Two new initiatives to spur Pawcatuck revitalization
Rendering of the proposed RiverWalk project. Illustration by Daniel A. Kenyon.
Article published in The Day February 11, 2020
By Joe Wojtas Day staff writer
Stonington — For decades, there has been much talk but little if any progress when it comes to the revitalization of downtown Pawcatuck.
But with recent investments by private individuals to rehabilitate several downtown buildings and reopen vacant storefronts, coupled with the continuing work of the town’s very active Economic Development Commission, there’s new energy behind the old effort.
“I’d like to think this is the turning point,” said EDC Chairman Dave Hammond, one of the leaders of the revitalization push. “So many people want to see a vibrant downtown area.”
Seventy-five of them, including a mix of young and old, homeowners and business owners, were involved in one of the EDC’s two most recent initiatives to further push the revitalization effort.
Last month they attended the EDC’s latest community conversation to offer more suggestions about what they want to see happen downtown. The EDC has developed a report summarizing their comments and now will take a few of the suggestions, develop them into more detailed proposals and then bring them back to residents for feedback. Some of these could include marketing the Campbell Grain site for residential use and using the vacant, overgrown circus lot off Noyes Avenue for cultural events or a performance amphitheater.
“This had been the missing piece of the puzzle in Stonington,” Hammond said about first presenting such proposals to residents. “What’s happened (in the past) is the next thing you know a proposal is at the Planning and Zoning Commission and the townspeople feel like they were caught off guard."
Meanwhile, the EDC has requested that the town include $260,000 in the proposed 2020-21 capital improvement budget to help fund the estimated $850,000 cost of creating a riverwalk from the Pawcatuck River bridge to Donahue Park — opening up public access to the river as a way to further drive economic development.
If the pilot project is successful, Hammond said, future sections of the so-called Pawcatuck River Greenway could expand both north and south of the bridge.
Hammond pointed out that across the country, riverwalks have proven to be “economic drivers,” as they have successfully lured people back to downtowns, spurring redevelopment.
The plan for the first phase of the riverwalk calls for state and federal funding, and private money raised by a new nonprofit organization called Pawcatuck River Greenway to fund the remainder of the project. The town would only expend the $260,000 if the remainder of the money had been secured. The Board of Finance will decide this spring whether to include the $260,000 in the proposed 2020-21 budget it will send to voters for approval.
Among the many suggestions mentioned in the EDC’s summary report of the community conversation are constructing a multifamily micro-apartment development or a playground/dog park on Jameson Court and a mixed-use building on a vacant lot on the east side of Liberty Street across from the Dairy Queen.
Other suggestions included providing adequate parking in the downtown, an outdoor cafe, more access to the Pawcatuck River, public rest rooms and more public art and more riverfront-related activities.
Another idea, which has been discussed in the past by the EDC, is building a pedestrian bridge over the Pawcatuck River that would connect the end of Coggswell Street with downtown Westerly and provide an easy, walkable link with the Westerly train station.
Other suggestions included Liberty Street beautification, a Gateway to CT sign at the Pawcatuck River bridge, and conference and office space and a small market in mills along Mechanic Street.
Hammond added that the revitalization effort is a priority for EDC members, and Pawcatuck can feed off the successful renaissance of neighboring downtown Westerly by offering complimentary development.
Download the Downtown Pawcatuck Community Conversation Meeting Report (PDF)