Millions for West Hartford
July 22, 2022
Today, West Hartford leaders including State Representatives Tammy Exum (D-West Hartford), Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford) and Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford), State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford), and West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, as well as Governor Ned Lamont, announced that as much as $8.905 million in state bond funding supporting important West Hartford projects was placed on the State Bond Commission's agenda for its July 29 meeting, indicating the funding will be released to support these community events.
Roughly $1.5 million of the funds will support rehabilitation of Park Road from Quaker Lane South to Prospect Avenue with pedestrian and bicycle improvements; $4 million will support the preservation of 65 affordable apartments; $1.91 million will contribute to construction of operational lanes on I-84 through West Hartford; and the Noah Webster House Museum will receive $415,000. The Bond Commission is also expected to release $1.08 million to support an extension of the Trout Brook Trail, which is hoped to eventually stretch 3.5 miles across West Hartford.
"I am pleased to see bonding dollars on the next meeting agenda to significantly support West Hartford’s future - especially the completion of the Park Road Rehabilitation project and renovations to the Noah Webster House Museum," said Rep. Farrar. "Park Road is a vibrant West Hartford business and residential neighborhood, and this project will help make the area more walkable, bikeable, and safer for all. The Noah Webster House is one of West Hartford’s historical treasures and this funding will help preserve this landmark and our town’s history," said State Representative Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford). "Thank you to Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission for investing in West Hartford."
"These state investments will improve quality of life for West Hartford residents and this will happen without putting more pressure on our local budget and property taxes," said Sen. Slap. "I am grateful to the Lamont administration for partnering with us and for understanding that property taxes alone cannot support important local projects. Mayor Cantor’s leadership helped to make this happen, as well as a legislative delegation that works collaboratively. I look forward to the bond commission officially approving these investments next week and continuing to strengthen our town."
"Whether running, biking, or walking, West Hartford residents enjoy our community's outdoor spaces," said Rep. Gilchrest. "I'm so appreciative to the Governor and Bond Commission for supporting these projects and contributing to a healthier and safer community."
“I want to thank Gov. Lamont and my colleagues in the West Hartford delegation for working collaboratively on these important investments in West Hartford," said Rep. Exum. "From the affordable housing for seniors to the improvements to Park Road, these projects will improve quality of life in our town and strengthen our economy.”
“I am glad that we can partner with West Hartford to advance these projects that will bring a number of improvements to the town,” said Governor Lamont, who serves as chairman of the Bond Commission. "Keeping our roads safe for commuters, pedestrians, and bicyclists is a critical component of what makes a community a livable place to do business and raise a family. In addition, these affordable housing investments offer tremendous benefits to the success of our state and our local communities.”
"I want to thank Governor Lamont and the West Hartford legislative delegation for working with the town to identify important projects that will make West Hartford an even better place to live, visit, work, play and retire," said Mayor Cantor. "This is a great example of all levels of government working together to support our local residents with projects that improve the quality of life with state funding. Therefore, these meaningful projects will be paid for through state funds and not the town's property taxes. My sincere appreciation for this assistance."
The State Bond Commission agenda for July 29 lists $1.5 million in funds for the Park Road rehabilitation project, which will include repaving the roadway, review and potential implementation of bicycle lanes, replacement of sidewalk surfaces, addition of traffic calming sidewalks and additions of business directories and a community event board. This will provide a clear and distinctive identity for Park Road, make visiting West Hartford easier and provide a gateway from Park Road to Hartford's Park Street and Parkville, representing significant economic opportunities for hundreds of small businesses.
An additional $4 million in funding will be used to provide a grant-in-aid to assist with the preservation of 65 affordable apartments on Starkel Road in West Hartford under the Flexible Housing Program, which provides quality, affordable housing for Connecticut residents supporting homeownership and mixed income developments.
In the agenda, $1.912 million in funding will be committed to the construction of operational lanes on Interstate 84 through West Hartford, part of a larger initiative to support and renovate state transportation infrastructure.
The Noah Webster House Museum will receive $415,000 in grant funding, according to the agenda, for renovations and improvements to the property.
The Bond Commission is expected to release an additional $1.08 million in funding to further develop the Trout Brook Trail, with funds supporting construction of a 2,900-foot stretch of multi-use trail connecting existing and future sections in an eventual 3.5-mile completed trail. The trail will provide not only recreational benefits but provide for local commuting and a foot-traffic connection to three different business districts in town.