From Judy Gilleland - City Manager

Middletown’s Vitality:
The new, larger United Dairy Farmers at 101 North Verity opened November 18th. It features indoor and outdoor dining, and includes 8 gasoline pumps. This facility is the first new downtown construction in 10 years and we believe it is a sign of things to come.

Staff celebrated the grand opening November 23 of the new “green” Taco Bell on Breiel Boulevard. This investment in Middletown is significant not only because it reflects confidence in Middletown’s economy, but also because it is the first “green” restaurant of the entire Taco Bell chain. This prototype will be the benchmark to measure the cost effectiveness of the green features. The restaurant includes such green measures as LED lighting, rain and air conditioning condensation water harvesting, waste recycling, low-flow plumbing fixtures, water conserving landscape irrigation, low-growth grass, a white roof and light colored concrete to reflect heat.

The new 22,000 square foot Primary Health Solutions facility opens December 5. The public/private venture came about through a collaborative effort of the Middletown City Schools, the City of Middletown, a FIP grant (Fed. Investment Program-part of Am. Recovery & Reinvestment Act) and external funding. The facility will seek at least a silver LEED status. It will have geo-thermal heating and cooling and will make extensive use of natural lighting. It is an innovative model providing service to both market rate clients and low income clientele, in a modern, energy efficient setting. The site includes a plaza designed to create a park-like setting to the campus and a place for members of the community to rest and relax. The building is designed to reflect the past and future of Middletown through its design. The extensive use of metal on the exterior of the building is a nod to Middletown being a steel town while the stone softens the exterior to help it fit into the residential neighborhood.

In addition to the two new green projects discussed above, Middletown’s list of sustainable buildings includes the recently constructed green Aldi’s market, the silver LEED certified Verizon store, and the gold core and shell LEED certified Paychex. The new sustainable buildings support Middletown’s focus on sustainability and green measures, such as the new recycling measures efforts being implemented through efforts of Keep Middletown Beautiful.