City approves preliminary downtown streetscape plan

Artist concept of streetscape upgrades in downtown Milford

At a recent meeting, the Milford City Council approved a streetscape concept plan created by KCI Technologies for Southwest Front Streeet, North Washington Street, Park Place and Denny Row. The plan is part of the Downtown Master Plan as well as the five year Capital Improvement Plan.

“City council ultimately reviewed the final concept plans and approved them in June of 23 with a slight modification as council wanted to keep Southwest Front Street two way as opposed to one way,” City Planner Rob Pierce said.  “We have been working with KCI on development of construction plans and are at 30% the design phase at this time. The next step would be preparation of the design plans which would be reviewed by council before finalizing construction documents.”

According to Pierce, the plan includes landscaping, trees added to two parking lots on Southwest Front and Park Avenue, rearranging entrances to the Milford Senior Center and lighting. There was also a proposal to add a three-way stop at the intersection of Park Avenue and North Washington Street due to visibility issues around the Davis, Bowen & Friedel building.

Pierce stated that his office had discussed the senior center changes with their staff and president before presenting the information to council. Councilman Dan Marabello asked if there was a plan to put dumpsters in the parking lot behind the Riverfront Theatre.

“They were proposing to put a trash enclosure on the west side of the parking lot, which was shown in the concept plan as well,” Pierce said. “There will be coordination of trying to consolidate some of the services that are used by businesses in that area to see if they are able to do that as a dumpster as opposed to individual containers.”

Marabello pointed out that the dumpsters would need periodic cleaning as many people used that parking lot for shows at the theatre or to get to local restaurants. Pierce stated that there was already a dumpster in the area that was used by La Hacienda, but that the city would try to work with the businesses for a combined-use dumpster rather than individual collection cans.

Council approved moving forward with the plans presented. The streetscape plans can be viewed in the City Council Board Packet for October 14 by scrolling to page 92.