Torrington Municipal Development Plan Formally Approved by State

September 16, 2009; In a September 2, 2009 letter to Mayor Ryan Bingham the Department of Economic & Community Development Commissioner formally approved the Torrington Development Corporation's plan prepared for the City of Torrington.

Commissioner Joan McDonald wrote that the plan is consistent with the state program objectives for development and has met all necessary resolutions, approvals. The letter stipulated that certain statutes will need to be met in the future, and that the City Council is required to review the plan at least once every 10 years.

In his statement Ryan Bingham said he was satisfied with progress and encouraged to see that work on the next phase of the plan is already under way. "This approval fits nicely with the recently received Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) providing $365,000 for sidewalks and improvements on Water Street. This process will blend nicely into a consistent finished product in both plans," Bingham added.

Vic Muschell, President of TDC said he is elated with the approval. "We expected it, but it is nice to have the approval in hand." Muschell added, "People need to be reminded that this is the farthest this downtown revival project has ever gone. We still have a long way to go."

Bill Baxter, Executive Director of the TDC indicated that survey work by the consultant Milone and MacBroom is underway. "The company has its crews on the street as we speak," he added. Baxter indicated that discussions with key stakeholders in the downtown area are already underway to keep all parties informed and to seek information and advice. "We are working to keep issues and concerns up on the table at all times," Baxter added.

The TDC plans to bring the Phase 1 plan including the City Hall Avenue extension and a redesigned Main Street, East Main Street and Water Street intersection to a formal public hearing in January. Atty. Peter Herbst chairs the Project Committee charged with oversight of the Phase 1 project. "When completed this phase of the downtown project will represent about 35-40% of the entire project objectives," Herbst added.