Town gets $1.8 million for trail extension

WINSTED —  Gov. Dannel P. Malloy (D) announced on Wednesday, June 8,   the awarding of $11 million in state grants for 20 projects statewide.

The projects were awarded under the state’s Responsible Growth and Transit-Oriented Development program to support transit-oriented developments which will boost economic activity and create employment.

The grants are administered by the Office of Policy and Management.

Sue Grossman Still  River Greenway

One of the projects awarded is $1,825,000 to Torrington and Winsted to construct a 2-mile extension of the Sue Grossman Still River Greenway into downtown Winsted.

The trail currently runs for three miles and is parallel to Route 8/Winsted Road in both Winsted and Torrington.

The state funds will be used to construct a two-mile extension into downtown Winsted.

The funds will also be used to prepare final designs and construction of five miles into downtown Torrington.

Collaborative effort

According to the grant application submitted by Winsted Town Planner Steven Sadlowski, Torrington will be the lead municipality in the project and the Northwest Hills Council of Government will be its fiscal partner.

The application has been signed by officials from both towns, including Sadlowski, Winsted Mayor Candy Perez, Torrington Mayor Elinor Carbone, Northwest Hills Council of Elected Officials Executive Director Rick Lynn, Winsted resident and Torrington Zoning Enforcement Director Rista Malanca.

Both Torrington and Winsted will be working simultaneously on their parts of the project.

The application to the state cited that both Winsted and Torrington have been listed on the state’s Distressed Communities list since 1999.

However, Winsted was removed from the list last year, but Torrington remains.

“The development of the Sue Grossman Still River Greenway will unite these two disadvantaged communities and aid in bringing economic growth which is associated with trails and greenways, along with other proven benefits such as, increased property values, sense of community and recreational opportunities,” representatives from both towns wrote in the application for the grant.

There are currently three parking areas to access the trail, two on both ends of it: Lanson Drive in Winsted, Harris Road in Torrington, and in the middle of the trail there is a parking lot located on Greenwoods Road.

“Although the Sue Grossman Greenway is only three miles long, it was originally designed to extend an additional two miles, ending at Rowley Street in downtown Winsted,” town representatives wrote in the application. 

“Federal funds were used to design the full length of this Greenway around 2003. State, federal and local funds were then obtained to construct the trail around 2006. Construction of the trail started with the Trail Head on Harris Drive in Torrington and headed towards Winsted. With these funds only three out of the five miles designed were able to be completed.”

A Sue Grossman Committee was formed by residents of both towns and worked for 14 years to complete the project.

The application lists that the committee has $5,000 that will be contributed to offset the cost of trail infrastructure including signage, fencing and benches.

Officials react

In a press release, Malanca wrote that the trail is a “very important link” between both Torrington and Winsted.

“Over 50 ,000 users hike, bike and skate the trail each year now, and we expect that number to greatly increase once it connects our two communities,”  Malanca wrote . “Both communities have studies that show the trail will be a great asset to the community by providing alternative transportation opportunities between the two centers and recreational opportunities for the entire region, both of which will aid economic development in both communities.”

In an interview with The Winsted Journal, Anna Norland, co-chairman of the Winsted Trails group, said she is “over the moon” about the grant.

The volunteer group was founded to create a trail system in Winsted and has promoted various hikes, along with the Grossman trail project.

“These plans have existed for many years,’ Norland said. “I imagine we’re probably going to be looking at these plans. We may need to alter them, but they are relatively straightforward.”

Norland said that the trail extension will run past the Department of Motor Vehicles building and past the town’s skate park on Rowley Street.

“The only other town awarded more money than us is Hartford,” Norland said. “We’re super excited to have this transform Winsted.”

In an email sent to The Winsted Journal, Sadlowski wrote that for the project, wetland permits need to be obtained from both local municipalities along with permits from the Army Corps of Engineers.

“All permits were in place, but have likely expired as it has been over 10 years,” Sadlowski wrote. “ As far as it being put out to bid, we will take care of the permitting first, as that may affect the design and we generally do not bid for construction till the design is finalized.   We hope to start the engineering review and permitting phase really soon, once we get the formal paperwork from the State.   I would then hope to get shovels in the ground for next summer, depending on how the permitting process goes.”