Stratford receives $200K for transit-oriented development

Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management recently announced it awarded the town of Stratford a $200,000 grant for transportation-related improvements around the Stratford train station as part of a transit-oriented development plan.

Plans include developing routes and lanes for bicyclists, improvements for pedestrians and measures to calm car traffic within a half-mile radius around the station. Green infrastructure best practices also will be incorporated to improve air, soil and water quality and protect the town from flooding, town officials said.

“A transit-oriented focus to developing Stratford Center will bring much-needed foot traffic and could lead to additional parking and opportunities for the many small businesses there,” Mayor John A. Harkins said in a statement. “The transit-oriented development outgrowth will relate to the town’s plan of conservation development, which was unanimously approved by the planning commission in 2013.”

Town officials said the transit-oriented district is an attempt to spur economic development and revitalize the neighborhood for residents, commuters, businesses and visitors.