CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: August 21, 2012

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

Public Input Sought on Stamford Parking Garage and Transit-Oriented Development Project at Stamford Transportation Center

   The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) is announcing that a Public Hearing will take place September 20 for the Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) of the Stamford Parking Garage and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Project in Stamford.

   A notice has been published in the Connecticut Environmental Monitor dated

August 21, 2012. The EIE for the project, which is State Project No. 301-0047, can be viewed online at www.ct.gov/environmentaldocuments  Copies are also available at the Stamford Town Clerk’s Office, the Ferguson Library in Stamford, as well as the South Western Regional Planning Agency and the DOT headquarters building in Newington, CT.

   The public will have the opportunity to comment on the EIE during a 45-day comment period beginning on August 21, 2012 and ending on October 5, 2012. Comments can be submitted at dot.environmentalplanning@ct.gov or by mail to: Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Transportation Assistant Planning Director, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT  06131-7546.  Comments may also be submitted verbally, or in writing, at the public hearing on the EIE, scheduled for September 20, 2012. 

   The EIE evaluated the potential impacts associated with the demolition of the original 727-space parking garage that was opened in 1987, (which is the older of two parking garages at the Stamford Transportation Center) and the construction of new parking facilities for at least 1,000 spaces to replace the original garage spaces plus any additional commuter parking spaces needed to replace spaces lost from CTDOT owned parking as a result of development, and to increase the commuter parking supply. The project will also provide ancillary improvements for vehicular and pedestrian circulation and access along Station Place.  The purpose of the proposed project is to: 1) Replace the aging 727-space original parking garage that services the Stamford Transportation Center with low maintenance, long service life facilities that accommodate a minimum of 1,000 new spaces; 2) Expand the availability of parking and improve multimodal traffic and pedestrian flow around the Stamford Transportation Center and Station Place; and 3) Minimize the public costs for construction and ongoing operations and maintenance of the parking facilities serving the Stamford Transportation Center by promoting TOD which leverages and enhances the multimodal public transportation services provided by the Stamford Transportation Center.  Issues that have been analyzed in depth include operational characteristics, infrastructure needs, TOD, the effects of the alternatives on noise, air, water quality, and cultural and recreational resources, as well as other social, economic and environmental effects, and capital and operating costs.

The Public Hearing will be: 

DATE: Thursday, September 20, 2012.

TIME: 7:00 PM

PLACE: Stamford High School, 55 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902

   Any questions should be directed to Mr. Mark W. Alexander, Transportation Assistant Planning Director, CTDOT, Bureau of Policy and Planning, at (860) 594-2931.