Shelton Economic Development director outlines walkability plan, riverwalk funding pursuits

Shelton Economic Development Director Sheila Ali told the Planning & Zoning Commission on May 13 that Shelton has momentum on downtown walkability and connectivity as developers convert former industrial Canal Street lots into mixed‑use housing.

Ali said the city and SEDC are pursuing a state “SPARK” grant (Shelton Pedestrian and Riverwalk Access and Connectivity) that could provide about $800,000 for ADA crosswalks, lighting and flashing beacons along a Cornell/Canal/How Avenue corridor. She also said engineers have produced plans for an extension of the Shelton Riverwalk and that the city is seeking a roughly $2 million construction‑phase grant to complete the next linear segment. Ali added the city has obtained a roughly $165,000 planning grant to study revitalization options for the historic canal lock.

Why it matters: Shelton has seen substantial canal‑edge redevelopment; Ali said more than 570 residential units are in place on Canal Street and roughly 500 more are anticipated, increasing demand for pedestrian facilities, parking management and connectivity to downtown.

What was said: “Shelton is way ahead of the curve,” Ali said, noting the city’s ongoing brownfields reclamation, walking‑focused street design and planned riverwalk connections. She suggested targeted signage, striping and lot wayfinding to make existing municipal parking more visible and usable.

Commission follow‑up: Commissioners asked whether SPARK is a state or federal program; Ali confirmed it is a state program (Connecticut Community Connectivity Grant Program, CCGP). She said SEDC can help identify and target grant opportunities and that city staff have engineering designs in hand for some riverwalk phases.

Next steps: Ali encouraged the commission to call on SEDC for site‑specific funding help and said the department will circulate materials and presentations to staff and the board.