Westport Awarded Nearly $500K for Downtown Improvements

Westport was awarded a state grant of $497,595 to improve the town's downtown commercial infrastructure earlier this month.

“This grant will allow us to more rapidly implement Main Street curbing improvements, energy efficient lighting, and sidewalks that will enhance pedestrian access to downtown,” First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said.

“It comes at an opportune time when we are considering a master plan to improve downtown.”

The grant comes from the state's Main Street Investment Fund, which plays an "important role in strengthening economic development initiatives on the local level,” Governor Dannel Malloy said in a statement.

“This program is unique in that it builds a working partnership between state government and the smaller communities that are striving to strengthen their commercial centers and attract additional business. I applaud the leadership in Westport for their focus on creating accessible and livable downtowns.”"

The funds will be used to improve the center of town's street infrastructure and to enhance pedestrian sidewalk access from residential neighborhoods into the downtown center.  Funding will be used for sidewalk refurbishments, the installation of new sidewalks, improved energy efficient lighting, curbing, guardrails, and tree grates. 

The Public Works Department will implement the improvements on a timetable to be determined once details about the grant from the Main Street Improvement Fund are announced by Malloy, according to Joseloff.

Joseloff thanked Lou Gagliano, chairman of the Downtown 2020 Committee, and the committee's members for applying for the grant.  

“It shows the value of working together with dedicated citizens and what such efforts can achieve."

Joseloff added he is also grateful for the efforts of State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg (D-136) in helping secure the grant.

"Jonathan is intimately familiar with the challenges of improving our downtown and has long been active in the process.”

Steinberg, the former chair of the Downtown Planning Subcommittee (which led to the creation of the Downtown 2020 Committee), said the grant will "facilitate the pursuit of an ambitious program to enhance our downtown while preserving its historic and aesthetic character."

Jim Marpe, the Republican candidate for First Selectman, added his congratulations to Gagliano, Steinberg, and Director of Public Works Steve Edwards on securing the grant for Westport.

He thanked them for their "efforts and dedication in securing a nearly $500,000 grant from the state of Connecticut to improve the town's infrastructure, and making the downtown area safe and inviting for Westport residents."

The Downtown 2020 Committee will be meeting later this month with three consulting firms under consideration for drafting a master plan for downtown Westport. Click here for more information on the meetings, which are open to the public and will televised and streamed online.