Business View Civil & Municipal | Volume 2, Issue 11

40 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 2, ISSUE 11 with more on the horizon once the Middletown Riverfront Redevelopment is underway. Mayor Florsheim and McHugh are working hard to make this this project a reality, intending to reopen the waterfront. Middletown was founded there and settled as a port city. The indigenous people settled at the bank of the river, calling the area ‘Mattabeseck,’ meaning, ‘people at the bend of the river’. In those days, it was the state’s wealthiest town, profiting from port-driven economics. The Mayor recounts, “Over time, the economy depended less on the port and Middletown cut itself off from the Connecticut River. What started as a local road became Interstate 91 and a water treatment plant was built on the riverbank. These physical obstacles weren’t created to keep people away; I think there wasn’t a perceived need for the river anymore if it wasn’t going to be a port. But we’re at a turning point right now as we figure out what will be next. The riverfront project is part of all that.” for residents of all income levels. Some of the downtown shops, such as the bike store, Pedal Power, have even bought the historic buildings they’re in and developed apartments on the second floor, renting them out. Mayor Florsheim wants to avoid any housing strategy that “prices out residents.” Attracting new people is important but meeting the needs of existing citizens is essential. He acknowledges, “Since the pandemic, the demand for single family homes has shot back up because it’s a very hot real estate market. There’s also a sharp increase for apartments and rental housing. The other day I was on a tour with a local entrepreneur. He bought the former Middletown Roller Skating Rink behind Main Street and he’s renovating it into a community space and a business incubator with workforce housing. He’ll be creating apartments in there, but in a mindful way that matches our community values.” Apartment developments are already being built, At Your Service Since 1974 Our communities count onus. We’re fromhere. Family owned and operated since1974, we have always cared about the communities we serve—because we live, work, and play here, just like you. Inspired by future generations, we continue to adapt and innovate— embracing new technologies to meet the ever-evolving recycling landscape. Our innovations include building the largest state-of-the-art recycling facility in the country, powering our buildings with solar energy, and fueling our trucks with all-American natural gas. We’re committed to our communities and the planet.