Danbury Awarded $5 Million for Downtown Revitalization as Part of Statewide Community Investment Fund Grants
Danbury is set to receive a $5 million grant from the State of Connecticut to continue its “Downtown Revitalization: Streetscapes for the Future” initiative. The funding, approved this week by the State Bond Commission, will support Phase II of the project, which includes major streetscape enhancements along Main Street and surrounding corridors.
Governor Ned Lamont, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), and Speaker of the House Matt Ritter (D-Hartford) jointly announced the release of approximately $77 million in state funding through the Community Investment Fund 2030. This sixth round of grants supports 35 economic development projects in 21 towns and cities across the state.
Danbury’s Phase II project will improve pedestrian access and safety while enhancing the visual and functional quality of several key streets, including Main Street (Route 53) from Boughton Street to Crosby Street, Liberty Street, Independence Way, White Street, Elm Street, Post Office Walk, and Kennedy Avenue.
Additional Municipality Awards Include:
Municipality: All Community Investment Fund communities
Grant Recipient: CT Humanities Council
Award Amount: $250,000
Description: “Cultural Cohort” – Connecticut Humanities has a mission to champion the enduring value of public humanities in our lives and civil society. This planning grant will allow CT Humanities to assess the needs of 560 cultural organizations in the 55 CIF communities.
Municipality: Bridgeport
Grant Recipient: Green Village Initiatives Inc.
Award Amount: $250,000
Description: “Bridgeport Regional Food Hub” – Green Village Initiative is a nonprofit organization serving Bridgeport focused on addressing systemic inequities in the local food system through urban agriculture, education, and community empowerment. The Bridgeport Regional Food Hub and Community Empowerment Initiative is a planning project to develop a county-wide food hub in Bridgeport.
Municipality: Bridgeport
Grant Recipient: Mercy Learning Center
Award Amount: $250,000
Description: “Capital Improvement Planning” – Mercy Learning Center provides basic literacy and life skills training to women with low income using a holistic approach within a compassionate, supportive environment. CIF funding would finance specific assessments and plans to address elements that arise from the Organizational Strategic Plan and process prioritizing capital renovations and expansion.
Municipality: Bridgeport
Grant Recipient: Barnum Museum Foundation
Award Amount: $2,000,000
Description: “Barnum Museum Revitalization” – The Barnum Museum, a historic cultural institution in Bridgeport since 1893, provides educational programs, community events, and accessibility initiatives for diverse audiences. It engages thousands of students, families, and seniors through partnerships with schools and local organizations. The proposed project will continue the museum’s restoration, focusing on safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency.
Municipality: East Haven
Grant Recipient: Town of East Haven
Municipality: New Haven
Grant Recipient: United Way of Greater New Haven
Award Amount: $2,000,000
Description: “State and Chapel” – United Way of Greater New Haven works to address pressing local challenges in education, safe housing, food security, career development, financial education, and other essential services. United Way of Greater New Haven, in partnership with Beacon Communities and Columbus House, will utilize CIF support State and Chapel, a mixed-income, mixed-use, transit-oriented housing project in downtown New Haven.
Municipality: New Haven
Grant Recipient: Mary Wade Foundation
Award Amount: $700,000
Description: “Residential Care Home Modernization” – The Mary Wade Home is a senior care organization serving low-income seniors (65+) in Greater New Haven, providing a full continuum of medical and social support. Mary Wade Home will utilize CIF funding to further plans for a major renovation and expansion of the Boardman Residential Care Home to address safety concerns and improve living conditions.
Municipality: Norwalk
Grant Recipient: Open Door Shelter, Inc.
Award Amount: $250,000
Description: “Campus Expansion Project” – The mission of Open Doors is to end homelessness in the greater Norwalk region by guiding every person in the cycle of homelessness toward housing stability. Open Doors intends to develop a plan to expand its operations within the South Norwalk neighborhood by assessing its existing housing portfolio and exploring the acquisition of abutting properties.
Municipality: Norwalk
Grant Recipient: Friends of the Norwalk River Valley Trail
Award Amount: $1,500,000
Description: “Glover Ave Spur” – The Norwalk River Valley Trail is a recreational and transportation amenity in Norwalk and once completed will run from Danbury to Norwalk. This project proposes the completion of the Norwalk section of the Norwalk River Valley Trail.
Municipality: Stamford
Grant Recipient: Rippowam Corporation
Award Amount: $2,000,000
Description: “Oak Park Phase II” – Rippowam Corporation is the nonprofit development and asset management affiliate of the Housing Authority of the City of Stamford. Rippowam Corporation is requesting funding for the second of three planned phases to redevelop Oak Park, located on the East Side of Stamford, to rebuild to avoid areas of chronic flooding and to ensure accessibility for residents.
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