Press Releases
06/21/2018
Gov. Malloy Announces State Grants to Encourage Transit-Oriented Development and Responsible Growth Across Connecticut
Grants Will Support Five Projects Targeted at Boosting Economic Activity and Jobs in Danbury, Hartford, Stamford, Torrington, and West Hartford
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Malloy today announced that five projects in towns and cities across Connecticut will receive approximately $8.5 million in funding under the second phase of the 2017 Responsible Growth and Transit Oriented Development Grants – a competitive grant program that supports transit-oriented development and responsible growth in the state and is targeted at boosting economic activity and creating jobs.
The grants come under the second round of state’s Responsible Growth and Transit-Oriented Development Grant Program, which is administered by the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and relies on a combination of funding from the Responsible Growth Incentive Fund and the Transit-Oriented Development and Pre-development Fund.
“Transportation isn’t just about cars, trains, and buses – it’s about building vibrant communities and continuing to make Connecticut a more attractive place to live, visit, and do business,” Governor Malloy said. “Today’s grant awards will build upon the smart, targeted investments we have made in recent years, which have already lead to significant growth in transit-oriented development across the state.”
“These projects are essential to moving Connecticut’s economy forward,” OPM Secretary Ben Barnes said. “Our state’s recovery requires a first-class transportation system with strong business growth at the local level and these grants will help foster that ascension in the communities we call home. The jobs created by these projects and the infrastructure enhancements will not only benefit us in the short-term, but for generations to come.”
In April 2017, OPM released a request for applications for the grant program, and the State Bond Commission approved a total of $15 million to be used – comprised of $5 million from the Responsible Growth Incentive Fund and $10 million from the Transit-Oriented Development and Pre-development Fund. Following that, OPM – with input from other state agencies – reviewed, rated, and ranked each of the proposals. The first round of grants were released in December 2017 and totaled $4.5 million.
The following projects were approved to receive the grants under the second round:
- Danbury – Downtown Streetscape Project: $2,000,000 to prepare design drawings and construct sidewalk and streetscape infrastructure improvements along key downtown pedestrian routes within the vicinity of the Danbury Train Station. Improvements include the new construction or replacement of sidewalks, intersection improvements, landscaping, removal and installation of street trees, ornamental lighting, and pedestrian access improvements as detailed in the city’s Downtown TOD Planning Study.
- Hartford – Main Street Complete Streets Vision Plan and Innovation District Activation: $450,000 to develop a Complete Streets Vision Plan for a section of Main Street from State House Square to the vicinity of South Green in order to identify improvements to bike and pedestrian amenities, and prepare complete construction documents for future buildout. In addition to bike and pedestrian amenities, the final plan shall identify potential improvements to transit services, new streetscaping, a new cycle track, and other linkages to improve bike and pedestrian connections within the project area. A portion of this funding will also be used to implement the Innovation District Activation Program. This program will provide grants to new and existing businesses within the project area to support capital and other investments such as façade improvements, building infrastructure, marketing, business planning, public events, and other business/community support services with the objective of creating vibrant employment and residential hubs.
- Stamford – Springdale TOD Implementation: $1,994,188 to prepare design and engineering drawings, and construct improvements around the Springdale Train Station consistent with the recommendations of the Glenbrook/Springdale Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Feasibility Study. Improvements include safer bicycle and pedestrian access to the village center and rail station, realignment and modification of the station’s main entrance at Clearview Avenue, and other improvements to landscaping, lighting, and general accessibility in and around the station area.
- Torrington – East Main Street (Route 202) Sidewalk Implementation: $1,997,700 to construct new sidewalks, and repair/replace existing sidewalks along portions of East Main St (Route 202) between Torrington Heights Road and the Big Lots Plaza. The city will use a portion of the funding to evaluate existing conditions at nine signalized intersections within the project boundary, and at more complex sections of roadway which lack sidewalks, to determine if additional pedestrian improvements are feasible.
- West Hartford – New Park Avenue Complete Streets Implementation: $2,000,000 to construct complete streets infrastructure improvements along New Park Avenue from New Britain Avenue to Oakwood Avenue, consistent with the recommendations of the 2017 New Park Avenue Transit Area Complete Streets Study. Improvements include a road diet with center turn lane, landscaped medians and protected bike lanes, new street trees, lighting, wayfinding signage and other amenities, and a pocket park at the gateway to the Trout Brook Trail.
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