Streetscape Project––

Town Seeks Sandy Hook Center Engineering Plans

By Andrew Gorosko

The town is seeking a firm to draw engineering plans for a Sandy Hook Center improvement project, which would include new sidewalks, crosswalks, decorative street lighting, and landscaping for the compact business district.

In its request for design proposals, the town is seeking to hire a firm that would produce final conceptual plans, engineered construction drawings, construction specifications, and cost estimates for the beautification work, known as the Sandy Hook Streetscape Project. The town will accept design applications until October 6.

The proposed $1.25 million multiphased project, which has been in the planning stages for the past several years, would be jointly paid for by federal, state, and town funds. The federal share for the work would be $620,000; the state would cover $475,000 of the costs; and the town would assume the remaining $155,000.

The town has received approval for the $475,000 state grant. The town is awaiting word on its application for $620,000 in federal funds.

Sandy Hook Center improvements would include the removal of existing pavement, the installation of curbing, the construction of brick and paver sidewalks, the installation of walls and steps, the erection of decorative streetlighting, the placement of street furniture, landscaping improvements, “traffic calming” measures, and various stormwater drainage improvements.

The focal point of the improvement project would be the four-way intersection where Church Hill Road, Glen Road, Riverside Road, and Washington Avenue meet. Areas slated for improvements are the section of Church Hill Road westward from that four-way intersection to Dayton Street, the section of Glen Road northward from the four-way intersection to the Dayton Street bridge, the section of Riverside Road eastward from the four-way intersection to Dickenson Drive, and the section of Washington Avenue southward from the four-way intersection to Crestwood Drive.

Improvement work along Church Hill Road is slated to be done by the end of 2004, said Community Development Director Elizabeth Stocker. Improvements to other areas would come later, sometime between 2005 and 2007, she said.9

Of the planning for the Sandy Hook Center improvements, Ms Stocker said, “We’re anxious to continue moving it ahead.”

The town plans to use the state grant to pay for designing the overall project, as well as the construction work on Church Hill Road, she said. Federal funds and town money would be used for the other construction work.

In 2002, the town extended United Water’s public water supply to Sandy Hook Center. In 1997, the town extended sanitary sewers there.

In 1995, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) created Sandy Hook Design District (SHDD) zoning to permit mixed land uses and to foster the creation of pedestrian amenities and adequate parking there.

During the past several years, private property owners have made a range of physical improvements at their Sandy Hook Center real estate. Both new development and redevelopment have occurred. 

The streetscape project is intended to improve pedestrian mobility, encourage economic growth, improve the area’s appearance, and reduce traffic congestion. The improvements are intended to create a positive image for the area, boost the physical value of properties, and attract people to a village setting.

The project does not include some potential improvements that have been publicly discussed. Suggested work that will not be done includes correcting the unusual geometry of the four-way intersection, installing new traffic signals, and burying overhead utility lines.

In October 2002, the town held a public hearing to gauge public sentiment on the planned $1.25 million Sandy Hook Center improvement project. The streetscape project drew strong public support at the session.

Another session will be held to solicit additional public comment on the project.