New Britain, CT

Transformation of a city center into a more pedestrian- and transit-friendly environment through a multi-phase, collaborative effort including new civic spaces, improved connectivity, and design features that promote accessibility, local character, and community use.

Building off the design standards and conceptual plans in the Complete Streets Streetscape Master Plan, the Downtown New Britain Streetscape project is a collaborative and multi-phase design and construction project focused on creating a more pedestrian friendly, attractive and livable environment throughout the downtown area. As the southern terminus of the CTfastrak system, Connecticut’s bus rapid transit system, the new downtown streetscapes help create opportunities for the city to build a solid foundation as a transit-friendly community.

Drawing inspiration from historic pedestrian squares and plazas, Central Park as a City Square (Phase III) is designed as an inviting flexible space that can be used for a variety of civic events and public gatherings. The design achieves a balance between more intimate sitting areas and a larger civic space. With the existing Civil War Monument as a dominant focal point, primary desire lines from all angles are incorporated into the space to promote pedestrian access. Radiating lines of granite bands emanate from a circular raised performance stage and scale down the expanse of pavers. The Main Street road diet (a key part of the Complete Streets Streetscape Master Plan) provided the opportunity for Central Park to be expanded with the addition of a significant new southern section.

The Columbus Boulevard Roundabout (Phase IV) provides a safe pedestrian connection to the CTfastrak busway system. Centered on the relocated Olaf Zeidenberg Sculpture, the roundabout provides necessary traffic calming measures and a major character defining amenity. Preservation of the mature London Plane tree allée along Columbus Boulevard provides shade and a defined edge, creating the perfect backdrop for the city. The new Leo A. Milewski Park is a major amenity with a clock tower, trees, benches and lawn areas. The Complete Streets design includes extended bike lanes throughout this phase completing a critical connection to the entire downtown area.

The Main Street Overpass (Phase V) was transformed with a unique overpass design that creates a strong connecting element and acts as an identifying feature for the start of the CTfastrak system from New Britain to Hartford. The new Beehive Bridge design was the result of a collaborative design approach including Richter & Cegan’s streetscape design components.