nothin New Haven Independent | Wanted: New Ideas to Redevelop Train Station…

Wanted: New Ideas to Redevelop Train Station Area

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Have you ever wondered if there could be better linkage between the newly expanded Shoreline East Train Station and Branford’s Town Center? Could improvements in the half-mile radius around the train station tie in with the historic downtown and the waterfront? Are there opportunities for re-development?

Those are some of the topics up for discussion as the Town of Branford hosts the first public workshop for the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) study on Monday, May 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Canoe Brook Senior Center. The workshop is open to anyone who lives or works in Branford.

The half-mile radius around the train station includes the Branford River, Anchor Reef condominiums, the highly-successful Stony Creek Brewery, and the proposed Atlantic Wharf residential and retail complex. It also includes the Blackstone Memorial Library, Richland Plaza, the Canoe Brook Senior Center, and a variety of commercial and residential areas.

The second workshop will be held Thursday, June 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Branford Fire Headquarters community room. The workshops will allow participants time to share their thoughts on the goals and objectives for the train station area.

At Wednesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove urged everyone to attend the meetings.

The town is looking for suggestions and feedback from the public regarding potential improvements and re-development in the area surrounding the train station, which would serve as a transit hub.

“There is so much opportunity there. We want to know if the demand is there,” Town Planner Harry Smith told the Eagle. “This is an opportunity to create a process to understand what residents would like.”

The study is being funded by a $125,000 state grant. The Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission recently hired BFJ Planning of New York City, who also has an office in Stamford, to conduct the study.

Smith said some ideas involve improving the streetscape and sidewalks, and promoting both pedestrian and bicycle movement. He said the study will look at redevelopment possibilities and the potential need for more appropriate zoning regulations in that area.

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Smith said the study will also look at the market and what type of development could potentially occur that would increase the tax base. “It’s already happening,” Smith said in regard to plans to create the Atlantic Wharf residential and retail complex on the site of the former Atlantic Wire factory.

In addition to Monday’s workshop, there will be additional opportunities for discussion, including the second workshop, a survey, stakeholder interviews and focus groups.

“This outreach for public input will help to define a set of realistic and publicly supported development goals and objectives for the area,” according to a press release. “The study is supported by technical planning and market professionals so as to develop realistic development alternatives that consider potential impacts and/or constraints, parking, traffic, infrastructure, and other potential impacts on community facilities and services.”
Smith told the Eagle the study will result in possible solutions and recommendations and some concept drawings. “It should be wrapped up by the Fall,” he said in regard to the TOD study.

Another major planning event will also begin this summer when the P&Z holds public hearings for the town’s 10-year Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), which is slated for completion by the end of 2018.

Smith said the said the TOD study will be integrated with the POCD. “I see it dovetailing pretty well,” he said.

In addition to the workshops, comments may also be sent to [email protected].

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