May 28, 2008
$10 MILLION GRANT FROM STATE FOR STORRS CENTER PARKING GARAGE PROVIDES MAJOR BOOST IN MOVING PROJECT FORWARD
Governor, Mansfield Downtown Partnership and LeylandAlliance Hail the Funding for
Critical Building in the Storrs Center Main Street Development
Storrs, CT…A $10 million grant for the first garage building to be constructed at Storrs Center was announced by Governor M. Jodi Rell in a special visit to Storrs earlier this month. The grant, which is expected to be approved by the State Bond Commission on May 30th, will fund approximately 70% of the projected cost of the structure, a key component of Storrs Center. Located at the crossroads of Mansfield and the University of Connecticut, the project will combine residential, retail, commercial, restaurant and entertainment uses and wonderful public spaces to create a true main street environment in the heart of the community.
In a prepared statement, Governor Rell observed, “This is our opportunity to shape a college town. UConn has become truly a world class institution and we are so proud of how far our flagship university has come in so short a time. Still, I think we would all agree that one key ingredient is missing at UConn – a town center that would provide Mansfield with a ‘college town’ look and feel. Great college towns have a spark. Think of Northampton, Williamstown and Cambridge in Massachusetts. Think of Durham, North Carolina. That spark comes not only from young blood but from community gatherings, literary events, book stores and cafes. These are places that have a strong, vibrant pulse. These funds will help turn the Storrs Town Center into an intellectual, cultural and economic hub. Storrs Town Center will be a national model and an example of the kind of responsible growth development Connecticut will continue to encourage. It will be a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly section of town that will be a beehive of activity. We are serious about stopping sprawl, preserving our state’s character and emphasizing responsible, controlled development.”
Speaking for the Mansfield Downtown Partnership, the public-private organization guiding the Storrs Center development, Executive Director
Cynthia van Zelm stated, “ This generous support from the State is greatly appreciated and serves as a confirmation of how important our development is not only to Mansfield but all of Connecticut. We are confident of the project advancing on all fronts.”
Macon Toledano, Vice President of Planning and Development for LeylandAlliance, adds, “The State’s grant is great news for our project. We view the garage as a critical component of the overall Storrs Center plan that will provide much-needed parking for the retail and commercial businesses as well as the residents that will reside there. With these substantial funds committed, and Federal appropriations already in place, we are working out the remaining details to finance the construction of the garage structure.”
Contact:
Harry Lassiter
(212) 688-4800
harry@thelassitercompany.com
Cynthia van Zelm
(860) 429-2740
vanzelmca@mansfieldct.org
