Officials, residents pleased with upgrades

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Revitalization projects for the downtown area are near completion with city officials, business owners and residents smiling at the outcome.
The city now has a new safety center for police personnel, an upgraded utility complex on North Main Street and an upgraded water department. Both sides of North Main Street are lined with decorative red bricks along the sidewalk with vintage-style lampposts. Mayor Arthur Magee said none of the upgrades would have been possible without the blessing of city residents.
"None of this happens if the income tax increase did not pass," the mayor said.
Now, Magee said residents call city hall to express how pleased they are with the upgrades, especially the improved sidewalks on North Main Street. He said the upgrades have been a bonus to the downtown area.
"The sidewalks and work done down there is beautiful. We have received calls on how beautiful the work is. Space is being rented that was empty before and people are coming in," he said.
Good for business
Dan Pagley, an employee at Pagz Bar and Grill on North Main Street, said customers seem to be happy with the newly installed sidewalks and lighting. So long as the customers are happy, he said, the owners and employees are happy.
"We hear a lot of good comments about it and it looks a lot nicer than it used to," he said.
Not only sidewalks are seeing improvements. Many business owners in the downtown area took advantage of a program geared toward improving the outer fa & ccedil;ade and curb appeal of buildings in the downtown area.
More than 35 business and property owners applied for the program. In the program, business owners pay 50 percent of the renovation cost to their property. The 400,000 state grant covers the other 50 percent.
Officials said the 35 projects have exhausted the 400,000 grant pool.
Mary Ann Lark, who owns several buildings in the downtown area, is one of the few property owners waiting to have work done through the program. The front of her North Main Street building two blocks from Liberty Street will be redone in new brick and shingles.
Morale-booster
Lark said the revitalization program and upgrades in the downtown area have been an uplifting thing to those who do business in or visit the downtown area. She said more people seem to be out enjoying the downtown area.
"I was very excited [about the upgrades]," she said. "I have been in business in Hubbard for 47 years, and I think this is the best thing to happen to the city. It all looks beautiful."
Magee said officials are hoping to begin a second phase in the near future.
"We are working on starting a phase two to the project, but we need to get the funding first. We are applying for grants, but these things take time. We are staying on top of it, but it takes time," he said.
jgoodwin@vindy.com