Just minutes from Wesleyan, the Miller Street and Bridge Street community sits under the Arrigoni Bridge. But not for much longer.
The community consists of 22 buildings and two dead end streets and is sealed off from the North End by the railroad tracks that parallel Route 9. Its location has marginalized it geographically and subjected it to continuous problems caused by the various forms of traffic surrounding it.
There is an average of one accident each month because there is no stop light on the Bridge Street turn-off from Route 9. Community residents closest to the bridge often find bottles, cans and other debris discarded by cars driving overhead. Additionally, the city has found lead buildups 30 times above the amount that is considered safe due to weathering paint, also from the bridge. Most of the buildings are over one hundred years old and dilapidated. There is a strong drug presence. Finally, the neighborhood is overwhelmingly poor.
In response to these substandard conditions, in 1999 the Middletown Redevelopment Commission deemed the Miller-Bridge neighborhood unlivable and announced plans to buy all the property, relocate residents and redevelop the area, possibly building a ramp connecting Route 9 to Main Street. The city has yet to make good on these promises, however, leaving Miller-Bridge residents upset and continuously waiting for change. The city has said that it currently cannot afford to fund the project.
Alfredo A. Maturo, owner and manager of Alfredo’s Riverside Restaurant Inc., the only operating business in the community, is frustrated with the situation. Mr. Maturo opened the restaurant in 1966 and has lived in the community since.
“It’s totally unfair,” Maturo said. “I don’t think you should keep anyone waiting for six or seven years.”
Since the city announced its plans, Maturo has struggled with making decisions about replacing appliances, carpets and a roof for the restaurant. According to Maturo he feels trapped, because no one will buy the business since the area will eventually be torn down and he does not know whether replacements and improvements are worth his money or energy because he could be bought out at any time.
Gary Lutz has rented an apartment in the community for five years now.
“Every year it is the same story,” he said.
Lutz said that he is eager to move out of the area but cannot move until the city provides residents with relocation money.
“I just wish they would hurry up and do it,” Lutz said.
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said that it is clear the city does not have the money. He does not expect the project to be completed any time soon.
“I think we’re just gonna be here for a while,” he said.
According to the Hartford Courant, City Planner William Warner said the project will probably not get underway until the state buys the land for improvements to Route 9. Until then, the community will continue to wait.
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