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Celebrating 20 Years of inspiring great Connecticut downtowns,  
Main Street by Main Street.
Nothing but love!
An arctic Valentine's Day may have just passed us by, but here at CMSC, we're glowing with pride. From new members to national recognition, our communities and affiliates are creating thriving main streets for all to enjoy. Read on for all the latest news from CMSC.

New Britain Receives National Recognition for Complete Streets Downtown Plan
The City of New Britain and Urban Engineers, Inc. have earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). 
 
New
 
Britain's Complete Streets Master Plan for Downtown leverages the city's dense, compact, walkable downtown, open spaces, and historically significant buildings with a comprehensive network of multi-modal transportation and urban design improvements. Elements of the plan include a road diet, reconfigured curb-to-curb space allowing bike accommodations, new and improved open spaces, a new roundabout gateway, and innovative head-out and shared parking solutions. The Plan also includes a new wayfinding and historical signage system and design standards to provide a uniform look and feel to the downtown. Read more. . . 
CMSC Welcomes New Members!
Please join us in welcoming the following new member communities and professional affiliates.
 
CityCenter Danbury joins a statewide network of fellow communities dedicated to reinvigorating their commercial centers. 

Meanwhile, the downtown-related proprietors and organizations UIL Holdings, Express Strategies and Val Ferro have joined CMSC's Professional Affiliate network in creating vibrant downtowns and main streets:
  Upcoming Events
Check out these opportunities for downtown-related learning and networking.

Connecting
 
the Dots. . .To a Better Connecticut Transit System
Join CMSC, the Partnership for Strong Communities and the CT Chapter of the American Planning Association on February 23rd for this iForum discussion on how Connecticut can create transit that spurs economic, housing and neighborhood development. Register here

 
CMSC's Kimberley Parsons-Whitaker also penned a related blog for the Partnership for Strong Communities on creating vibrant and sustainable main streets by connecting people to housing, retail & dining, jobs, community resources, and transportation. Read more. . .
 

Save the Date for CT Arts Day
Help move the arts needle from nice to necessary during this event on March 2nd at the State Capitol. Event features workshops, local and national speakers, interactive experiences, and networking opportunities. Learn more  
Re-Mains of the Day
 
▪ In the News
Willimantic Brewing Company was featured in the Winter edition of Preservation Magazine (pg.49) in the article "Restaurants in Old Post Offices Deliver Satisfying Meals".
 
▪ BikeWalkCT Receives $100,000 Donation
Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, a law firm with offices in Bridgeport, New Haven and Danbury, recently donated $100,000 to Bike Walk Connecticut in recognition of the work of board members Sean Alexander and Colleen Kelly Alexander.

Bike Walk CT is a not-for-profit organization that works to change the culture of transportation and make Connecticut a better place to bike and walk. Recognizing that bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly places are a key ingredient in thriving downtowns and main streets, CMSC congratulates Bike Walk CT and Koskoff, Koskoff & Beider for this tremendous investment in Connecticut's communities. Learn more. . .  
Spotlight on 2015 Awards of Excellence
The Connecticut Main Street Founder's Award presented by
 
 
Connecticut Main Street Center presents the Founder's Award in recognition of individuals and organizations who dedicate themselves to promoting an awareness of the necessity of a comprehensive management approach to the revitalization of Connecticut's historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
 
Delpha Very, Director of Economic & Community Development, Town of Putnam 
Learn how Delpha's infectious enthusiasm, love of community, and ability to build consensus is helping lead Putnam's transformation into a dining and entertainment destination for the region. 
Connecticut Main Street Center
860-280-2337