Steele Boulevard Park

The project involves the redevelopment of a 0.29-acre Town-owned parcel located at 30 Steele Boulevard into a public community park. The site is situated within Steele Center, a mixed-use development that includes commercial and residential uses. The property is located within the Town’s Special Use Zone (Kensington Overlay Zone – Village Core Area 1) as shown on the Town Zoning Map. This project builds upon the original Site Plan and Special Permit approvals granted in 2019 for the larger Steele Center at Farmington Avenue development, submitted by Newport Realty Group, LLC. The proposed community park supports the goals and design guidelines of the Kensington Village Overlay District, which promote village-style development, walkability, and pedestrian-oriented design. These guidelines encourage streetscape improvements and a pedestrian-friendly environment through elements such as sidewalks, crosswalks, seating, street lighting, street trees, and landscaping. Development of the 0.29-acre parcel as a community park will provide a shared community gathering space serving the five surrounding buildings within Steele Center, which include restaurants, office space, and residential units.

The Town, founded in 1785, covers an area of 27.0 square miles, and is located in the geographic center of the state in Hartford County. Berlin is eleven miles south of the City of Hartford and is bordered by New Britain, Newington, Rocky Hill, Cromwell, Middletown, Meriden and Southington. Berlin’s population is approximately 20,000. The Town provides a full range of municipal services including public safety, parks and recreation, public works, health and human services, and water control, with a Grand List of approximately $3.2 Billion and an operating budget of approximately $102 Million.