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Consultants outline 14‑project revitalization plan for Burnside–Church Street Brownfield area
Summary
Consultants for the Town of East Hartford presented a Brownfield area‑wide revitalization plan focused on Burnside Avenue and the Church Street neighborhood, proposing 14 projects including mixed‑use redevelopment, riverfront activation at 87 Church Street, streetscape upgrades and new parks; staff said much work is grant‑funded and feasibility studies will guide next steps.
Kimberly Baptiste, a consultant with Colliers Engineering and Design, presented the draft Brownfield area‑wide revitalization plan for the Burnside–Church Street neighborhood at the Planning & Zoning Commission’s April 22 meeting. The plan, developed over about nine months, groups 14 proposed projects that mix private redevelopment and public investments intended to improve housing variety, activate Burnside Avenue and celebrate the riverfront.
Baptiste said the consultant team has completed an existing‑conditions analysis, a market study and substantial community engagement — pop‑ups, meetings with the veterans and economic development commissions, and a student engagement event — and will deliver a draft Brownfields revitalization plan for public review ahead of a June finalization. “We kicked off the process back in August 2025,” she said.
Key proposals include two options for 700 Burnside Avenue: (1) façade and landscaping improvements that retain the existing plaza, or (2) a redevelopment scenario replacing the plaza with a mixed‑use building (first‑floor commercial with multifamily above). Coyne Associates is completing financial feasibility assessments for both 700 Burnside and Stone Academy (745 Burnside) to identify funding gaps and investment attractiveness.
Other projects in the master plan include corridor‑wide façade and sidewalk improvements, a proposed townhome project at 47 Church Street, enhancements and formalized parking for the United Methodist Church site, and a multi‑element plan for 87 Church Street to create waterfront gathering spaces and a pedestrian bridge to town‑owned property across the river. Baptiste described Project 11 as an "Overlook Park" concept to formalize an under‑used riverfront parcel with picnic and viewing areas.
The plan also prioritizes streetscape investments on Burnside Avenue — clarifying bike and pedestrian space, calming vehicle speeds and adding amenities such as seating and landscaping — and a proposal to fill gaps in the trail system where additional feasibility work is needed to address topographic constraints.
Commissioners asked about timeline and property owner impacts. Commissioner Chris asked where Overlook Park is located; Baptiste pointed to an inset map and said the project team is preparing an implementation strategy that will list priorities, planning‑level cost estimates, roles, and likely funding sources. On tenant displacement, Baptiste said the redevelopment concepts are owner‑led and that, for 87 Church Street, the property owner is on the project steering committee and the plan shown aligns with his long‑term vision. “We are going kind of another layer deep,” she said of the feasibility work.
A staff member confirmed the Brownfields planning work is funded through a Connecticut Department of Community Development Brownfields grant; the town is sponsoring the project but not providing the grant funds directly.
Next steps include release of a draft Brownfield area revitalization plan for public comment and a finalization process that will incorporate feedback and the feasibility findings. The town has posted project materials to burnsidechurchrevitalization.com for ongoing updates and public outreach.
