Community Corner

Parking Garage Not Among Stamford Station Improvements

Stamford Station's parking garage will not undergo repairs or demolitions as a result of a $10,500,000 federal grant.

The city of Stamford has been awarded a $10,500,000 grant to improve Stamford Station, but commuter input into what improvements will be made has been non-existent, according to the Connecticut Metro-North Rail Commuter Council.

"These improvements will focus on the following three interconnected components: (1) accessibility improvements for train and bus riders; (2) expansions in station capacity; and (3) construction of complete streets around the Stamford Transportation Center with traffic calming and streetscaping improvements for pedestrian safety," the TIGER grant proposal reads.

"The upgrades include transit rider accessibility, involving a pedestrian ramp connecting the east bound platform to Atlantic Street; ridership capacity improvements that will enhance the station’s capacity to handle existing and projected future transit riders; and complete streetscape improvements for passenger and pedestrian safety," a recent press release said about the TIGER grant, which is also being applauded by Mayor Michael Pavia and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

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“Investing in transportation infrastructure is one of the most important things we can do to improve the economy, and this project will bring needed construction jobs to our community while making a long-term investment in the efficiency, productivity, and vibrancy of Southwest Connecticut,” Congressman Jim Himes said.

"My first reaction is that its great that the federal government will be putting money into this important transportation center. Stamford Station is the second busiest on the line besides Grand Central...it has been in need of improvement for a number of years," Connecticut Commuter Rail Commission president Jim Cameron said. "This grant does not address the most important issue, which is 'what's going to happen to the old parking garage?' It is not mentioned in the grant."

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According to Cameron, the parking garage adjacent to Stamford Station has been "marked for demolition for years" because of faulty engineering, but CDOT has not made any concrete decisions as to whether or not the garage should be improved, sold to a private developer, or torn down for a new garage.

"Gov. Malloy has done nothing to force his Department of Transportation to make a decision about this garage," Cameron said. "Commuters have chunks of concrete falling on their cars...I don't know if the public had any input on these proposals. From what I heard, this was a proposal written by the city with input from the Fairfield Business Council."

According to Mayor Pavia, work will begin on STC's improvements immediately.


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