Riverwalk South and Gateway Project

In 1982, the City of Hartford approved Riverfront Recapture’s master plan which envisioned the construction of several parks in Hartford along the Connecticut River that would be connected by linear riverwalks.  The new parks and riverwalks would restore access to the river for downtown Hartford workers and residents from the surrounding neighborhoods.  The last piece to be constructed is our Riverwalk South and Gateway project, the most technical and challenging project Riverfront Recapture has ever taken on.  

The new riverwalk will start in Charter Oak Landing and stretch 3700 feet north to Mortensen Riverfront Plaza and will include a new park entrance, the Gateway, which will connect Coltsville and the Charter Oak and Sheldon St. neighborhoods to the river.  The paved and lighted riverwalk will vary in width from 14 feet to18 feet to accommodate the different user groups and service vehicles.  Like all the preceding Riverfront projects, this walkway project will include amenities like benches, bike racks, scenic overlooks, signs, and an abundance of landscaping to add to the natural beauty of the riverfront.

In 2010, consultant’s working for Riverfront Recapture completed the Phase II environmental and the geotechnical investigations providing much needed data for our structural and civil engineer, Close, Jensen, & Miller.  Our lead consultant, Richter & Cegan Landscape Architects and Urban Designers and Close, Jensen, & Miller are now tasked with integrating the riverwalk within the City’s flood control system including notching almost 2,000’ of riverwalk into the earthen levee.  In addition, the engineers are designing a new 400’ section of concrete dike wall with a 40’ wide opening that will provide direct riverfront access from the new park entrance.  The dike opening will be closed by a steel flood gate when significant flooding is expected.  A load relieving platform that will carry the weight of the new flood wall and gate structure, while improving the overall stability of the riverbank, is also in design.  Once the design work is complete and local permits are secured, Riverfront Recapture will work with the City to secure a United States Army Corps of Engineers Section 408 permit for the project construction which is expected to start in late 2014. 

Riverfront Recapture has secured partial funding for the design and permitting of this project through the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and the Capitol City Economic Development Authority and is currently seeking additional funds to complete the work.  

Design Team:   
Richter & Cegan Landscape Architects and Urban Designers, Inc.
Close, Jensen, & Miller PC
GEI Consultants, Inc
RZ Design Associates
Fuss & O’Neil, Inc. with support from the Capitol Region Council of Governments
Bourne Consulting Engineering
Clarence Welti Associates

Owner: City of Hartford