| June 22, 2005
SHREWSBURY – The Lakeway District Project was a main topic
at the June 20th Board of Selectmen meeting. State Representative
Karyn Polito (R) and State Senator Ed Augustus (D) were on hand
to discuss funding opportunities for the improvements. Town Engineer
Jack Perreault along with Assistant Town Manager Michael Hale and
Randy Collins from Gates Leighton Associates Landscape Architects
provided more detailed information on the costs and design features
of the project.
Some of the benefits of the Lakeway project as discussed by Rep.
Polito include a revitalization of the Route 9 corridor along with
improved tourism, and an increased business tax base in town. Rep.
Polito and Sen. Augusts have already received approval from both
the House and Senate for a $250,000 budget to be used for the Lakeway
project. The money will help pay for banners and other improvements
to the overall district.
Other funding options include a $240,000 Enhancement Grant from
Mass Highway that looks likely to be approved. A Mass Turnpike Grant
Application has been made for an additional $100,000 in funding
with a final presentation on Wednesday. In addition, the Town has
set up a Lakeway Fund that can receive contributions for the project
from private businesses in Shrewsbury.
During her presentation to the Board of Selectmen, Rep. Polito
said that “[the state] is long overdue to give Route 9 the
attention it deserves.”
The Lakeway Project costs will likely total $3 million when complete.
The Town of Shrewsbury has agreed to fund design costs with Mass
Highway covering the costs of construction. The Town is hoping to
raise enough money to cover its share of the expense, approximately
$1.04 million, through the above-mentioned grants and funding opportunities
as well as other available resources, including a donation from
Shrewsbury Light and Cable Operations (SELCO).
The Lakeway District Project will make improvements to the Route
9 Corridor from the Lake Quinsigamond bridge East to Maple Avenue.
Improvements will include repaving the Lakeway area, reconfiguration
of intersections, infrastructure improvements, wider sidewalks,
a more pedestrian-friendly layout, brick-look crosswalks similar
to the newly installed crosswalks in Shrewsbury Center, ornamental
street lighting similar to Shrewsbury St. in Worcester, street tree
plantings where possible, “Entering Lakeway District”
signage, and decorative banners similar to the new banners in Shrewsbury
Center.
Bids on the project will have to be received by September of 2006
and construction is expected to begin in Spring of 2007. The Lakeway
District improvements are in line with Shrewsbury’s Master
Plan.
|
