Sheila Barney opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.  Milton Puryear of the Mill River Collaborative was introduced as one of the presenters. 

Milton is working with the City of Stamford, URC, Stamford Partnership, Downtown Special Services District (DSSD), West Side residents and others. 

The project will be going through many phases:

q       One layer acquisition to protect the river

q       Changing the river orientation

q       Restore the river to its natural state (the pond is full of sediment)

q       Will be working with the Army corps in 2007 performing drudging, grating and demolition

q       Take out the dam structures under the Palaski State Bridge

q       Connection of Scalzi Park to Kosciusko Park

This project will be adding to economic development through big acquisitions, which are long term.  $200K has been raised from property owners and individuals with Olin Partnership under contract. 

Project Amenities:

q       Once the river is drudged it won’t be flat

q       Lower water levels, lower flood levels reducing insurance

q       Active recreation will be more accessible

q       Planted vegetation & boardwalks

q       Cemetery on Richmond Hill with the 1700 grave markers will be restored and protected better

q       Dedicate 10 Elm Trees to the 10 residents who died in 911

q       Olin Partnership will design a wall around the Cemetery

Volunteers will be needed to build the playground, an effort to get people across community and Social lines to work together.  General Electric has committed 150 volunteers for 3-days and UBS has also committed volunteers.  Volunteers will be needed for childcare and for food. 

A Public Hearing will be conducted on February 14, 2006 for rezoning the streets.

W&M Properties gave a brief concept describing their future project on Atlantic and Henry Streets:

q       5.3 acres at the intersection will be recategorized from a 5 to a 9 downtown collar

q       The public hearing for rezoning the streets will be February 14, 2006.

q       File general development plan after the TCDD Application

q       Jonathan Rose is well known for top quarter green design projects

        Meeting Adjourned at 8:00 pm