Bethel and Wilton receive downtown-improvement funds

Thirteen municipalities across Connecticut ”“ including two in Fairfield County ”“ will share $5 million in grants to develop or improve their commercial districts.

Bethel and Wilton in Fairfield County are part of an effort to attract small businesses, grow jobs and improve pedestrian access and livability in town centers via the grants, according to the governor”™s office, which made the announcement.

The grants are part of the state”™s Main Street Investment Fund, which is administered through the state Department of Housing.

Bethel will receive $290,149 to improve the town”™s commercial center. The project ”“ to include new sidewalks, accessibility ramps, signage, streetscape and safety improvements ”“ is designed to create a walkable and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant downtown by improving public safety and pedestrian access, creating a community gathering place and increasing recreational opportunities, the governor”™s office said.

Wilton plans to put its $425,000 award toward the Wilton Center sidewalk restoration project in the town center. This project, which will also address various concerns related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, will provide public sidewalks within the vehicle travel way. The new Wilton sidewalks will dovetail with already-completed downtown improvements such as the installation of benches, concrete roadway curbing, 75 decorative street lamps, seasonal flower pot arrangements and the 2010 completion of the Veteran”™s Memorial Green.

“These grants are a great way for the state to support our cities and towns in their efforts to develop and improve their commercial centers,” said Gov. Dannel Malloy. “This program responds to the unique needs of individual communities all around the state by creating partnerships with local governments and merchants to improve aesthetics and pedestrian access, attract new businesses, new customers, and new residents ”” ultimately breathing new life into our smaller commercial centers.”

The Main Street Investment Fund provides awards of no more than $500,000 to be used for expenses such as building improvements, signage, lighting and streetscape improvements. Other grants in this round of funding went to Berlin, Coventry, Farmington, New London, Newington, Norfolk, Pomfret, Rocky Hill, Seymour, Vernon and Windsor.