Riverfront committee shows multi-phase plan to reconnect New Milford downtown to the Housatonic

The New Milford Riverfront Revitalization Committee on March 23 presented concept plans and traffic findings to the Town Council for more than 50 acres of publicly owned riverfront, emphasizing phased park improvements, flood resilience and potential for mixed-use development. Liba Furhman, who introduced the plan, said the riverfront is "not just another park — it is the front porch for the town," and described the proposal as a long-term, evolving initiative funded so far by state and federal grants rather than local taxpayer dollars.

The design team from WXY and Langan laid out priorities drawn from public engagement — more than 400 online survey responses and multiple public workshops — including new natural areas, restrooms and water fountains, an outdoor performance venue, waterfront recreation and expanded tree cover. David Vega‑Barachowitz (WXY) and Chris McClean (Langan) presented concept elements such as an amphitheater, kayak launch, wetland boardwalk, playground and accessible winding paths.

Traffic and parking were central constraints in the presentation. Chris McClean reported peak counts of fewer than 100 vehicles per hour at Patriots Way, 300–400 per hour at Youngs Field Road, and 300–500 per hour at Railroad Street; he said existing intersections on Bridge Street and East Street are already over capacity. The consultants recommended installing a new traffic signal at Patriots Way and coordinating it with the Railroad Street signal if Patriots Way aligns with West Street — a change the Connecticut Department of Transportation would support only with that alignment.

The committee outlined a four-phase approach: realign Youngs Field Road and clear space by relocating DPW facilities (phase 1); deliver park upgrades at Youngs Field with bluff regrading and river-edge naturalization (phase 2); introduce mixed‑use and townhome development to leverage private investment (phase 3); and finish sports fields and ecological restoration at Native Meadows (phase 4). Furhman stressed that any sale or lease of town-owned land would require town meeting approval.

Council members asked clarifying questions about flood risk and parking. A Langan engineer said the site is in the floodplain and the plan does not raise the park grade by filling; instead, the plan would add stormwater detention where none exists now. Council members noted the DPW site relocation and ballfield moves would be essential before major development could proceed. The committee characterized the March 23 presentation as informational; no formal vote or funding request was made at the meeting.

Next steps described by the committee include developing a financial framework, pursuing additional grants, identifying a new DPW and ballfield location, and continuing public outreach.