
city of ansonia
A photo released by the city showing work to be performed as part of a $385,000 state grant.
ANSONIA — The city will use a $385,000 grant from the state to make safety improvements downtown.
The project will include new sidewalks, “bump-outs,” better lighting, new signs, and re-timed traffic lights.
“The safety of our community should always be a top priority,” State Rep. Linda Gentile, D‑Ansonia, said in a prepared statement. “There are so many great benefits from Ansonia’s economic health to the physical health of our residents in addition to improved safety that will come with new sidewalks and improved lighting.
“With this grant we have an opportunity to make Ansonia healthier and safer for all ages to walk and enjoy the great things our community has to offer,” Gentile said. “I thank the Governor for this investment in our town.”
City officials said the work will focus on making it easier for people to get to and from the train station on West Main Street.
“We did a Road Safety audit in 2016 and that audit was used to point out all of the deficiencies on Main Street,” Mayor David Cassetti said in an e‑mail. “We are working towards a total transformation on Main Street.”
The mayor highlighted the many new restaurants downtown, which have helped bring foot traffic to Main Street.
The ultimate, goal, the mayor said, is to make Main Street “the jewel of the Valley.”
The mayor thanked the state Department of Transportation, which will administer the grant, “for recognizing that our Main Street could use some help.”
Sheila O’Malley, the city’s grants writer and economic development director, said the grant will help the city “make a safe bike-pedi route from downtown to the train station.”
“The timing is good because, as you know we are hoping to have additional residential units built with the focus on living, commuting on the trains and shopping in the downtown area which is already filled with activity,” O’Malley said. “Our ultimate goal continues to be increased foot traffic and making a livable downtown.”
The city is negotiating to finalize a deal with developer Jerry Nocerino for the sale of the so-called ATP and Palmer buildings for an apartment project.
The outline of the deal was first approved by Aldermen last May.
Ansonia Corporation Counsel John Marini said there was Wednesday there was nothing new yet to report about the talks, which have focused on parking concerns.
Ansonia’s $385,000 grant was among of total of more than 40 awarded to municipalities in the state, totaling $12.4 million.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced the grants last week.
“Modernizing and updating our transportation infrastructure – including making accessible neighborhoods for pedestrians and bicyclists – is critical if we want to have thriving towns where families want to live, businesses can flourish, and communities succeed,” Malloy said. “These grants are targeted toward strengthening our towns and cities and fostering growth in our local economies.”