$400K State Grant Will Fund Streetscape in Deep River, Connecticut

DEEP RIVER - The goal of further beautifying Downtown Deep River is a step closer to reality thanks to a recently awarded $400,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grant.

First Selectman Dick Smith said he was pleased to hear that the town won a grant that will be used in conjunction with a $500,000 STEAP grant awarded last year.

"This allows us to complete phase 1 and phase 2 of the project," Smith said, explaining that phase 1 will involve upgrades to the west side of Main Street from Elm Street to Bridge Street while phase 2 goes from Main Street's west side from Bridge Street to Spring Street.

Smith expects that the east side of Main Street will go through similar upgrades later in the future.

Preliminary decisions for the project, such as types of lighting, brickwork, and necessary engineering, have already been completed for phase 1 and these decisions will be carried over for phase 2.

While granite curbing and brick sidewalk exists in portions of those areas, Smith said the project will upgrade those sections so that all of downtown will have a uniform look and feel.

"There will be full cut-off lighting and the light will reflect down to the sidewalk," Smith said.

These same improvements will be implemented by Turnpike Properties on the west side of Main Street between Walgreens and the Elms Building.

"The STEAP grant is a big plus for us because it helps us sell projects in town," Smith said.

Expecting construction to begin between April and June, Smith believes that the entire project will be completed by late fall.

Additionally, Smith is working to see if the curbing can come in by two or three feet on Main Street in front of Deep River Town Hall.

Smith believes moving the curbing in will not just make it safer for vehicles which park in front of the municipal building, but it will also make Main Street more attractive.

"We want to help people invest in our town," Smith said.

The STEAP grant awarded to Deep River is only one grant out of 83 projects in 72 towns being funded by a grand total of $19,714,058.

"The STEAP grants are a critical way of helping smaller towns grow, stay vital and maintain the charm that makes living in Connecticut so special," Governor M. Jodi Rell said.

"These projects range from improvements like lighting and seating in town centers and renovations of historic buildings to water, sewage, and municipal waste projects - items that may be a little less glamorous but are no less important. The residents of our communities benefit in ways large and small from programs such as this, and I am very pleased to see these projects moving forward."