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| Our mission is to be the catalyst that ignites Connecticut's Main Streets as the cornerstone of thriving communities. |
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Springtime on Main Street
Although winter seems intent on sticking around, spring is equally persistent, with buds and blooms optimistically emerging from the ground. Spring is a wonderful time to visit our downtowns and main streets as the warm sunshine and long days invite shoppers and visitors. At CMSC, we're also visiting our downtowns, discussing the economic value of vibrant main streets, showcasing their resurgence, and getting ready for our upcoming awards celebration. Scroll down for more!
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UIL Holdings Corporation Supports Vibrant Downtowns with Contribution to CMSC
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CMSC
member communities will continue to benefit from our educational offerings, technical assistance and downtown advocacy, thanks to a $10,000 contribution from UIL Holdings Corporation. CMSC is thrilled to recognize UIL for their long-standing generosity and support of our work and programs. Like us, UIL Holdings Corporation recognizes the economic and social value of healthy downtowns and main streets, and is committed to seeing them thrive.
Our work would not be possible without the continued support of sponsors like UIL Holdings Corporation, and we thank them for helping us be CT's one-stop resource for downtown revitalization and management!
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CMSC Announces 2018 Awards of Excellence Winners
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Seven initiatives have been chosen to receive the prestigious awards
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including organizations and initiatives from Danbury, Hartford, New London, Wallingford, and Windsor, as well as the CT Trust for Historic Preservation and the State of Connecticut. The winners will be celebrated during CMSC's VIBRANT MAIN STREETS celebration in Danbury on June 4th.
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Westville Village Advances "New Urbanist" Vision
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New Haven Independent Photo Credit: Thomas Breen |
The New Haven Independent reported "city planners voted unanimously to approve the creation of a new zoning district for Westville Village that they hope will serve as a model for how to use zoning regulations to encourage dense, diverse, mixed-use economic development throughout the city." The new regulation encourages mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly development such as barbershops and dance schools with residential units on the upper floors, but will prohibit convenience stores, pawn shops, pay day loans, and drive-through businesses. The proposed changes are now awaiting a vote by the full Board of Alders for final approval.
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City Council Approves Funding for Reid & Hughes Building
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| Norwich Bulletin Photo Credit: Aaron Flaum |
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The Norwich City Council cleared the way for the stabilization of the Reid & Hughes building on Main Street by unanimously authorizing the city manager to sign off on amended language that would contribute $150,000 towards the project. The preferred developer, the Women's Institute of Housing and Economic Development, hopes to convert the space to a mixed-use building including veteran's housing and ground level shopping. This follows the Reid & Hughes building's participation in CMSC's Come Home to Downtown program, where CMSC and a consultant team worked with the Norwich Community Development Corporation to provide customized technical assistance and viable recommendations for mixed-use redevelopment options for the building.
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SHPO Holding 2nd Annual Statewide Preservation Conference
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The State Historic Preservation Office conference will explore the theme of Shared Stewardship, and explore ways communities, governments and advocates can engage new participants and reinforce partnerships to enhance the state through historic preservation. Connecticut residents, staff of municipal and regional governments, planners, students, and people interested in Connecticut's cultural heritage are encouraged to attend.
Click for more information and to register.
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DECD Supports Local Products with "Connecticut Made" Logo
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▪ CMSC CEO Joining Greenwich Panel Discussion on Enhancing State's Economic Competitiveness -
Patrick McMahon will join a panel discussion focused on ways to enhance economic competitiveness around the state, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Greenwich. Key areas of discussion will include transportation, business attraction and retention, commercial, residential and transit-oriented development, downtown revitalization and climate change resiliency. The event takes place on April 24th. Click to learn more.
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New Design Handbook Available from Main Street America -
Main Street America released a new Main Street Approach Design Handbook, the first in a suite of updated Four Point guides. The Design Guide is intended to help Main Street directors and community leaders implement a people-centered design process in their downtowns and commercial districts.
Click to learn more.
▪ Material Available from March BRIDGE Series with
CTData Collaborative
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Rachel Leventhal-Weiner from the CT Data Collaborative
led a lively discussion on how downtown and industry professionals can expand their data literacy, critically assess data, and collect useful information to create a compelling Main Street case at our recent BRIDGE Series event on March 23rd. Information from that event is now available on CMSC's website, including Rachel's presentation and a list of trusted data sources.
▪ 2018 Awards Sponsorships Available - CMSC is accepting sponsorships for our 2018 VIBRANT MAIN STREETS Awards program in Danbury. This popular event draws a broad cross-section of downtown professionals, municipal officials and key stakeholders while showcasing the best in Main Streets across Connecticut. CMSC offers a broad range of sponsorship opportunities. View our sponsorship brochure (pages 5-6) or email kim@ctmainstreet.org to learn more
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