Town Gets Funds for Market Demand Research

A market demand study recommended in 2007 in the Downtown Study Committee's strategic plan is finally going to become a reality.

"It's very timely, and I'm ecstatic," said First Selectman Jeb Walker, who served on the Downtown Study Committee.

The Board of Finance twice struck funding for the study from the town budget, but Governor Rell announced Friday that the state will reimburse New Canaan $75,000 through the Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) to conduct the research.

Former First Selectman Judy Neville formed the Downtown Study Committee back in the boom times, concerned that unmitigated development would detract from the village center's charm. The committee recommended the research so that the town could determine what type of businesses might find New Canaan to be an attractive location, other than "franchise businesses with associated branded architectural themes." The information would be used for targeted marketing to draw desirable businesses to town and make adjustments accordingly to zoning rules for allowed uses in the village center. 

The insights may now help fill empty storefronts downtown and inform zoning changes including the proposed D Zone. Rob Mallozzi, who was a merchant representative on the Downtown Study Committee before being elected to the Board of Selectmen, says the town will learn whether a bicycle shop, a walk-in health care facility, or another type of enterprise is needed.

He said landlords, merchants, and business people, "may not know that until there's a study and we figure it out, what we're lacking." And, Mallozzi said, "it's not just about retail."

Mallozzi credited Town Planner Steve Kleppin for identifying the STEAP grant as an option for getting the study funded after it was cut from the town budget.

The state has also awarded a $150,000 STEAP grant to New Canaan to build a school bus operations facility.