$7.5 Million Awarded to Manchester
MANCHESTER DELEGATION CHEERS COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND APPROVAL OF $7.5 MILLION FOR 'DOWNTOWN FOR ALL' STREETSCAPE REDEVELOPMENT
Today, the Manchester legislative delegation including State Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester), House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, State Representative Jeff Currey, State Representative Geoff Luxenberg and State Representative Jason Doucette, welcomed the Connecticut Community Investment Fund 2030 Board's approval of $7.5 million to Manchester to fund the redevelopment of the town's Main Street and Downtown areas, with intent for the redevelopment to benefit pedestrians and bicyclists through enhanced safety.
The CIF2030 said this award will go toward the redesign of Manchester's Main Street to become more accessible and safer for pedestrians and bicyclists through methods including traffic calming strategies for improved traffic flow and added bike lanes and pedestrian walkways to improve safety.
"When reports of pedestrians and bicyclists hit by vehicles are growing around the state, this funding will help keep Manchester safe and make sure folks can visit Main Street's library, Town Hall, great restaurants and many businesses with increased safety," said Sen. Rahman. "It's a useful and beneficial investment that will serve Downtown Manchester well, and I'm grateful to Governor Lamont and the Investment Fund for their support of our local residents."
“Investments in pedestrian and bicyclist safety contribute to enhanced quality of life and economic activity in our neighborhoods,” Majority Leader Rojas said. “This is great news for Downtown Manchester and area businesses as well. I thank Governor Lamont and the Investment Fund for prioritizing this funding item and look forward to the improvements ahead.”
“This funding is a victory for the Town and also its residents,” Rep. Currey said. “Improving the safety of our roads and sidewalks makes downtown Manchester accessible for everyone. I am grateful to see this investment for improved safety being made in the heart of the community and excited for residents and visitors to walk, bike and drive on Main Street, knowing the only thing they need to worry about is what shops or restaurants they are going to visit.”
“I am thrilled to see the Downtown For All project on the CIF Agenda and I thank the Board for their support of this worthy initiative, which is so important to the Town of Manchester.” said Rep. Doucette (D-Glastonbury, Manchester). “This funding will be transformational in revitalizing our downtown and will provide much-needed support for the infrastructure related to the library project, which was overwhelmingly approved by Manchester’s voters in 2022.”
“This investment in the heart of Manchester will make our town safer for pedestrians and bicyclists and provide much-needed infrastructure improvements ahead of our new library,” said Rep. Luxenberg, whose district lies solely in Manchester. “I appreciate the support of the Community Investment Fund for this project.”