The Connecticut General Assembly’s Commerce Committee is considering an additional $2 million dollars for Shelton’s downtown revitalization. In a hearing on February 8, the committee heard testimony from community leaders on Shelton’s ongoing efforts to rejuvenate Canal Street and the area along the Housatonic River.

The bill under discussion (SB-340) is sponsored by State Senator Dan Debicella (R-Shelton), State Representative Dick Belden (R-Shelton), and State Representative Larry Miller (R-Stratford). The Shelton delegation introduced the bill to get $2 million in bond funding for infrastructure improvements and environmental cleanup.

Mayor Mark Lauretti led the testimony on the bill by describing the progress to date and the plans for the next phase of development. “Downtown Shelton has already changed dramatically, from the Riverwalk to the Farmer’s Market to the new Birmingham apartments. Shelton’s downtown is on the move.”

Lauretti also noted the tax benefit to Shelton residents. “The Birmingham apartment building was paying $4,000 in taxes a year to Shelton—now it will be paying $400,000 a year.”

Lauretti described the next phase of the project. “Working with a private development group, we will restore several older manufacturing plants on Canal Street into 60,000 square feet of office and retail space, and 650 new apartments.” Lauretti added that over $100 million in private development money was committed to the project.

Senator Debicella, the Ranking Member on the Commerce Committee, added that Shelton was an example for the rest of the state. “Not only has Shelton done a phenomenal job building a corporate and commercial corridor along Bridgeport Avenue, but we are making huge strides downtown.”

Debicella added, “Shelton’s old factories are going to be transformed from a useless eyesore to a vibrant part of our community—retail space, office space, and apartments. When you think about economic development in Connecticut, it is projects like downtown Shelton that are the model—and the state should be a part of making it happen.”

After the meeting, Debicella said he and the legislative delegation were working hard to get the state bonding money for Shelton. Debicella said thanks to the efforts of Representatives Belden and Miller, downtown Shelton had already received $8 million in bonding for earlier phases of the project.

The Commerce Committee had an initial positive reaction to the proposal. Committee Chairman Gary LeBeau (D-East Hartford) felt that “Shelton has certainly come a long way, and the amount of private investment is truly impressive.” He added, “A private investment of $100 million for a public investment of $2 million—I like that ratio”.

The Commerce Committee will vote on the bill in the next few weeks. If passed, the bill will go to the Finance Committee and then the full General Assembly for bonding authorization.