Norwich commission approves waterfront park overhaul, including band shell, water plaza and seasonal ice rink

The Commission of Civic Plan for the City of Norwich on April 21 approved a coastal area management (CAM) application and special permit for major renovations at Howard T. Brown Memorial Park on Chelsea Harbor Drive, including a band shell, a spray‑play water plaza that will convert to a seasonal ice rink, and a small support building with restrooms and mechanical space.

Michael Doherty, manager of landscape architecture for SLR Consulting, told the commission the roughly 3.65‑acre project replaces 21 striped parking spaces on the park’s east end, enlarges an event lawn, and reconfigures central parking and the waterfront riverwalk. “We are providing additional flood storage,” Doherty said, and described design choices made to keep mechanical equipment above the FEMA base flood elevation and to dry‑floodproof the support building to elevation 15 (one foot above the base flood elevation of 14). The building’s finished floor will be about elevation 10, with stop‑log flood barriers planned for doors rather than gasketed doors to reduce ongoing maintenance costs.

The project team said removing the existing boat launch at the site will improve pedestrian connectivity and accessibility; the city and state are working on relocating a launch nearby. The team also described an elevated, accessible band shell (stage raised roughly 18–36 inches), a riverwalk replacement with continuous concrete, a decorative spray fountain designed as a spiral “rose,” and an embedded‑tubing plaza that can be chilled to form an ice surface in winter. The chiller and major mechanicals will be located above the mapped flood elevation.

Why it matters: supporters said the renovations aim to increase public access to the waterfront, create flexible event space to support downtown activity, and use state and grant funding to advance the city’s Harbor Vision and management goals. Kevin Brown of the Norwich Community Development Corporation said the project is the result of multiple years of coordination and cited funding from state programs, Small Harbor Improvement grants and a congressionally directed spending allocation from Congressman Joe Courtney. “This is ready to go,” Brown said, adding that the project will dovetail with nearby downtown renovations.

Commissioners and members of the public raised questions about flood barrier details, lighting, the possible use of accent materials (brick or alternate finishes), solar panels on the band shell, gazebo relocation and nighttime security. Chris of EDM Studio said the stop‑log brackets will be cast into door jambs so the flood panels do not protrude beyond the face of the wall. Staff confirmed photometric plans and fixture choices will be refined in the final plan set.

City staff (Dan) recommended approval with conditions and asked the commission to record that remaining minor engineering and building‑official comments be addressed in the final plan set. That approach was reflected in the motion the commission adopted. Commissioner Kathy Morzika moved to approve the CAM application and later moved to approve the special permit (both motions seconded by Commissioner Ella); the commission voted in favor of both items and the commission closed the public hearing and carried the motions.

What happens next: the commission’s approvals include conditions from the staff memo; the project team must address the city engineer and building official’s comments in the final plans and submit the final signed plan set for the record. The team and staff said they will continue coordination with Norwich Public Utilities, Department of Public Works and state permitting authorities as required.

Details and clarifications: the applicant reported a net cut of about 1,200 cubic yards of soil, an overall reduction in impervious surface of just under 2,000 square feet, and plans to gain roughly 14 restriped parking spaces in the central lot after removing the boat ramp. The plaza grade is around elevation 8; the chiller sits at elevation 16. The building will include two single‑use all‑gender restrooms and a small garage/storage area sized to house a maintenance vehicle (Zamboni). Support and maintenance of the park remain the city’s responsibility and will be performed by DPW as part of city ownership.

The commission’s action closes the docketed public hearing for special permit 2604; staff and the applicant will complete final engineering revisions and file the approved, conditioned plans with the clerk.