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Milestones

The Mansfield Downtown Partnership, Inc. has reached many important milestones in its efforts to create the new downtown for Mansfield, Storrs Center.

Below are some highlights of their work.

For more information, please contact the Partnership office at 860.429.2740 or mdp@mansfieldct.org. 

Planning

Creating a downtown from scratch involves careful planning.  Before construction can begin, there are many necessary steps to ensure a successful project.  The Partnership has made significant progress in this area, with the completion of the following:

Construction

Other prerequisites to construction for a project such as Storrs Center include various town, state, and federal permits.  To date, the following approvals have been received:

Grants

The Town of Mansfield has received a number of state and federal grants for use in the creation of Storrs Center, including:

  • STEAP Grant of $200,000 for infrastructure in the Town Square area of Phase 1 of Storrs Center, 2009
  • FY2009 Federal Omnibus Budget: $712,500 for Phase One of Storrs Center, 2009
  • $10 Million Grant from the State of Connecticut for an intermodal facility/parking garage in Storrs Center, 2008
  • DECD Urban Action Grant of $2.5 Million for streetscape improvements to Storrs Road, 2007
  • DOT Grant of $490,000 for construction of an intermodal facility/parking garage in Storrs Center, 2007
  • DOT Grant of $1.173 Million for streetscape improvements to Storrs Road, 2006
  • DOT Grant of $2.5 Million for streetscape improvements to Storrs Road, 2005
  • USDA Rural Development Grants of $50,000 and $90,000 for the creation of the Municipal Development Plan for the Town of Mansfield and Storrs Center, 2004 and 2003 respectively
  • STEAP Grant of $500,000 for construction of the first phase of Storrs Center, 2003
  • STEAP Grant of $500,000 for construction of the pedestrian walkway and creation of the Municipal Development Plan for the Town of Mansfield and Storrs Center, 2002
  • USDA Rural Development Grant of $35,000 for the completion of an Economic Study for Storrs Center, 2002

To date, the Town of Mansfield has received over $18 Million in State and Federal funding for the creation of Storrs Center, testament to the broad support for a project that will enhance the economic strength of the Town and the region while promoting environmental sustainability through careful planning, preservation, and density of uses.

Tenanting

Master developer LeylandAlliance is in the midst of the tenanting process for Storrs Center with a current emphasis on Phase 1A.  LeylandAlliance has partnered with Live Work Learn Play and Cushman & Wakefield to work with the Partnership to create a vibrant mix of shops, cafés, offices, and restaurants that will appeal to a wide range of ages and interests.  To date, the following businesses have signed letters of intent to participate in the first phase of Storrs Center:

  • The Vanilla Bean Café (for a new concept in Storrs Center)
  • Moe’s Southwest Grill
  • Storrs Automotive (relocating from Dog Lane)
  • Travelplanners (relocating from the Marketplace building)
  • Wings Over Storrs (relocating from the Marketplace building)
  • Campus Cuts (relocating from the Marketplace building)
  • Body Language (relocating from the Marketplace building)

Awards and Recognition

The Mansfield Downtown Partnership’s efforts on behalf of the Town of Mansfield and the University of Connecticut in creating Storrs Center have earned recognition within the state and nationally.

  • 1,000 Friends of Connecticut saluted Storrs Center as one of two exemplary “smart growth” projects in the state in November 2008.
  • CT Main Street Center recognized the Partnership with its 2008 Award of Excellence: Community and Consensus-Building at its annual meeting in June 2008.

Downtown Partnership

Storrs Center

Town of Mansfield · Audrey P Beck Municipal Building · 4 South Eagleville Road · Storrs-Mansfield, CT 06268 ·
Town Manager's Office: (860) 429.3336