Reimagining the Waterfront
November 2025
The City of Norwich has engaged with SLR Consulting, our partner in the creation of the Uncas Leap Park, to assist with redesigning the center of our downtown, Howard T Brown Park. During our Community Engagement sessions for Howard T Brown Park, the boat launch location became a talking point and now, an engineering discussion. To create a continuous Heritage River Trail that connects Uncas Leap to downtown, the poorly located and underutilized boat launch at Howard T Brown Park needs to be moved. The City offers an alternate location in the Viaduct lot. Direct waterfront access with dedicated areas for boaters, safe parking, and easy access make this location appealing and achievable.
Review the rendering below, compare the two sites, and share your choice by clicking the Green button below.
Option A - HTB Park
Pros
Direct waterfront
Docks established
Well known location
Some signage in place
Cons
Difficult entrances/exits
Extremely limited parking
Tight to maneuver
No modern facilities
Popular seasonal park creates safety issues with pedestrians & food trucks
Breaks continuity of Heritage River Trail
Option B - Viaduct
Pros
Direct waterfront
Dedicated to boating
Easier to maneuver trailers & trucks
No traffic speeding by while unloading
Allows for continuity of Heritage River Trail
Doubles available parking; none on the street increasing safety
Cons
Needs permits & approvals
Will take time to complete
Needs lighting to allow evening use
September 2025
Thanks to those who joined us for an Informational at City Hall on September 2 to hear from SLR International about the conceptual plans for Howard T Brown Park and the downtown waterfront.
The next step is for SLR to commence Schematic Diagrams which take into account topographical data, hydrology, soil content and a variety of other technical issues that take these from "concepts" to "ready to design".
Because there wasn't enough time to open the floor for extensive Q&A, we'd like to offer this link below for you to provide short comments.
It is an exciting and transformational time on the waterfront, stay tuned for more!
EXISTING CONDITIONS
PROPOSED CONDITIONS
Increased lawn area, ADA accessible pathways, and a new performance space.
Car-top, kayak, and paddleboard launch area, full connection of riverwalk pathway with access to Heritage Trail.
Public restrooms and integrated mechanical building with tiered overlook viewing the harbor and park areas
Relax and take in the view from the overlook area.
Splash pad, shaded seating, and water feature for families and visitors to enjoy.
Four seasons of fun for families, residents, and tourists.
Watch the progress as Marina Towers is removed.
LIVE FEED
Watch Marina Towers come down live!
Results are in!
We gathered public input in May and June, receiving feedback online and in person. Check out the preliminary data collected, a sampling of responses, and few of the for-review-only idea images.
Be the first to see the conceptual designs!
Join us under the tent at the Marina on July 11 at 5:30 pm.
Come by and design optins!
The initial public response helped create the images below:
The highlighted parcel reflects an opportunity to increase access to the Riverwalk and Heritage trail, expand the footprint of the useable space, and provide enhanced beautification of the waterfront.
As in the first image above, increasing pedestrian access, usability, and greenspace in our downtown.
A frequent response was:
Enhanced access
Better lighting
More family friendly activities
Howard T Brown park and the 2 surrounding parcels, received feedback that clearly showed the public is interested in:
Family friendly activities
Community events
Year-round usability
Food truck parking
Accessibility to trail and water
You've seen this around town and we thank you for visiting to learn more.
The Waterfront is Norwich's most valuable asset and we now have a $7 million budget to make lasting, transformational change.
Come to the Public Information Session and take our Survey be part of the solution.
READ ON BELOW FOR DETAILS AND KEY INFORMATION!
Watch progress via livestream of Marina Towers demolition
SURVEY NOW CLOSED
Above: Example ideas for the waterfront
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE?
© Hargreaves Associates
Get inspired by possibility here: Spray Grounds — Aquatic Design Group
NOVEMBER 2024 UPDATES
You shared and we won over $7 million in grant money to help make this project a reality, now we need your continued engagement.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share feedback via the survey.
Below, you will see the actual survey results, snippets of real responses, information on next steps, anticipated outcomes, rough schedule of actions, and a list of stakeholders who can continue to help guide this project forward.
The Results Are In!
This word cloud represents actual feedback we received about this project.
Overwhelmingly, people want to see Marina Towers taken down.
Some of You Shared:
- "The building is in such an awkward spot even if it were developed and I think it would further enhance the marina to have more public Waterfront area I'm always for more green space especially in a downtown area"
- "Have a clear view of our Harbor"
- "While I was torn between the two choices, I eventually voted for demolition. I think opening up that specific area would showcase the marina as the gem that it is and, possibly, entice more people to spend time there. Those passing through on their way to either casino may opt to stay closer to the city center and contribute to the income and tax revenue. Additionally, a beautiful open area provides much needed mental health respite for all."
- "I would enjoy seeing a beautiful green space to accentuate the Waterview. I would like to see activities for families such as playscape, water pad, mini golf, educational center, statues, a paved walking trail and a space for food trucks."
- "The building is an eyesore. Even the rendering you show finished is UGLY. Get rid of it. I'm a preservationist, but this one has to go sooner than later."
- "I am absolutely fine with public funding going towards demolishing and putting public park. Norwich would be greener and look a lot nicer. Putting in a new public park could actually improve mental health for the entire community. A new building would LOOK nice but not have this effect."
- "I think the area would benefit from more outdoor space by the water. There are plenty of other buildings that can be saved and turned into businesses, affordable housing. To bring more people to downtown. Along with better upkeep and maintenance. The down area looks so rundown and left to decay."
What is Next?
TAKE THE NEXT SURVEY HERE:
In The News
May 21, 2024 - Norwich reclaims waterfront property https://bit.ly/48T0Mag
August 19, 2024 - Residents share feedback https://bit.ly/4epKKFU
September 24, 2024 - Norwich receives $12M in grants for mill demolition, waterfront improvements https://bit.ly/3UMZ2JO
October 22, 2024 - State bonding commission approves Marina Towers funding https://bit.ly/3O3eUUz
November 4, 2024 - Norwich city council committee favors demolition of former Marina Towers building https://yhoo.it/40DtdXy
Phases
Information Sharing & Planning
Learn about the next steps, action items, and decisions that need to be made to move forward.