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Two Blokes Jul 4 -
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BROOKFIELD, CT — A required environmental review is temporarily halting progress on the next phase of Brookfield’s long-running streetscape revitalization project, town officials confirmed. Before construction can begin on Phases 5 and 7 of the Brookfield Streetscape Project, a botanist must conduct a field inspection to determine whether any endangered grass species identified in the state’s Natural Diversity Database are present in the planned construction area. The area has been roped off and will remain so until at least September to allow native vegetation, including any rare grasses, to grow naturally for inspection. "The growing season for the grass that is considered endangered, not surprisingly, is now, so the botanist wants the area left undisturbed for two months," Brookfield Economic Development Specialist Greg Dembowski told Patch. See Also: Brookfield Tapped To Receive State Infrastructure Grant If the testing does show plant species in the area are protected, the report could require the town to revise its design, Dembowski said. The survey area, which falls within the Connecticut Department of Transportation right-of-way, has already received an encroachment permit, Dembowski said. Nearby residents and their lawn care providers have been notified, and signage has been installed along the site’s perimeter. Phases 5 and 7, which were combined into one construction project last year, represent the next segment of the town’s Town Center District Revitalization Plan. The work will include new sidewalk linking Old Route 7 with Heron Park, 33 new streetside parking spaces at 731 Federal Road along the Still River Greenway, improvements to the pedestrian crosswalk at the Food Emporium Plaza, and other amenities. See Also: Heron Statues Mark Completion Of Brookfield Streetscape's 3rd Phase The long-delayed Phase 4 of the project—extending the Still River Greenway from the Agora property north to Newbury Village—remains in limbo as the town awaits word on a grant application to fund the final 30 percent of the work. While funding is secured for most of that phase, DOT approval is still pending. Construction on Phases 5 and 7 is tentatively scheduled to begin next summer.
