The city has three items on its short list of shovel-ready projects that it hopes will get special funding within months as part of incoming President Barack Obama’s new stimulus spending package.
“We’re in good shape” with the tally of possible projects, said state Rep. Frank Nicastro, a Bristol Democrat. He said Bristol’s “a lot better than many other cities” in its readiness to turn the money into badly needed construction.
Most of what’s targeted for the federal cash would be done regardless of whether Congress supports the proposal, however, and some of it is already completed.
Still, officials said, federal spending on the park, street and sewer projects would free up municipal cash for other projects that might be left on the shelf otherwise.
Mayor Art Ward said the state House leadership told cities and towns to give them their top three projects for possible funding so he made the choice to ask for money to finish the Rockwell Park renovation, a few street improvement projects and the installation of a new sewer line from the Forestville pump station to the treatment plant.
All told, the city would save at least $10 million if the stimulus program picks up the tab for the projects, officials said.
Nicastro, whose 79th District encompasses southern Bristol, said the city projects can all be underway by May 1.
Nicastro, who is also a city councilor, said he would push to keep the projects on the front burner.
Public Works Director Walter Veselka said the city recently finished the last of the design work on the new sewer line that’s needed to try to prevent sewer backups in Forestville during heavy rains, backups so severe that even the pump station has been flooded in the past.
Parts of the new sewer line are already done. The necessary pipes were installed under the new Route 72 extension that’s under construction now and at the new industrial park beside the former Superior Electric factory on Middle Street.
The city is seeking $4.5 million for the Rockwell Park renovation, much of which is already done or in the works. It includes the new skatepark, a new playground, an overhauled parking lot and a host of changes to make the park’s lighting and walkways more attractive.
Along with a few street repair projects, Ward said, the city’s wish list is “in the mix” now after submission to both the General Assembly and U.S. Rep. John Larson, the East Hartford Democrat whose 1st District includes Bristol.
Longer lists of potential projects have also been handed in to Larson and other key officials in case there is more funding available.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
14 comments:
Looks like Mayor Ward has a new PR spokesperson in Frank Nicastro.
Watch out Art.
So let me get this straight...the economy is going down the toilet and Obama wants to "stimulate" it by spending 800 million dollars (that we don't have) so that we'll feel secure enough to start spending money (that we don't have)??? Isn't overspending the reason we're in the position we're in now???
So let me get this straight...the economy is going down the toilet and Obama wants to "stimulate" it by spending 800 million dollars (that we don't have) so that we'll feel secure enough to start spending money (that we don't have)??? Isn't overspending the reason we're in the position we're in now???
The money is raised either through deficit spending (which we are doing right now to fund Bush's Middle Eastern Pipe Dream) or by printing new currency and controlling the inflation rate from the federal reserve.
Ultimately the stimulus should generate job creation, industrial growth and consumer spending. More than enough revenue from the economic growth can be generated and the government can pay down it's debts and ramp down the currency supply.
And how much on-going cost will be added to the city budget becaue ofthings like the expanded park??
No such thinng as a FREE LUNCH.
Thats Obamas plan: create a need for more union workers.
Talk about pipe dreams....
Yeah that Rockwell Paln is going to be a real "stimulus" to the economy. For who...contractors that have given big donations to the Democrats?
If the Community Organizer wants to stimulate the economy he needs to find a way to halt the loss of manufacturing jobs from the US, deal with the Chinese currency problem, let our food resources be used for food not fuel, keep environmental regulation in check, help those in need but try to keep government growth and taxes as low as possible.
Bush's War as the leftists like to call it is doing more to "stimulate" the Connecticut economy than any silly public works projects will ever do. UTC (Prat & Sikorsky), Electric Boat and gun makers like Colt's are what holds this state together.
people need to wake up everyone is going nuts for this man. he is nothing but a sweet talker like all the rest of them. don't warm up your shovels so fast i'm sure within 6 months he will tell us he has to raise taxes.
This is unbelievable. Route 6 is a disaster & discourages locals and out of towners from shopping in Bristol & Ward, Nicastro ask for money for the park? What desperately needed revenue will the park bring in?
That's what we get for electing people with no experience or vision.
Yeah that Rockwell Paln is going to be a real "stimulus" to the economy. For who...contractors that have given big donations to the Democrats?
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The park keeps people in a community (i.e. downtown) where they will be more likely to want more stores, schools, services, etc. Community revitalization.
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If the Community Organizer wants to stimulate the economy he needs to find a way to halt the loss of manufacturing jobs from the US, deal with the Chinese currency problem, let our food resources be used for food not fuel, keep environmental regulation in check, help those in need but try to keep government growth and taxes as low as possible.
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See everyone this is a valuable lesson here: Watching Fox News rots your brain. Just like too much candy!
There is plenty of information out there on how Obama wants to encourage manufacturers to hire American workers, develop Green manufacturing, and all forms of alternative energy.
I'm also sure you believe Bush did a good job of "Keeping environmental regulations in check." Cause we need coal ash in our drinking waters and mines killing miners, and national lands destroyed for a profit.
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Bush's War as the leftists like to call it is doing more to "stimulate" the Connecticut economy than any silly public works projects will ever do. UTC (Prat & Sikorsky), Electric Boat and gun makers like Colt's are what holds this state together.
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Um sure, were all feeling that stimulus. I'm sure those companies will be willing to hire all of us just for the altruism of keeping Connecticut's people working.
And it still is Bush's war.
Ultimately the stimulus should generate job creation, industrial growth and consumer spending. More than enough revenue from the economic growth can be generated and the government can pay down it's debts and ramp down the currency supply.
January 19, 2009 6:15 PM
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I guess someone has forgotten that mr. clinton and the democrats created NAFTA to move manufacturing OUT of the United States .
Any expansion of industry will occur elsewhere , thanks to the financial contributions from foriegn investors to mr. clinton .
Negative, Student; as of today it is President Obama's war. He is now Commander-in-Chief, and he could pull us out today.
Didnt we just give up 4 mil from the state because we had no clue. Seriously this city is a joke.
Has Ward/Klocko costed out these projects on a long term basis?
What will the local budget have to assume before and after they are done?
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