Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy on July 7 announced a $19.2 million package of state funding for six development and improvement projects in downtown Waterbury, as well as funding to redesign the signal system for Metro-North Railroad's Waterbury commuter branch.
Funding includes up to $7 million from Connecticut Department of Transportation for the rail line work.
The remaining $12.2 million supports six elements of the "Waterbury Next" initiative, Malloy said in a joint announcement with Mayor Neil O'Leary.
They include up to $5 million to redevelop the historic Howland Hughes building; $4 million for infrastructure downtown, including new pavement, curbs, basic street trees and lights, pavers, curb alignment and drainage, and upgrades to the west end of the city's green; and up to $1 million to acquire the Anamet contaminated brownfield site, which will enable a new mixed-use development and the creation of the Naugatuck Valley Greenway.
Other allocations are $1.2 million to replace the long-closed Prospect Street garage; $1 million to support the city's acquisition of the historic Rose Hill campus at 63 Prospect St., mostly recently the site of the Stepping Stones home for troubled girls, which closed.
Separately, up to $25,000 is available for an access and pre-development agreement with the owners of the Brown Building property, to explore new downtown housing units with a private developer.
