Shelton eyes downtown sidewalk, lighting improvements

SHELTON — A large section of downtown sidewalks will be getting an upgrade.

The Board of Aldermen, at its meeting Thursday, approved use of $563,000 – funds received as part of the Community Connectivity Grant Program – to install 104 ADA compliant curb ramps and replace sidewalks along Howe Avenue, from Brook Street to Myrtle Street and surrounding areas.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation awarded the funds as part of $11.7 million given to 17 municipalities for infrastructure improvements to make conditions safer and more accessible for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users.

The announcement of this work comes weeks after several downtown restaurants joined forces to demand what they called minor improvements that could spark major financial success for all businesses along the corridor.

Owners of Calaroso Eatery & Bar, Bar 140, Porky’s Cuppy’s, Center Street Social, Tacomida and Chaplin have formed the Downtown Shelton Bar & Restaurant Co-operative, which they state is a nonpolitical group dedicated to working with city and state officials to “turn talk into action.”

Some of the requests, the group states, are striping the parking spaces along Howe Avenue and Center Street — a move the owners say could help add multiple spaces — and the post office parking lot. The owners also want garbage cans placed on the sidewalks and better lighting along the roadways.

Mat Calandro, owner of Calaroso Eatery & Bar, said there have been many positive changes since the group first came together as a formal organization.

He said downtown businesses are pleased with the increased police presence, the installation of garbage cans, improved litter removal and the placement of decorations for the holiday season.

He said the aldermen have also stated they are in favor of striping parking spaces along the street and in the post office parking lot. He said these areas will be repaved by the state and the expectation is that striping will be done after that work is complete.

“All great things,” Calandro said.

The business community has set up a light post sponsorship program using UI’s Light the Night program. Businesses, stakeholders and individuals can sponsor the post (covering the operating cost of the light) so it’s no cost to the city with the exception of a one-time expense of installing conduit in the ground and setting the bases. UI provides lights and wire.

Calandro said among their business group they were able to get half the posts needed sponsored and “have no doubt that we’ll be able to get them all sponsored.”

Calandro said this program has been presented to city leaders for their approval.