A master plan of Middletown’s riverfront redevelopment Riverbend also is underway, which will include  an active arts and culture area, entertainment, retail, market-rate housing, public spaces and a pedestrian bridge. “Housing is an opportune focus for the area,” says Bockstael, pointing to a Realtor.com report that found Hartford ranking high for its affordable housing. He says a $17.4-million housing development could be approved soon in addition to “large apartment developments around Dunkin’ Donuts Park baseball stadium and a new mixed-use neighborhood near Bushnell Park and the Bushnell Performing Arts Center.” 
K-12 schools and higher education projects are also “growing in certain areas,” Bockstael says.