Imagining Millwood

The center hamlet: Station Road, the little station house and Millwood Lumber
October 2, 2009
by Thomas A. Curley AIA LEEDS AP

These sketches are provided to stimulate a thoughtful public discussion on what we as a community would want to see as the future of what has been called, if for planning purposes only, the “Millwood Hamlet.” This should be a moment for us all to dream a little about our town.

However, this is a difficult site. The problems of improving the properties in the planning area have been documented by the town’s consultants and have been reaffirmed by the property owners themselves. And on difficult sites it is not unusual for the public to begin such planning discussions with the negative proposition, “not much can be built here because . . .” But no one ever solved a problem by beginning with “it can’t be done.” Better that we start with a positive vision, what the community wants, and challenge the experts to tell us why not.

This is, and should be, a long and iterative process. Much needs to be worked out and compromises will have to be made. While in the end we may even decide that things in the hamlet are just fine the way they are right now, we need to put alternative futures on the table to responsibly validate any final decision.  These sketches are offered only to stimulate a public discussion to that end.

What these drawings represent:

  * Alternative land use combinations
  * Options for public open space type and distribution
  * Planning and development strategies for traditional village center “place-making”
  * A unified development approach to properties currently held in separate ownership
  * Cooperative relationships between public agencies

What these drawings don’t represent:

  * Definitive assessment of and solutions to infrastructure requirements
  * Proven, economically viable development proposals
  * Adherence to specific current zoning restrictions

The shelf-life of these sketches should be short, perhaps only until the next public meeting, when a new, more useful series could be produced. If that comes to pass, then they have served their purpose.

Click here to see a larger view of the sketch above.

Click here to see a larger view of the sketch above.

Click here to see a larger view of the sketch above.

Click here to see a larger view of the sketch above.

Click here to see a larger view of the sketch above.

Click here to see a larger view of the sketch above.

Thomas Curley projects can be found on six continents for clients as diverse as the Walt Disney Company, The Guggenheim Museum, The City of New York, The United States Air Force Academy, The National Capital Planning Commission, the City of Washington, D.C., the New Jersey Nets, and The Smithsonian Institution, among many others. He believes that to be called to service on public projects is the highest honor an architect can achieve. He served on the New Castle Planning Board for 10 years. He graduated from the Southern California Institute for Architecture (SCI-Arc) with graduate degrees in Architecture and Urban Design. He is a registered architect in the State of New York and is a LEED accredited professional.