One of the tasks for the current study was a review of development projects, or “existing initiatives,” either proposed or underway, in order to evaluate and, where appropriate, integrate them into the Master Plan. Many of these existing initiatives have been discussed in the context of individual Proposed Development Areas.

This section is a brief recap of the relationship between the existing initiatives and the Master Plan organized by initiative, rather than by Proposed Development Area.

Harbor Brook Flood Control and Restoration Project
The Master Plan utilizes areas of The Meriden Green and Commercial Center as part of the flood control while preserving the use of some of the most important pieces of real estate in the city. Further downstream, the area adjacent to Factory H is also utilized for flood control while providing recreational space. This recreational space and the proposed greenway are integral to the campus and also provide a connection from the campus to the Meriden Green, the Downtown Arts District and the Commercial Center.

Chamberlain Highway / Kensington Avenue Corridor Study
The Master Plan does not show improvements in the Chamberlain Highway/Kensington Avenue Corridor area except to provide a more direct and aesthetic link between this area and the proposed Commercial Center. This link is called the “Commercial Business Link” and is described above.

The Master Plan provides for immediate attention to be given to the Commercial Center parcel, increasing activity and economic vitality in the Center. In the future, if additional land is needed for development, the Chamberlain Highway/Kensington Avenue Corridor study recommendations could be implemented. 

Re-Use Study – INSILCO Site (Factory H and Proposed Cooper Street MDP)
In the proposed MDP area (including the former VMMC, Factory H and the former medical office building), the Master Plan proposes a campus setting for educational and recreational uses (“The Cook Avenue Campus”) along with a modified version of the Cherry Street development. 

Within the Campus, Factory H would be removed and used as land area for flood control and the Harbor Brook Greenway. The former medical office building would be replaced with new campus buildings. Across Harbor Brook, a flexible space industrial/office development might house businesses looking to take advantage of a central location and proximity to a Higher Education Center.

Former VMMC
The above discussion in regard to the proposed MDP summarizes the overall vision for this area as part of an educational and recreational campus. 

The former VMMC facility could become a part of the Cook Avenue Campus described in the Master Plan. 

Lewis Avenue Corridor
The Master Plan supports the ongoing efforts to improve the Lewis Avenue corridor. The proposed streetscape improvements will provide an additional gateway to the Center and will improve the link between the Center, Mid State Medical Building and Westfield Shoppingtown mall. Over time, if property acquisition is realized, elements from the Lewis Avenue Link can be incorporated into the streetscape. This would provide a stronger bike and pedestrian connection/greenway that could ultimately tie into the future greenway along the proposed Commercial Business Link and the Harbor Brook greenway. 

Action Program for the Arts in Downtown Meriden
This program is critical to the Downtown Arts District envisioned by the Master Plan. This mixing of activities starts with the cultural resource of the theater, and creates a full small-urban environment by surrounding this resource with support activities, including places where people will take up residence. 

Hub Redevelopment
The Master Plan takes full advantage of the Hub site, which is encompassed by the Master Plan’s Commercial Center. This area will act as a catalyst for economic and community redevelopment for the city. The existing site, which was developed contrary to the basic planning principals critical to an urban downtown, will be redeveloped as part of the proposed Commercial Center in a way which respects the traditional urban form.

Additionally, flood control measures proposed on the site will diminish the undesirable flooding that has previously occurred on this property.

Byxbee/Beloff Block on Colony Street
The Master Plan provides for reuse of these historic structures. The plan is to renovate their facades to as close to their original character as is economically feasible. The proposed use for these facilities is small retail at the ground floor with housing above.

The Mills Memorial Apartments
As a result of the proposed relocation of State Street, flood control implementation and the proposed Commercial Center development, the Mills Memorial Apartments and the adjacent Parkside Apartments are proposed to be removed. 

The Master Plan proposes that these units be relocated throughout the city in coordination with the MHA’s relocation initiative.

City of Meriden Land Use Plan
The Master Plan is consistent with many objectives of the Land Use Plan. These consistencies have been referenced in other sections of the report and are evident in the Master Plan.

Information Technology Zone
The ITZ encompasses a large portion of the project area, making the benefits of this program accessible to a number of businesses and uses that become a part of the revitalized City Center. The office buildings at the Meriden Green, the Commercial Center with business activities incorporated, small office units above the retail at West Main and Colony Streets, and the higher education facilities at the former VMMC all have potential for taking advantage of this program.

Enterprise Zone
The Enterprise Zone covers a large portion of the project area with the exception of southerly portions of the Master Plan and southerly portions of the proposed MDP. 

Similar to the Information Technology Zone, the benefits of the Enterprise Zone will be accessible to a number of businesses and uses that become a part of the revitalized City Center.

Comprehensive Economic Development Study
This Master Plan is consistent with the basic proposals of the Economic Development Study. It compliments this study by clearly defining the physical parameters of the redevelopment of the City of Meriden, which will attract the economic resources outlined in the study.

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.