Executive Summary

The City of Meriden is located in the center of Connecticut. A leading producer of silverware during the industrial revolution, Meriden thrived before changes in economic climate brought vacancy and decay to its downtown area. Today, Meriden is poised to thrive once again. 

Meriden has many positive attributes, including historic architecture, good housing stock in quality neighborhoods, a respected daily newspaper, a successful regional mall, a new modern hospital, perceptive business and community leaders, and a strong sense of community. Recent streetscape improvements along West Main Street tie together attractions like the Dequaine Museum, Castle Craig Players, and the new YMCA facility with various civic and institutional uses. 

Yet several constraints, some quite obvious and others less so, restrict Meriden from realizing its full potential. Highway access, although physically close, seems miles away. The pedestrian environment throughout most of the city is poor. In the greater downtown area, there are vacant buildings, poorly maintained lots, obsolete housing developments, and businesses that risk being inundated by floodwaters every few years. 

The Meriden Economic Resources Group (MERG), the City of Meriden and other local economic development organizations believe that there is an opportunity to redevelop the greater downtown, or “City Center” of Meriden; to identify and eliminate the constraints and create opportunity for real, long-term economic growth.

This report is the product of a preliminary investigation of existing conditions and conceptual planning for the redevelopment of Meriden City Center. The result is the Master Plan.

The material on this page is reproduced from "Meriden City Center Initiative - A Comprehensive Plan for Revitalization" prepared by BL Companies, released 07/24/2002. All rights reserved.