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A "New Town"
TOD in Connecticut: The Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill
Redevelopment Project
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source: GLDC
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A Connecticut wire mill that
went bankrupt after 180 years of operation has
found new life thanks to Smart Growth and TOD.
Established in 1818 in Georgetown, CT (part of
the town of Redding), the Gilbert & Bennett
Manufacturing Company filed for bankruptcy protection
in 1998 after its once prosperous business of
manufacturing wire industrial products fell victim
to deindustrialization. In 2002, Redding found
a partner, Georgetown
Land Development Company (GLDC), to restore
and revitalize the 55-acre site centered around
a new Georgetown train station on the Metro North
rail line. Duany,
Plater-Zyberk was hired to design and implement
the master plan, and active participation in the
planning process was solicited from the community
through a series of charrettes. The engagement
of local interests brought about consensus for
an ambitious "mixed and open community to
celebrate the future."
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GLDC's owner, Stephen Soler, said the
creation of the new Georgetown will be guided by the
principles of sustainable, "green" development.
The village will include:
- a pedestrian-friendly environment that collects
traffic rather than creating it, featuring a village
center, open public spaces and easy access to public
transportation
- a return of the Georgetown train station on the
Metro North line with access to New York City
- a diverse community with single-family houses,
townhouses, affordable senior housing, artist-style
lofts and affordable artist work/live lofts
- a renovation of historically significant structures
- a hydroelectric dam and power plant using the
existing infrastructure for power
- functional green technology, including photovoltaics
and green roofs
In addition, Georgetown will offer:
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restaurants that are
appropriate to the community
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a health facility that
features a 50-meter state-of-the-art pool
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a multi-purpose performing
arts center, in acknowledgement of the active
local arts community
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a strategically placed
public safety facility
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a wide assortment of
quality retailers, selected to reflect the
needs of
local residents and complement the character
of the village
"In short," says
Soler, "it's the art of the possible. We've
designed the kind of place where people will
love to live, work and have fun."
This comprehensive planning
effort has not gone unnoticed. In November 2005,
the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
presented the prestigious National Award for
Smart Growth Achievement to the town of Redding,
CT for the Georgetown project. |
source: GLDC
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And, as evidence of this successful public-private
partnership, Redding received a $600,000 federal
Small Cities grant in February 2006 through
the Connecticut Department of Economic Development
to demolish and clean up three buildings on
the Gilbert and Bennett site.
Groundbreaking is set for
spring 2006 with an estimated completion date
in 2009.
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PenTrans: Advocates
for TOD in Pennsylvania
A number of organizations in Pennsylvania
have become involved in the support and application
of TOD throughout the Keystone State. PenTrans
(Pennsylvanians for Transportation Solutions) is
a three-year-old advocacy group that promotes adequate
dedicated funding for public transportation and other
mobility improvements in Pennsylvania. The group's mission
is to generate public and private support for balanced,
multimodal transportation and mobility alternatives
that improve quality of life. PenTrans advises state
and federal lawmakers to "develop more economically
vibrant, environmentally sustainable communities where
all people can move freely and safely to work, to shop
and to all the social, cultural, educational and recreational
activities of daily living."
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In March 2006, PenTrans held
a symposium to highlight the importance of transit-oriented
development in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Guests included planner John Beckman of Wallace
Roberts and Todd, LLC, and project manager David
Miller of Parsons Brinckerhoff. Beckman outlined
the work his firm was doing for the Market Frankfort
El in West Philadelphia and for stations along
the PATCO
Hi-Speed Line. Miller gave examples of several
national examples in which development around
transit has had a major revitalizing effect. Recognizing
the ability of TOD to improve existing communities,
PenTrans plans to throw its support behind future
projects in the state that employ the principles
of transit-oriented development.
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PATCO Map
Source: www.drpa.org
click to enlarge
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