City to receive $6.85 million from Community Investment Fund for Riverside Avenue improvement

Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano, second from right, attends the Community Investment Fund (CIF) 2030 Board meeting at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford on March 14, along with State Representatives Mary Fortier, third from left, and Joe Hoxha, far right, for announcement of Round 2 Community Investment Funding, for which Bristol received $6.8. From left to right – Matt Pugliese, Director of CIF of the Department of Economic and Community Development for the State of Connecticut; Rob Hotaling, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Economic and Community Development for the State of Connecticut; Fortier; Alexandra Daum, Commissioner, Department of Economic and Community Development for the State of Connecticut; Stephanie Thomas, Secretary of the State; Caggiano; and Joe Hoxha. | Photo courtesy of the Mayor's Office.

Posted By: Staff March 15, 2023

The city’s Streetscape project moved one step closer to completion with the announcement of a $6.85 million Community Investment Fund grant from the state’s department of economic and community development.

A Bristol delegation, including Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano and state representatives Mary Fortier and Joe Hoxha, were on hand for the announcement at the State Legislative Office Building on Tuesday.

Earlier, all members of the Bristol legislative delegation, including Hoxha and Fortier, along with state representative Cara Pavalock-D’Amato and state senator Henri Martin, signed a letter to the CIF board advocating for the grant.

The Streetscape project, or Rt. 72 Corridor Improvement Project, was announced several years ago and focuses on pedestrian safety and streetscape improvements on Riverside Avenue and Park Street.

The project will mirror elements already in place on North Main and Main Streets, and will include the installation of sidewalks, lighting, signage, trees, and curbing along the busy corridor. 

In addition, the city has several applications in the running for the next CIF round, including proposals for capital improvements submitted by several non-profits on Riverside Avenue, to be considered by CIF in the near future.

Among these are the BHA/Vesta Group’s redevelopment of the Sessions Factory into housing, plans for expansion and improvements to American Legion Post #2, improvements at the New England Carousel Museum, and potential upgrades to the Disabled American Veteran’s facility that will continue to seek funds in future rounds.

The next round of applications for CIF will be reviewed in May 2023.

The Community Investment Fund was established by the State Legislature in 2021 to support economic development in distressed communities by providing grants for capital projects to municipalities and non-profit entities operating in those cities and towns.

The proposals must advance the state’s Economic Action Plan by promoting jobs, fostering vibrant neighborhoods, and addressing climate resilience as well as the specific needs of underserved or marginalized groups.

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