Mae Flexer

Windham Legislative Delegation Announces Funding for Downtown Transportation Center

Bond Commission set to approve critical investments at its September 20th meeting

WINDHAM, CT— Senator Mae Flexer, Representatives Susan Johnson and Linda Orange, and town officials today announced the expected approval of $6 million for the Windham Intermodal Transportation Center on Walnut Street in Willimantic. After years of work by state and local leaders, the State Bond Commission is slated to approve the grant-in-aid to assist with development of the 290-space parking garage and transportation center when it meets Thursday, September 20 in Hartford.

“This transportation center will be a critical component of a vibrant and thriving downtown Willimantic. I’m proud that the state has been such a key partner in investing in our community,” said Sen. Flexer (D-Danielson). “The center has taken many years of advocacy, but thanks to leaders in the town, the leadership of our state delegation, and Lt. Governor Wyman and Governor Malloy, this project is finally going to become a reality. This transportation center will be key to the growth of our small businesses in downtown Willimantic. It will also allow the town to be connected to other transportation systems throughout the region, meeting a critical need in our community.”

“After years of persistently advocating for this parking garage facility, I am thrilled that funding has finally been prioritized and expected to be approved next week,” said Rep. Johnson (D-Windham). “Our town has suffered from parking shortages for far too long, creating inconveniences for many of our residents, businesses, and visitors. This investment will not only alleviate this situation, but will also generate jobs that will fuel our local economy. I look forward to seeing our years of hard work and commitment coming to fruition with this facility.”

“This money awarded by the State Bond Commission is an asset to the Willimantic business district,” said Rep. Orange (D-Colchester, Lebanon, Mansfield, Windham). “Parking shortages have long been a problem for a town of Windham. With these funds, we will increase traffic to the business district, and Windham is sure to see a great economic growth as a result. I thank the State Bond Commission for their investment in our community.”

“We’re very excited about this,” said Windham Town Manager James Rivers. “This is a cornerstone project that will boost many downtown activities and relieve a tight parking situation in Main Street area. The new regional bus stop will also help link us with surrounding towns and the University of Connecticut. We thank our state delegation for all their many years of hard work on this project.”

“This is really great a great step forward for economic development in the Town of Windham,” said Town Council Chairman Thomas DeVivo. “I’m so pleased to see this funding finally come through, thanks to the hard work of our elected state officials and the governor’s office.”

The project is estimated to cost $8 million, with municipal funds and federal covering the rest of the total cost. The Town of Windham has experienced parking shortages in the Willimantic downtown business district for many years. In 1996, a parking study recommended a parking garage be constructed on Walnut Street, in the location of an existing surface parking lot. Upon receipt of federal seed funds, the design of a transportation center and parking garage was started. The proposed facility will have 270 parking spaces. The facility will have a façade townhouse concept to blend in with existing buildings. The facility will contain retail space, a regional bus stop, an information kiosk, electric car charging stations, and bicycle racks.