Milford mayor and city manager outline major downtown and River’s Edge redevelopment plans

Mayor Ralph Bellardo and City Manager Benjamin Gundersen used Milford’s State of the City presentation to outline a series of downtown redevelopment projects and large housing proposals they say will anchor economic growth.

Bellardo framed the administration’s approach on growth around five strategic pillars—"Live, Work, Play, Invest, Belong"—and said the city is preparing to move forward with targeted projects while preserving downtown character. "Change is inevitable. Growth is optional," he said, urging residents to consider the long-term vision.

Gundersen described a downtown extension along Wharf Street that would add roughly 50–60 residential units and represented the project as a $15–20 million investment intended to serve as an anchor for downtown activity. He also presented a redevelopment package for a former bank site that would include about 7,500 square feet of office space, 7,000 square feet of residential floor area, 4,500 square feet of restaurant space and roughly 15 residential units, and said the city acquired the Fountain Specialist parcel earlier this year to facilitate coordinated development.

On a larger site, Gundersen outlined River’s Edge, a proposed mixed-use housing development of about 350 units and an estimated $65–70 million investment on a long‑vacant parcel near Target and Cinemark. He said the project is intended to drive residents to the area and support local businesses.

Both Bellardo and Gundersen emphasized that the presentation was meant to solicit feedback rather than to finalize approvals. Gundersen told attendees the materials posted online and discussed at the meeting were not a "done deal": "we received comments regarding this as a done deal, when in fact, that's not the case," he said, and invited residents to participate in planning commission meetings, council sessions and HOA forums.

The presentation included repeated references to preserving the character of Main Street while encouraging development. The mayor and manager stressed that parking, traffic flow and public amenities would be studied before decisions are made: Gundersen committed to a parking study intended to inform both short- and long-term parking solutions.

Next steps described by staff include public outreach through upcoming planning and council meetings and additional design work on the projects; no formal motions or votes occurred during the presentation.