along the scenic Connecticut River. Aimed at transforming the riverfront into an entertainment and recreational destination, the site previously was home to bulk storage petroleum facilities.
New Facility Boosts Rowing Programs
During an 18-month riverfront study, community members expressed significant interest in building a new rowing facility that would serve current and future rowing programs, as well as provide room for expansion. Middletown’s riverfront has long been a popular site for rowing programs, with various programs currently operating out of two existing boathouses in the area slated for the new construction.
Riverfront Revitalization & Spectacular Views
Tighe & Bond, in conjunction with Architectural Resources Cambridge, is in the process of providing environmental remediation and engineering services for the design of a new community boathouse facility on the banks of the Connecticut River.
The facility will house rowing facilities, and associated equipment storage and locker rooms, for three local high schools, Wesleyan University, and community rowing groups. The boathouse includes a rowing tank for training, offices, a 9,500 square foot upper level event space able to accommodate 300 people, and river overview decks.
This shoreline site will be reworked into a stable, aesthetically pleasing and functional riverfront with spectacular views. The docks also will be replaced and improved to allow for premiere rowing regattas.
Funding
Funding included a $2.6 million grant from Department of Community and Economic Development for environmental assessment, remediation, and planning for this new boathouse project.
Services Snapshot
Our work includes site remediation and waterfront engineering services, as well as building engineering (mechanical and electrical) for the new boathouse facility.
