April 29, 2011

MONEY RELEASED FOR MANCHESTER’S BROAD STREET

By Ed Jacovino, Journal Inquirer

HARTFORD — Manchester is now slated to receive $3 million in state funding for a reconstruction of Broad Street near the abandoned part of the Parkade strip mall, after the money was approved for release Friday by the State Bond Commission.

The money will go toward the town’s “streetscape” project, which has been in the works for six years. Plans call for reconstructing Broad Street between Center Street and East Middle Turnpike to make the street and lanes uniform widths, fix drainage problems, and add sidewalks on both sides. Garden medians, brick-paved crosswalks, and trees to camouflage overhead power lines also are part of the plan.

Members of Manchester’s legislative delegation celebrated the news this month when they learned the funding was likely to be released.

“This $3 million is a wonderful investment in our community, the redevelopment of Broad Street, and its old Parkade plaza.” Democratic Rep. John W. Thompson said.

The Bond Commission, which gives the final approval for state borrowing and releases the funds for lawmaker-approved projects, also released nearly $90 million of state money to build the controversial New Britain-to-Hartford busway, as well as funding technology upgrades at community colleges in Manchester and Enfield.

In Manchester, the Broad Street project is expected to cost $5 million. The town’s Board of Directors has earmarked $2 million to match the state funds, but the town’s borrowing hasn’t been authorized yet. The money could come from the $8 million in bonding that voters approved in 2009 for a larger Broad Street and Parkade redevelopment plan.

Plans for Broad Street include tearing down vacant buildings in and near the Parkade and turning the property over to a developer for a mix of small retail, residential, and entertainment uses. Walking trails along nearby Bigelow Brook and into Center Springs Park also are envisioned.