About The Downtown Business District (DBD)

The Downtown Business District - also known as the DBD - was created in 2001 as a special services taxing district that includes the majority of Main Street and some of the commercial side streets in Downtown Middletown. The DBD is governed by a Board of Commissioners who are elected by property owners in the district. The work of the DBD includes beautification projects, cooperative relations with municipal leaders and the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, and the promotion of the district through marketing, recruitment, advertising and and projects like this website. Downtown businesses that are not located within the borders of the district are invited to participate in our promotional activities through our DBD Marketing Package.

Click here to see an ANNUAL review of the DBD

DBD Office

The office of the Downtown Business District is located at 363 Main Street, Suite 404, Middletown, CT 06457. Please contact DBD Coordinator Sandra Russo-Driska for open hours. Phone: (860) 347-1424. Fax: (860) 788-3949. Email: info@downtownmiddletown.com.

DBD Board of Commissioners, 2021-2023:

Jen Alexander, Kidcity Children’s Museum
Chair

Marc Levin, Malloves Jewelers
Vice Chair

Katie Hughes-Nelson, Perk on Main
Secretary

Patrick Harding, Harding Development Group
Treasurer

Michael DiPiro, Guilmartin, DiPiro & Sokolowski
Commissioner

Tom Ford, Hajjar Management
Commissioner

Diane Gervais, Amato’s Toy & Hobby
Commissioner

Marie Kalita
Commissioner

Matt Lefebvre, Middlesex Music Academy
Commissioner

Larry McHugh, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce
Ex-Officio Member

Ben Florsheim, Mayor of Middletown
Ex-officio Member

DBD Staff:

Sandra Russo-Driska
DBD Coordinator

DBD Commission Meetings

The commission meets on the fourth Wednesday morning of each month, with the exception of November and December meetings which are typically held on the third Wednesday due to holiday conflicts. DBD taxing district members are welcome to attend; please contact the DBD Coordinator at (860) 347-1424 or info@downtownmiddletown.com to confirm the location or online link for the meeting. The annual meeting calendar is filed in the Town Clerk’s office at City Hall, 245 DeKoven Drive, Middletown, CT.

About this Website

The Downtown Middletown website is a project of the DBD. We’re indebted to the website designer Clytie Sadler, Principal Owner, Sadler Studio & Design, and many great photographers, including Sandy Aldieri at Perceptions Photography, Bill De Kine at De Kine Photo, photojournalist Bailey Wright and photographer Joe Gowac, with special thanks to Wesleyan University’s Center for the Arts for their photo permissions as well. The photo of Main Street from the rooftop of 675 Main Street is by Sandy Aldieri of Perceptions Photography, courtesy of Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts.

Please send any website questions you have through our contact page.