MANSFIELD RECEIVES $4.9 MILLION GRANT FOR INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION HUB AND TRANSIT PATHWAY
Author: Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Inc.
07/13/2010
MANSFIELD, Conn. (July 13, 2010) – The Town of Mansfield and the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Inc. are pleased to announce that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded the Town a $4,940,000 grant for an Intermodal Transportation Hub and Transit Pathway as part of the Storrs Center project. Congressman Joe Courtney and FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff announced the award at a press conference in front of Mansfield’s Town Hall on Monday, July 12, 2010.
The Town of Mansfield worked with the Mansfield Downtown Partnership and Storrs Center master developer LeylandAlliance to prepare its application for the Intermodal Transportation Hub and Transit Pathway. Located in the heart of Storrs Center, the Intermodal Hub will provide a viable, centrally-located transfer station for University of Connecticut transit services, Windham Region Transit District (WRTD) local and express bus services, WRTD’s ADA Paratransit, demand response, Dial-A-Ride, and intercity bus services, and taxi service. Associated site improvements will include enhanced pedestrian and bicycle access.
The Town’s project was selected on a competitive basis through the Bus and Bus Livability Grant Program, part of the FTA’s efforts within the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Livability Initiative. Through this initiative, the DOT seeks to “enhance the economic and social well-being of all Americans by creating and maintaining a safe, reliable, integrated and accessible transportation network that enhances choices for transportation users, provides easy access to employment opportunities and other destinations, and promotes positive effects on the surrounding community.” The Town’s project was one of forty-seven projects selected nationwide from 281 applications.
Joining Congressman Courtney in announcing the award of the FTA grant were Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman. “With thousands of UConn students living nearby, the Storrs/Mansfield area is in dire need of a central transportation hub that connects commuters and students with bus, paratransit, and taxi services,” said Senator Dodd in a statement. “I’m glad to see our state receive this nearly $5 million grant, which will eventually help open up new transportation options to all those in the area.”
“This is a big win for Storrs and Mansfield,” added Senator Lieberman. “The funding from the Livability Initiative will spur job creation while improving access to and quality of public transportation, and I’m proud to see this competitive grant awarded to Connecticut.”
“This funding will make a world of difference to the UConn community, and will be a critical part of the effort to revitalize Mansfield and Storrs,” said Congressman Courtney. “Grants like this one are about economic development, job creation, and moving necessary projects forward. I am pleased that at Storrs Center, FTA and Mansfield will accomplish all three.”
During the press conference on Monday, Mansfield Mayor Elizabeth Paterson thanked Senators Dodd and Lieberman and Congressman Courtney for their continued support of the Storrs Center project, which will create a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented downtown in the heart of Mansfield’s civic core. Also on hand on Monday were members of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership Board of Directors, members of the Mansfield Town Council, representatives from LeylandAlliance, and supporters of Storrs Center.
Back to News