Business & Tech

Connecticut Main Street Center Downtown Living Proposal Seeks Public Input

The project is part of the Come Home to Downtown program supported by the city of Middletown, Downtown Business District, the Connecticut Main Street Center and others.

The city's downtown row building built in 1880 that formerly housed Amato Toy & Hobby is being used as a model for the feasibility of more market-rate Main Street living spaces anchored by businesses at street level.

Tonight, citizens are encouraged to speak to city leaders and Main Street building owners about a proposal to should promote living in downtown Middletown — part of the Come Home to Downtown program supported by the city, Downtown Business District, the Connecticut Main Street Center and others.

For the past few months, a team of architects and urban planners have been studying the feasibility of renovating upper floor apartments at the old Amato's building at 418-424 Main Street. Since 2000, Vinnie's Jump & Jive has occupied the north side of the building and an empty storefront (formerly the 99¢ Plus store and during Middnight on Main events, Matt's Lab, Phun With Physics, Mercy Tech Tigers) sits on the south side ground floor.  

Tonight, the team will present its findings, including apartment designs and pricing, for an open community discussion on the pros and cons of supporting this kind of development.  

The old Amato's building, owned by the Amato family, is being used as a model to assess the practicality and cost of a project like this, and to troubleshoot the issues of renovating downtown historical properties for residential development.  

The study also looks at whether Middletown has enough appeal to justify more downtown apartment living through an assessment of the quality of life, infrastructure and other amenities that are important to potential new urban residents.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. at the Community Health Center, 675 Main Street, in the first-floor community room. All are invited.


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