Public Policy
2007 Public Policy Statement
Purpose:
- To enhance Connecticut’s ability to make healthy and informed decisions and policies in land use and transportation, and to demonstrate how healthy and vibrant downtowns are vital to the state of Connecticut
- To encourage and support the development of resources and tools that will aid Connecticut communities in their efforts to revitalize their downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts
- To position Connecticut Main Street Center as an expert in and advocate for healthy and vibrant downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts
GUIDING PRINCIPLE
To align the Connecticut Main Street network in support of other
like-minded organizations’ public policy initiatives when they
directly support downtown revitalization.
PRIORITY ADVOCACY PARTNERS
1) The Face of Connecticut Campaign
This campaign has been developed and supported by a coalition of
advocacy groups that include Audubon Connecticut, Connecticut Association
of Conservation and Inland Wetland, Connecticut Farm Bureau, Connecticut
Fund for the Environment, Connecticut Land Conservation Council, Connecticut
League of Conservation Voters, CT Trust for Historic Preservation,
The Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land and Working Lands Alliance.
Their key agenda items are:
Planning for Responsible Growth – supporting
the Governor’s and General Assembly’s recognition of
the need to strengthen the state’s planning capacity and
investing in the state’s and towns’ GIS capacity.
Conservation – investing in working farms,
clean water and recreation.
Restoration & Preservation – Investing
in cities and village centers
Stewardship – protecting our investments
by investing in and helping the people and agencies who will manage
these resources.
Proposals directly related to the principles of Main Street include:
- Pre-development grants for technical support, feasibility studies, site assembly, architectural fees and remediation of commercial historic buildings in downtowns and the restoration of urban greens and parks ($14 million annually).
- Grants to help communities identify and evaluate historic resources and register properties on the State or National Register of Historic Places ($1 million annually).
2) HOMEConnecticut Housing Program for Economic Growth
This is a statewide campaign created by Partnership for Strong Communities
to preserve the quality of life and the strong, competitive economy
that has distinguished the state of Connecticut, but which is now
threatened by a dramatic lack of housing affordable to working families
and individuals. Over 40 leaders in business, banking, academia,
land use, housing and government have come together as the steering
committee to identify solutions to the state’s affordable housing
problems.
Their key agenda items are:
Assist municipalities that encourage mixed-use
/ mixed-income housing development by providing incentive and bonus
payments and by reimbursing them for any net increases in education
costs resulting from new housing.
Provide technical assistance to municipalities,
regional planners and developers who produce such housing.
Offer incentives to developers, where needed,
to enhance affordability.
Award infrastructure aid to municipalities to
enhance locations where housing is created.
Reduce administrative and regulatory barriers to
the creation of housing.
Proposals directly related to the principles of Main Street include:
- All of the above agenda items can be directly applied to downtown development and redevelopment.
One of CMSC’s goals will be to insure that the tools and incentives that are developed can be easily applied to an existing mixed-use, densely built environment with multiple owners such as downtowns.
3) Future Advocacy Partners to be determined
CMSC will remain active with and monitor the advocacy priorities
of other groups with related missions for potential partnering opportunities.