City’s plans for 2023

By Robert Cloud

The year 2023 should see much of the work and planning from 2022 come to fruition for the city of New London.

“City staff will continue to work with developers on their projects,” City Administrator Chad Hoerth said. “At this time, we anticipate that SC Swiderski will break ground in 2023 for the downtown riverfront multifamily development, construction for the Celestial Hills multifamily apartments should be completed and we’re hopeful some single-family houses will break ground along the Southland Lane extension.”

Mayor Mark Herter noted that 2023 will be the year that a number of development projects will break ground, including the downtown revitalization project and the public library.

“Phase 1 of the North Water Street reconstruction will occur. Water and sanitary sewer improvements are planned along North Water Street, reconstruction of the street surface on State Street, Lincoln Court and St. John’s Place are planned and the conversation of the vacant lot at 225 North Water Street to a parking lot will occur,” Hoerth said.

Hoerth said the improvements in 2023 will allow easier access to help support downtown businesses when North Water Street is reconstructed in 2024.

The city and library/museum board are currently seeking development proposals to sell the vacant lot across the street from the existing library.

The city had initially planned to build the library annex in that lot, but will sell it instead and be using the building donated by First State Bank.

“We’re hopeful we can work with a developer to formalize plans and maybe even break ground on a development at that location in 2023,” Hoerth said.

Hatten Stadium

The city formed a funding partnership with the Hatten Stadium Foundation to split an investment cost of $250,000 to seal the grandstand seating at Hatten Stadium to help prevent water damage within and below the seating structure.

The Common Council approved the Hatten Stadium capital improvement spending proposal at its Dec. 20 meeting.

Herter said the city plans to update its technology “to help our constituents follow meetings better keeping the needs of our taxpayers up front and transparent.”

Noting that residents appreciate the city’ broadcasting its meetings, Hoerth said, “The city is investing over $100,000 in technology improvements for new microphones and cameras in the council chambers … and replacing old and failing broadcast equipment for the city’s cable access channel.”

Herter said the city will focus on the state’s shared revenues and the state surplus.

“I intend to invite some of our state reps to New London and share data on tax dollars,” he said.