Traverse Square, located next to University Hi and Lo Rise apartments, is a housing community that has existed in Middletown since its construction in 1973. The Square consists of 10 buildings, each consisting of two adjoining two-level houses, and a community center. The Middletown Housing Authority (MHA), a non-profit organization that funds housing development projects, initially built Traverse Square as part of the city’s effort to restore downtown.
According to the executive director of MHA, Bill Fiscillio, in 1972, the MHA demolished the rundown buildings that once stood in the Square, and constructed the housing units which now comprise Traverse Square as affording housing for low-income families in Middletown.
The Hi and LoRise units, which now house a majority of the University’s junior and senior undergraduate students, were initially an initiative by the University to support the city’s same efforts in the early 1970’s to redevelop the downtown district.
“The [Hi and LoRise] buildings were erected within proximity to the University to foster an intimate social environment between the University and the neighborhood,” Fiscillio said.
The University’s relationship to the community has been a matter of great importance.
“One of the things University President Doug Bennet has done a great job with is enhancing the relationship between Middletown and the University,” said Maryann Wiggin, Director of Public Safety. “I think all college and university have ebbs and flows in their relationship with the town or city.”
Currently some of the buildings in Traverse Square are under construction. As of March, the community is getting a new, modern look with updated siding to the outside of the buildings.
“We are trying change the perception of the property,” said MHA Facilities Manager Stephen Rose. “We hired Pioneer Building Construction Company to strip the building of their original soft cedar siding, and replace it with Werzalit, a composite hard-board siding. We want to make it looked esteemed.”
According to Rose, Werzalit paint, which is designed so that graffiti washes off easily, was recently developed in Germany, and is being used in Disney Land and other high-traffic and high-abuse areas.
“A little bit of applied detergent soap will be able to remove graffiti from the face of the building,” said Jack Brody, the Pioneer Building’s Site Supervisor. “This will help reduce vandalism.”
Pioneer Building recently completed a similar renovation of the building of Maplewood, a neighborhood only few miles from Traverse Square.
“[The renovation] is a high priority for us,” Rose said. “The project will cost approximately $600,000, which amounts to three years of allotted budgeted money for that community.”
So far two of the ten building in Traverse Square has been completely refurbished with Werzalit.
Brody also said that renovations on Traverse Square will include a fully handicap accessible housing unit and a gated playground. The building walls are alternately iridescent shades of green, red, and gray.
“We are a little restricted in our working hours,” Brody said. “We work arrive at 7:30 in the morning and leave at 4:30 in the afternoon, so as not to inconvenience any of the families during supper.”
According to Brody, the rest of the renovation will be completed by late summer or early fall.
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