Rep. Frey Announces Grant Award for Two Ridgefield Projects Totaling $500,000

HARTFORD—Just a few short weeks after announcing his pivotal role in securing Ridgefield’s place in a pilot program to install centerline rumble strips on state roads, State Representative John Frey (R-Ridgefield) announced today that the Town of Ridgefield would be receiving $500,000 in grants from the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) to continue the Danbury Road Streetscape Project and to begin work on exterior improvements to Town Hall. 

“I spent quite a bit of time helping to secure these funds for Ridgefield,” Rep. Frey said. “We have been doing great work in improving Main Street and our business district, and seeing the need to keep the momentum going, I personally met with the Governor’s senior staff on multiple occasions to explain the necessity of the projects. Today I can happily announce that our projects have been approved and Ridgefield will be receiving the maximum $500,000 in state assistance.” 

The Danbury Road Streetscape Project is currently in its third phase, and has been funded exclusively with STEAP funds, this year receiving $320,000. The multi-phase project consists of of pedestrian, landscaping, and electrical upgrades to Danbury Road (Route 35), which serves as the gateway to the Ridgefield’s commercial district. This current phase will add 15 new streetlights and 348 feet of new sidewalk, and will provide for the retrofitting of 9 handicapped ramps between Grove and South Streets. 

The Town Hall improvements are a new project for this year, and will be receiving $180,000 in STEAP funding. The work to be completed includes the removal of existing masonry and vegetation, and reconstructing the walkaways and stairs to improve the safety of the site. There will also be new lighting, paving, drainage improvements, and plantings to improve the site’s appeal and safety.“I want to thank Governor Malloy for his acknowledgement of the great benefit of and willingness to fund these programs,” Rep. Frey added. 

The Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) funds economic development, community conservation and quality of life projects for localities that are ineligible to receive Urban Action bonds.  This program is administered by the Office of Policy and Management. Localities may receive up to $500,000 per year if (1) their population is under 30,000, (2) they are not designated as a distressed municipality or a public investment community, and (3) the State Plan of Conservation Development does not show them as having an urban center. There are 143 municipalities eligible to apply for the STEAP grants, which are highly competitive.  Few towns receive a maximum commitment of $500,000.
 
Each year, Rep. Frey meets with Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi and Town Engineer Charles Fischer to discuss possible, shovel ready eligible projects ready for funding and from there they make a request on behalf of the Town of Ridgefield. “This process has worked well for us,” said Rep. Frey.  ”We each know what our role is and the proof of our success is that we’ve never been denied and usually are funded at the maximum amount requested."

Prior projects funded by STEAP grants awarded to Ridgefield include funding for traffic signals at Route 7 and Laurel Ridge, parking improvements to old high school complex, resurfacing and beautifying Bailey Avenue Municipal Parking (underway), two phases of Danbury Road streetscape improvements and planning for Bennett’s Pond Property.