TOD ADVOCATES STATEMENT ON STAMFORD PARKING GARAGE PUBLIC HEARING


 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2012

Contact: Rebecca Kaplan, Connecticut Fund for the Environment, 201-707-6633
Amanda Kennedy, Regional Plan Association, 203-912-1805
Steven Higashide, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, 860-796-6988  
Kirsten Griebel, Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, 860-236-5442

NEW HAVEN, CT — Connecticut Fund for the Environment, the
Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Regional Plan Association, Connecticut League
of Conservation Voters, and the Business Council of Fairfield County released
the following statement today regarding tonight’s public hearing on the Stamford
Parking Garage project.

“Repurposing the current dilapidated garage into a
well-planned, mixed-use development can boost local jobs and the economy, as
well as improve the station’s current circulation problems for all types of
commuters – car, bus, pedestrian, and bicycle,” the groups said. “We
encourage DOT to seek diverse stakeholder input on the project moving
forward.”

“We support mixed-use, transit-oriented development at the
Stamford railroad station,” added Joe McGee, vice president, public policy
& programs for the Business Council of Fairfield County. “Let’s also
look at different solutions to parking at the station; not just simply
rebuilding the garage on the current site.”

ConnDOT is proposing to demolish the current garage, which
holds 700 spaces, and replace it with a transit-oriented mix of residential,
office, and retail development including a garage with 1,000 parking spaces
within ¼ of a mile from the station. During construction, parking will be
provided at an alternate location within ¼ of a mile from the station. In
addition to creating more parking, ConnDOT is proposing to make improvements to
the station to enhance safety, convenience, and pedestrian and vehicle
flow.