Shelton will hold an informational meeting on its plans to build a Riverwalk along Canal Street.
The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 7 p.m. on April 28 at City Hall at 54 Hill Street.
The proposed Riverwalk will commence on Canal Street at the northeasterly side of the Birmingham on the River condominiums located at 145 Canal Street bringing the walk to the riverbank.
The Riverwalk is proposed to be 12’ in width and continues in a northeasterly direction at the top of the riverbank approximately 2,500 lf until it reaches the “locks” at the northerly end of the project. The walk proceeds parallel to the “locks” terminating at the northerly end of Canal Street. The Riverwalk is proposed to be constructed in two phases. The first phase includes the portion of walk from the Birmingham approximately 910 lf to the northerly side of the proposed Radcliffe property line. A temporary access to Canal Street will be provided at the limit of Phase I until Phase II is complete. The second phase will commence upon completion of Phase I and continue from this point to the end of the project.
The design of this phase of the Shelton Riverwalk is based on the input of the community during community presentations and workshops. The main goal expressed by the community was to place the Riverwalk as close to the river as possible – to “connect” to the river. The design of the Riverwalk is predicated on providing the community with a passive and active recreation amenity that meets their goals and objectives and works within the project budget.
The design utilizes the existing site opportunities to view and take advantage of the multiple focal points located on the river; the Shelton/Derby Bridge Street bridge and the Derby Dam. The design creates multiple opportunities to view these focal points while providing a meandering walk through the corridor created by the riverbank and the new development to the west of the Riverwalk. Landscaping is utilized to frame and create views throughout the walk. The walk uses construction materials reminiscent of the past: steel edging, fencing, screening, period lamps and posts, and brick paving
Access to the Riverwalk for pedestrian use will be provided at several locations along the route. The initial access point allows for pedestrian entry and access from the southerly end of Canal Street adjacent to the Birmingham. The next access point is proposed in the vicinity of Wooster Street. This access will be located between two of the proposed buildings in the Canal Street redevelopment project connecting Canal Street to the Riverwalk. The termination of the walk in this phase will be located at the
locks in the northerly end of Canal Street.
The Federal Highway Administration will provide 80% of the construction cost with the City of Shelton providing 20 percent.
Anyone interested in obtaining further information or providing input may do so by contacting James E. Ryan, President, Shelton Economic Development Corporation, at (203) 924‑2521 or by email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
