The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en
Volume 14, Number 40
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Big investments give boost to Berlin projects Sidewalks part of $1 million in downtown improvements By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen Over the summer, residents may have noticed a significant amount of construction going on around the downtown commercial areas. That work is part of two projects the town has been pushing forward over the past several years and which are scheduled to be Citizen photo by Olivia L. Lawrence
Volunteer Park is being improved through the Streetscape project.
completed in mid-November. The Streetscape project will bring new sidewalks, lighting, signage, trees and other enhancements. Veterans Memorial Park (formerly Town Center Park next to Stop & Shop) will create a passive recreational site, community gathering spot and recognition for veterans in a central location. Among the highlights of these projects are: a twosided street clock to be installed at Volunteer Park; a large gazebo for community
events at Veterans Park; and a memorial to 9/11 victims to be installed in a small park in front of Kensington Fire Rescue. This last, to be built from steel recovered from the World Trade Towers. These two projects represent about a $1 million investment in the town’s central business district linked to Farmington Avenue. “This is the first phase of funding,” said Jim Mahoney, director of economic development. The Streetscape development is
part of the 2003 Plan of Conservation and Development and funding comes through grants from the Small Town Economic Assistance Program. The Veterans Park has a number of funding streams, including from the town. Jim Horbal, in the town’s engineering department, said the sidewalk work will close gaps and link sidewalks and add or improve crosswalks. American with Disabilities Act handicap
See Sidewalks, page 18
Percival Heights gets $700,000 makeover By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen
Percival Heights, a senior housing project located next to the Senior Center, on Colonial Drive, is in the midst of a $700,000 upgrade expected to be finished within a month. Berlin Housing Authority oversees the property and Chairman Joe Bajorski said
this is the first major overhaul, at the 30 unit facility, since it was built in the early 1980s. “It’s great, it’s going to be beautiful,” said a resident who asked that her name not be used. The woman has lived at Percival Heights for 25 years and was one of the first residents. She pointed out how the rehabilitation project had adapted her bath-
tub with a “cut” in the side that now lets her get in and out of the tub without stepping up and over it. A seat in the tub lets her sit while bathing. “I used to need a nurse to come in and help me, but now I can do it myself,” she said. That improvement is one of a myriad of upgrades un-
Citizen photo by Olivia L. Lawrence
See Housing, page 5
Percival Heights senior housing is getting an update.
STEAP grant gives $250,000 for train station By Olivia L. Lawrence The Berlin Citizen
Citizen photo by Olivia L. Lawrence
The Berlin Train Station offers Amtrak service. The area will be upgraded.
Officials announced last week that Berlin will be among several area towns to be awarded grants for projects to fix local roads, repair sewer lines and improve area historic sites. The grants, from the Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), provide financial assistance for projects that encourage economic development and preserve the character of the
state’s less-populated towns. The money will kick in for fiscal year 2011. The grant for Berlin is $250,000 to renovate the Berlin train station and parking area, an infusion of funds that local officials have been anticipating for a while. Located in the Kensington section of town, the Berlin Train Station is located on the New HavenSpringfield Amtrak line. The station was originally built in 1900. It is a proposed
stop on the planned New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail line. Mayor Adam Salina said, “I am extremely pleased that our state officials share our vision for this important landmark in our community. The train station and the surrounding area have been identified as an area for redevelopment and future economic growth. This grant will take us one step closer to
See Train, page 11