Five projects will receive approximately $8.5 million in state funding under the second phase of the 2017 Responsible Growth and Transit Oriented Development Grants. The competitive grant program supports transit-oriented development and responsible growth in the state and is targeted at boosting economic activity and creating jobs.
Danbury is receiving $200,000 for the City's Downtown Streetscape Project. The money will help prepare design drawings and construct sidewalk and other improvements near the Train Station. The overhaul includes the new construction or replacement of sidewalks, intersection improvements, landscaping, removal and installation of street trees, ornamental lighting, and pedestrian access improvements detailed in the Downtown Transit Oriented Development Planning Study.
In April 2017, the state released a request for applications for the grant program, and the State Bond Commission approved a total of $15 million to be used – comprised of $5 million from the Responsible Growth Incentive Fund and $10 million from the Transit-Oriented Development and Pre-development Fund. Following that, OPM – with input from other state agencies – reviewed, rated, and ranked each of the proposals. The first round of grants were released in December 2017 and totaled $4.5 million.
