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Merritt Parkway
Service Areas

In 2007, the Connecticut Department of Transportation held a public informational meeting on the Connecticut Statewide Rest Area and Service Plaza Study. The presentation included the suggestion that the service areas on the Merritt be demolished and replaced with new buildings to maintain "the historic character on the Parkway." The Conservancy opposed any destruction to the six historic buildings and requested a greater role in any improvements to the service areas.

CT DOT issued a request for proposal for the redevelopment and long-term operation for all 23 service plazas in Connecticut. Included in the proposal was the condition that the Conservancy would participate in the review of any proposed construction activities, and our goal "for these facilities to be maintained at, or restored to, their historical appearance and kept within the Parkway’s character."

In 2009, The State of Connecticut entered into a 35-year public-private partnership with Project Service LLC, a joint venture between SUBWAY and the Carlyle Group. As a result of our work, gas pumps and canopies are relocated truth from the buildings, increasing safety and enhancing views. MPC's architectural reviews helped to preserve the exteriors of the historically protected buildings and limited advertising on the sites by the vendors.

The renovation of the service areas received the 2016 Award of Merit from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. The award was a collaborative effort of Project Service LLC, CT DOT, the Merritt Parkway Conservancy, Newman Architects, PC, David Scott Parker Architects LLC, and the Carlyle Group.

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