Town awarded $2 million for town-center work; steering committee to define uses

Town planning staff reported that Newington has been awarded a $2 million grant to support town-center work, and that a steering committee tied to the town-center master plan will be reconstituted to review possible uses and recommend actions to the town council.

Planning staff said the grant’s uses are not finalized; potential near-term options discussed by commissioners included preliminary studies, wayfinding and signage, and preparatory work to support the master plan. Staff said the steering committee would meet first and then brief the EDC and town council; a first meeting date was noted and commissioners expected a report back to the commission after that meeting.

Commissioners asked whether recent downtown streetscape and signage ideas—shared at a Downtown Business Collective presentation—would be considered by the steering committee. Staff said those previous efforts and public feedback would likely feed into the committee’s deliberations and that broader public participation is probable before final council action.

Planning staff also reported several downtown developments caught commissioners’ attention: a liquor permit approved for a business called Sloppy Waffle; Arby’s has closed; and the Market 32 opening date shifted by approximately two weeks (targeting about July 11). Staff noted a 25,000-square-foot former grocery space is available for reuse.

Next steps: the steering committee will review grant scope and project options and report to the commission and council; staff expects public outreach as the committee develops priorities.