Proposal for Connecticut Riverway Trail sparks debate over EDC role

The commission heard a proposal to revive the Connecticut Riverway Trail, a greenway/blueway concept linking riverfront parcels and restoring public access near a forthcoming Amtrak bridge project. The chair described meetings with the Amtrak bridge engineer and outreach to local marinas as supportive and said the project could deliver economic benefits similar to Niantic's boardwalk.

"The Connecticut River, the mouth of the Connecticut River is classified by the United Nations as one of the last unspoiled places in the world. And we have no access to it because we have a railroad that blew through in the 1850s and separated public access to a massive amount of our waterfront, and I'm looking to reclaim that," the chair said, arguing the trail could increase visitation and economic activity.

Another commissioner pushed back that the trail involves open space, harbor management and the First Selectwoman's office and said the Economic Development Commission should not lead official outreach to state agencies. "I do not see that project as a project that the economic development commission should be involved in," the commissioner said, urging the chair to seek authorization from the Board of Selectmen or to be appointed to a cross-commission committee before contacting DEEP, DOT or Amtrak.

The chair agreed to take the proposal to the Board of Selectmen for authorization and said they would ask the board to reaffirm past support before outreach to state agencies.