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| Our mission is to be the catalyst that ignites Connecticut's Main Streets as the cornerstone of thriving communities. |
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Love is in the air, and many of our downtowns are embracing the feeling with fun winter festivities. What better way to show you love your Main Street back than by visiting a local shop or posting a pic to let the whole world know! Need another reason to celebrate? Scroll down for more good news from CT's downtowns!
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CMSC Welcomes New Member in Norwalk
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The Wall Street Neighborhood Association is comprised of business leaders, property owners, and local area residents committed to the cause of promoting the Wall Street neighborhood. Located in the heart of the Norwalk Arts District, their goal is to create and sustain a clean, friendly, inviting neighborhood that attracts residents, businesses, and visitors.
Learn more.
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DOT Community Connectivity Program Offers Solutions to Bike/Ped Challenges
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The CT Department of Transportation's Community Connectivity Program aims to address obstacles to bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, helping to identify and build community support for intermodal connections.
In 2015, CTDOT reached out to all 169 CT towns, offering to do one road audit in each town. Eighty towns responded, and the DOT conducted all 80 audits over the next 18 months, covering a range of geographies from downtown and town centers to suburban, urban and rural areas. In all, the DOT audited 117 miles of roadway and 583 intersections. View the final reports.
During the audits, teams comprised of DOT staff, municipal officials, law enforcement and community leaders identified concerns such as old signage, inconsistent sidewalks and incomplete pedestrian connections. DOT staff also provided short-, medium- and long-term solutions to address the concerns. Next, the DOT launched a $10 million Community Connectivity Grant Program in 2017 to provide funding for municipalities to do smaller scale capital improvements. The DOT received 80 applications and approval from the State Bond Commission for fun
ding for the program in July 2018. All municipalities that submitted applications for grants will be notified about specific funding decisions.
As a result of the audits, CTDOT and the 80 towns now have identified issues that need to be addressed and specific ways to streamline needed improvements for bicycle and pedestrian safety and access across Connecticut. CTDOT officials are hopeful the grant program will continue on an annual basis as a way to continue improving bicycle and pedestrian connections throughout the state. Learn more about the CCP & CCP grants.
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Sustainable CT Accepting Fellows Applications
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Through this program, fellows will assist cities and towns within the COGs' territories, as well as assist with COG projects that align with Sustainable CT goals. Fellows will gain valuable experience working within a professional setting and will be directly engaged with cutting-edge sustainability initiatives, local government operations, and regional coordination.
The submission deadline is February 25, 2019. Learn more & apply here.
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Website Offers Reasons to Choose CT
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We've all heard it - the naysayers who complain there's no good reason to be here.
A new website aims to combat this negative perception with a list of reasons why everyone should choose Connecticut.
Whether you're looking to move here or build a career, start a business or just want to find something interesting to do, choosect.gov is a great place to learn more about the many advantages of being in Connecticut
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Register for Hidden in Plain Sight, an adaptive reuse summit
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There's still time to register to join CMSC and CT Preservation Action (CPA) for Hidden in Plain Sight, an adaptive reuse summit on overcoming the challenges and financing the potential of these historic diamonds in the rough. This event, sponsored by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), is perfect for anyone interested in developing CT's downtowns for the future. Hidden in Plain Sight will feature national speakers James Lindberg, Bob Stevens and Merrill Hoopengardner, and two afternoon panels will feature local speakers including developers, municipal officials, historic preservationists and financiers. This event is being offered at two locations: on February 28th in Hartford and on March 1st in Norwalk.
▪ Old Saybrook adopts new TIF District for Mariner's Way -
Old Saybrook became the latest town to take advantage of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) when it adopted a new TIF District and Master Plan for a portion of Route 1 known as Mariner's Way. The Town envisions a mixed-use area with bike and pedestrian amenities that will complement the Town's historic Main Street. There are also transit-oriented development (TOD) opportunities by the Saybrook Junction rail stop. The Town is interested in recreational, culinary and educational uses for a large redevelopment parcel and senior living units are desired for a third focus area.
Read the Mariner's Way Plan.
CMSC was pleased to assist the Town of Old Saybrook, a CMSC member community, in developing the Mariner's Way TIF District, helping to draft the Master Plan and gather community input. CMSC is currently assisting the Town of Enfield in developing a TIF District to revitalize the Thompsonville area.
▪ Save the Date for ITE's Annual Meeting - The ITE Northeastern District Annual Meeting takes place May 8-10 in New Haven. This meeting brings together 300+ professionals from the Northeastern District of ITE including the Metropolitan NY-NJ, the Upstate NY and the New England Sections for three days of technical seminars mixed with social events of interest to transportation professionals.
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Spotlight on 2018 Award of Excellence Winner
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Setting the Stage for TOD in Windsor Center
Recipient: Town of Windsor
Partners: CIL Development, Lexington Partners, LLC
As early as 1973, town plans called for the redevelopment of the portion of Windsor Center lying just east of the railroad tracks. But redeveloping the area from an obsolete mix of industrial and municipal uses into housing and office space would take decades, during which the town undertook a series of capital projects to improve the area's physical environment. Windsor never lost sight of its pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use goal though, overcoming issues with environmental remediation, acquisition of access, and relocation of the non-profit Vintage Radio Museum.
Today, its plans are coming to fruition. The construction of the Windsor Station apartments and First Town Square have added almost 200 new apartment homes, adding vibrancy and benefitting nearby restaurants and businesses while offering a walkable, mixed-use community in close proximity to the train. Based on these successes, the town is now looking to facilitate development of additional housing in Windsor Center.
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