MANCHESTER DEMOCRATS’ WORK PAYS OFF – BROAD STREET REVITALIZATION TO MOVE FORWARD
Senator Mary Ann Handley and Representative Ryan Barry work with Manchester Democrats to ensure Bond money for Streetscape.
Yesterday Senator Mary Ann Handley (D-4) and Representative Ryan Barry (D-12) announced that the state bond package included $4 million dollars for the Broad Street Revitalization Project.
Senator Handley said, “I am happy to see the Broad Street project included in the bond bill which we passed yesterday in the Senate and House. This revitalization effort can be the beginning of a whole new commercial district in the center of Manchester. The beautification plans and the reorganizing of traffic patterns will give a lift to the entire area and encourage the development of new business in the Parkade district.”
Rep. Barry followed by adding, "I am very pleased to be announcing that the funding for this project is in the state bond package. There is no doubt in my mind that this project will help improve pedestrian safety and consumer accessibility and, perhaps most importantly, improve economic development opportunities in the Broad Street area. Mary Ann and I, along with the rest of the legislative delegation and Democratic Directors, worked very hard to ensure that this project would continue moving forward and I am certain that when finished, it will add another jewel to the Manchester community."
Mayor Josh Howroyd, who also dedicated a great deal of time to the project said, “I can’t say enough about the efforts of Mary Ann, Ryan, the rest of the Manchester delegation, the Democratic Directors and the town staff. They kept the pressure on the state and articulated a very persuasive argument as to why this project needs to go forward. The benefits are many: improved economic development, increased safety and a commitment to enhancing the appeal of the Broad Street Retail District. We have much work to do, but this is a wonderful step forward.”
The receipt of this money follows a commitment from the state of $400,000 to conduct a study on the area to upgrade the area infrastructure. The project will provide for the following:
Senator Handley said, “I am happy to see the Broad Street project included in the bond bill which we passed yesterday in the Senate and House. This revitalization effort can be the beginning of a whole new commercial district in the center of Manchester. The beautification plans and the reorganizing of traffic patterns will give a lift to the entire area and encourage the development of new business in the Parkade district.”
Rep. Barry followed by adding, "I am very pleased to be announcing that the funding for this project is in the state bond package. There is no doubt in my mind that this project will help improve pedestrian safety and consumer accessibility and, perhaps most importantly, improve economic development opportunities in the Broad Street area. Mary Ann and I, along with the rest of the legislative delegation and Democratic Directors, worked very hard to ensure that this project would continue moving forward and I am certain that when finished, it will add another jewel to the Manchester community."
Mayor Josh Howroyd, who also dedicated a great deal of time to the project said, “I can’t say enough about the efforts of Mary Ann, Ryan, the rest of the Manchester delegation, the Democratic Directors and the town staff. They kept the pressure on the state and articulated a very persuasive argument as to why this project needs to go forward. The benefits are many: improved economic development, increased safety and a commitment to enhancing the appeal of the Broad Street Retail District. We have much work to do, but this is a wonderful step forward.”
The receipt of this money follows a commitment from the state of $400,000 to conduct a study on the area to upgrade the area infrastructure. The project will provide for the following:
- Improving Broad Street's two major intersections with Center Street and West Middle Turnpike
- Making structural roadway improvements that include addressing pavement failures, modifying/adding roadway drainage to eliminate ponding, and replacing the existing culvert
- Reducing the number and size of curb cuts in problem areas; better define driveways and curb cuts
- Creating a uniform roadway width by narrowing it from 44 to 38 feet throughout
- Installing continuious sidewalks with standardized grass snow shelves on both side of the street
- Installing uniform curbing materials along the entire length of the street with concrete entrance aprons
- Installing colored, textured crosswalks at four locations
- Installing median islands, gateway landscaping, and improved lighting, and plant street trees to soften the visual landscape and create an attractive invitation for business patronage.
The overall goals of the project are:
- Improved pedestrian access, scale and safety
- Improved functionality and infrastructure
- Improved visual appeal and overall appearance.
Sen. Handley and Rep. Barry concluded by saying that the package includes $2 million for the next two years and that the project awaits final approval from the State Bond Commission, which is chaired by Governor M. Jodi Rell.
