This project involves the development of guidance documents for streetscape improvements in downtown New Britain with the goal of improving the quality of life downtown by helping preserve the historic character of New Britain's downtown, improving signage to areas of interest, beautifying streets and crosswalks and enhancing and complementing other downtown development efforts including revitalizing significant older buildings, updating public utilities providing adequate parking, and ensuring public safety. This project is part of an overall Downtown Development Plan which will support investment and job growth in the downtown area as a mixed-use urban environment. In addition, the implementation of the initial projects will significantly enhance and support the pedestrian link between downtown New Britain and the New Britain-Hartford busway station. The initial phases of the project include the downtown area bounded by Columbus Boulevard, Main Street, and Chestnut Street. This project will complement and support ongoing transit and development projects in the downtown area.

This project will provide:

1. A comprehensive and illustrated Streetscape Master Plan for downtown New Britain which will clearly communicate the agreed upon vision for creating an engaging pedestrian experience while improving access in downtown and preserving downtown’s historic character.
2. A Design Standards for Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements document which will provide model architectural and engineering details describing and illustrating the nature of specific public and private infrastructure improvements which could be made to the downtown area.
3. Detailed design documents including engineering specifications and design details to guide the construction and implementation of the initial downtown streetscape/pedestrian improvement -  a pedestrian corridor between downtown and the busway station which will allow efficient commuter access for downtown and surrounding area residents and provide easy access to parking and downtown for those using the busway.