Town of Stonington Selected for Main Street Investment Fund Grant

Stonington Officials secure $500,000 to re-initiate the Pawcatuck Streetscape Project 

Stonington, CT – The State of Connecticut Department of Housing has announced that the Town of Stonington’s application for a $500,000 for the Pawcatuck Streetscape Project has been approved. In a letter from Housing Commissioner Evonne Klein to First Selectman Rob Simmons, the funding is anticipated to improve town commercial centers, improve aesthetics and promote pedestrian access among other things.
 
According to First Selectman Simmons, “This project will be a real benefit to seniors, high school students and others who walk along South Broad Street; and I congratulate Planning Director Jason Vincent and his staff for their excellent work in applying also for these funds on very short notice earlier this year.”
 
The Board of Selectmen approved a Town Center Commercial Plan for South Broad Street in the vicinity of the High School. As identified in the Plan, this project is intended to close the gaps, and create pedestrian connectivity between the two main business destinations along the corridor, while creating more diversity in the transportation choices for residents.
 
The economic value of pedestrian connectivity, particularly walk-ability has long been recognized as an important strategy for business growth. For this neighborhood, there are two dozen commercial properties and four high-density residences that will benefit from enhanced mobility.
 
Selectman Michael Spellman, a Pawcatuck resident, was also excited about the team effort saying, “This funding is critical to connect the neighborhoods along Route 1 to downtown Pawcatuck and Route 1 businesses. It is an important step in revitalizing these places and continuing the path for this village to reach its significant potential.”
 
Final receipt of the funds is subject to State Bond Commission approval and a final agreement between the town and state. A target date for project implementation cannot be established until these administrative details are addressed.
 
This project is one of the implementation strategies identified in Stonington’s Plan of Conservation and Development, adopted in 2015. Efforts to implement the Plan are ongoing. 

The Stonington Department of Planning is a Town Charter-established agency that works under the direction of the First Selectman of the Town of Stonington. The team is comprised of land use and community development professionals, that work to implement recommendations in the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development, review land use applications, and enforce land use regulations.