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• All Village District properties are currently leased or in active use. 

• New dental office will being 8,000+ patient visits per year to the Village District. 

• Construction of 240 apartments as part of Brainerd Place expected to begin in April 2022. 

• Member of CT Main Street Center in coordination with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. 

• B3 Zoning has been reviewed by PZC. 

• Realignment of Rt17 and Rt 66 (Marlborough Street) to be completed summer 2022 as part of the Brainerd Place project with goal to smooth traffic flow and increase pedestrian safety. 

• Signage for Bike Routes established by Complete Streets complete. 

• Village District "Welcome" sign to be moved closer to the Arrigoni Bridge as part of the Brainerd Place project. 

• Brownstone is a finite resource and becoming increasingly difficult to obtain in quantity and quality. Applicants in prominent locations are encouraged to use brownstone or similar materials to achieve a cohesive design theme. 

• The Town has contracted with the CT River Valley Council of Governments as the design review authority for Tier 1 and 2 reviews. This results in AICP certified planner sign off without additional cost to the applicant. Tier 3 reviews (new construction) are under contract to Barton & Loguidice of Glastonbury. 

• Building height requirements and specific components (vents, chimney, HVAC units) are under consideration for clarification by the PZC

Work with CT-DOT to improve the intersection of Routes 17, 17A and 66 to accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles.

• The River COG is conducting a Route 66 Corridor Study. The final report is due in 2020.

• In 2015 we applied for and received a Road Safety Audit Grant from DOT to study this area. Summary report is on file.

• The Complete Streets Group (CGS) asked the DOT to recommend traffic improvements at this intersection in 2016. These changes were rejected by the Board of Selectmen in 2016. (NOTE: Some minor striping to Main Street near the Post Office was accepted and implemented.)

• Brainerd Place has an approved Traffic Investigation Report from the Office of State Traffic Authority (OSTA). The plan includes some changes to this intersection.

• CSG proposed, and the Selectmen approved suggested Bike Routes in Portland.

• Signage for the Bike Routes were installed Spring 2019, and again in Spring 2020 we will install signs for a Family Bike Route downtown.

Identify and establish gateways.

• The Welcome to Historic Portland Brownstone Sign is at the intersection of Route 17A and 66. It is enhanced by trees and gardens that are maintained by PineLedge Gardens (changed owenership in 2019). At present our Town Grounds Department is maintaining the area.

• Seasonal Banner Poles and U.S. Flags are along Main Street.

• Brownstone is a finite resource and becoming increasingly difficult to obtain in quantity and quality. Applicants in prominent locations are encouraged to use brownstone or similar materials to achieve a cohesive design theme. 

• The Town has contracted with the CT River Valley Council of Governments as the design review authority for Tier 1 and 2 reviews. This results in AICP certified planner sign off without additional cost to the applicant. Tier 3 reviews (new construction) are under contract to Barton & Loguidice of Glastonbury. 

• Building height requirements and specific components (vents, chimney, HVAC units) are under consideration for clarification by the PZC

• The Sidewalk Improvement Project was started in summer 2018. Using Town Bond money ($1 million, as well as LOCIP-possibly STEAP in the future(?).)

• The Town received a $200,000+ grant from the Community Connectivity Program, which will be implemented in the spring-summer of 2019 through fall 2020. Main Street sidewalks will be installed from the Post Office to Arvid Road on the west side; to Covell Hill Road on the east side (being completed 11/2020).

• Applied (October 2020) for another Connectivity Grant $500,000+ for more sidewalks in the area of need- near Route 66, Freestone, High, Airline and Riverside.

• The Selectmen established a Town Beautification Committee, to be focused on Main Street.

• The Committee made improvements Fall 2019.

• (Note: The Carol R. Johnson Main Street Streetscape Plan from 2003 is a starting point.)

• In August 2018, Portland was awarded a $204,358 Community Connectivity Grant for Main Street Sidewalk Improvements from the CT DOT, which covered the cost of sidewalk replacement along the east side of Main Street from Fairview Street north to Spring Street, and the west side of Main Street from Middlesex Avenue north to Russell Avenue. These funds were utilized in coordination with a previous bond for sidewalk and other infrastructure improvements to expand the sidewalk improvement project impact. 

• In January 2021, the town received a $525,775 grant to extend sidewalks to link the Chatham Court housing complex to the business districts, town buildings and services. The goal is to improve safety and accessibility for bicycles and pedestrians and promote transportation equity. 

• The Garden Club and the Grounds Department adopted a plan for landscape improvements to the Main Street area next the BIS play area. Some work has been completed, including a lending-little library.

• Click to View Priority Area Map

• Committees were organized and lead by Kathy Herron to begin work on a new policy and start the process of planning, designing and the start of construction.

• After much discussion the Selectmen determined that the current Sidewalk Improvement Project would not require adjacent businesses and home owners to pay for 2018-2019 Sidewalk Improvements Project. Many sidewalks have been in disrepair for several years. Many sidewalks were disturbed by Town-owned tree roots which undermined the concrete.

• (NOTE: The Ordinance was not amended. We will establish a Sidewalk Inspection Program. Adjacent land owners will be held responsible for any damage they cause to the new sidewalks. This is in accordance with the Ordinance.)

• The Town Beautification Committee will be recommending improvements to Main Street.

• New signs and sign posts for the Village District Public Parking Lots on the east and west side of Main Street to be installed after new traffic light installation completed by DOT.

• Signage is on Main Street near the Police Department and Mellilis.

• Not yet implemented.

Not yet implemented.

• Cost of taking over maintenance of Main Street/Rt 17 determined too costly for the Town to take ownership of Main Street. 

• On October 3, 2018 the Selectmen created the Beautification Committee to assist in the beautification efforts of Main Street. (Note: See Frank Connolly Report, attached.)

• In process.

• Town Departments working to consistently schedule activities within the Town Center, Village District, and Riverfront Park. Activities include3 programming by the Library, Park and Rec, Youth Services, and Senior Center.