Train Station Looks to Lure Businesses to Stamford

STAMFORD, Conn. — If Stamford wants more businesses to open in the city, it will need a well-lit, freshly painted train station.  

That was the Board of Finance’s reasoning when it approved a $155,000 appropriation to match the City Canvas grant from the state to enhance the Stamford Transportation Center.

“This is a small price to pay, to make it happen,” Mary Lou Rinaldi said of filling empty retail space in the city.

Laure Aubuchon, director of Stamford’s Department of Economic Development, said spending the money on advertising would not attract as many people to the area as having an improved transportation center. The RBS and UBS buildings visible from Interstate 95 intrigue people and said an improved train station could add to that mystique, she said.

“The grant will cement it as the gateway of the city,” Aubuchon said.

Kathleen Murphy was the lone board member to vote against the appropriation. She said the board had cut other worthy projects from the capital budget and said the city has other issues with capital bond proceeds.

The state grant funds have not yet been sent to the city, but Aubuchon is confident the money will arrive soon. Peter Privitera, interim director of administration, said he wanted the city funds in place as soon as possible to get the project started immediately.

The city will be taking the money from the $10.5 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant received in December, Privitera said.

Stamford is hoping to name an artist in early May and hold a public opening of the project in September, Aubuchon said. Applications can be found on the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County’s website. 

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