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Your City at Work: From the Mayor’s Desk

Post Date:06/30/2023 6:08 PM

 stamford

 

Your City at Work: From the Mayor’s Desk

Read below to learn more about what my administration is working on each day to deliver for you, resources for Stamford residents, information about upcoming events, and important city and state information.

MAYOR’S UPDATES

  • Advocating for Affordability, Fairness, and Inclusive Economic Growth in Stamford: This week, I released an op-ed on why I advocated the state for preserving existing tools in our Charter to enable economic development, infrastructure improvements, and business and job growth in our City. I hope you’ll take the time to read it and understand why it was necessary.
  • Housing Opportunity Executive Order: Today, I was honored to be joined by City officials, community, nonprofit, and faith leaders to sign the City of Stamford’s first Affordable Housing Executive Order. The housing crisis is one of the defining issues of our time. No city or town - no matter your size or location - is immune from the rising cost of living, lack of affordable housing options, and access to homeownership opportunities. I believe we have a moral obligation to do whatever is necessary to ensure every person who wants to live in our City is able to access quality, affordable, and safe housing.

 Some highlights from the Executive Order include:

  • Support the creation or renovation of 1,000 affordable housing units by 2025.
  • Develop 2,443 new affordable units by 2033, with specific priority for low-income, family-sized units.
  • Prioritize the development of housing for families and individuals earning less than 50% of the Area Median Income.
  • Create more homeownership opportunities and convert existing market rate residential and commercial space to affordable housing.
  • Execute a comprehensive community engagement and education strategy on housing in partnership with the Land Use Bureau, the Mayor’s Office, and Social Services Department.

 Housing

  • Stamford Receives Significant Funding in State Budget: Stamford received an increase in Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding for Stamford schools and secured nearly $300 million in reimbursement for Westhill High School and Roxbury Elementary School. Additionally, Stamford’s reimbursement rate for school HVAC improvements and outdoor athletic facilities increased to 60%. 
  • Stamford Awarded $26.4 Million for Electric Buses: I am happy to announce that through CTDOT, Stamford has been awarded $26.4 million for the purchases of 20 new electric buses and transit station upgrades. Stamford also received a $559,367 grant to install 20 EV chargers at the Stamford Government Center to further our sustainability goals to reduce our carbon footprint and electrify our municipal fleet.
  • Stamford Awarded Three State Resiliency Grants: I am pleased to announce that we were awarded three grants from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection totaling $1.2 million for the Toilsome Brook project and the Heat Resiliency and Cummings Pond projects. These grants will go towards protecting our city and making Stamford a more climate resilient City. 

ClimateGrants

  • Citizens Service Hub: This week, I held a Citizens Service Hub in the Waterside neighborhood. It was great to provide City updates, as well as listen to concerns and feedback from residents. Thank you to those who attended and I look forward to the next one!
  • Connecticut CyberHub Launch: This week, I was proud to participate in the launch of the new CT CyberHub initiative at UConn Stamford, in partnership with the state’s Chief Information Security Officer, Jeff Brown, the President of CSCU, Terrence Cheng, and other state and local leaders and private sector cyber/IT experts. The goal of this initiative is to enhance workforce development and job training opportunities for high paying cyber security jobs.

 

CITY NEWS 

  • Stamford Connectivity Survey: The City of Stamford is embarking on an initiative that would enhance and improve the vibrancy, livability, and connectivity for members of the entire city.  The concept is to implement a well-designed strategy that supports pedestrian friendly streetscape, safe and convenient access to the Transit Center, green space, connectivity between neighborhoods, and cultural initiatives to stimulate economic growth with a positive return to taxpayers.   Your input in this survey will ensure the City of Stamford is moving forward in a way that is meeting the needs of the community. Click HERE to complete the survey.
  • Pacific Street Village Streetscape Project: The City of Stamford Transportation, Traffic & Parking Department will be holding a virtual public meeting about the Pacific Street Village Streetscape Project on July 11th at 5:00PM via Zoom. The project seeks to increase safety, reduce speeding, and improve walkability. Other goals include improving access to the train station and the businesses along the street. The project page where you can learn more about the project and access the Zoom Link is here.
  • City of Stamford Washington Boulevard Safety Study: To learn more visit the project webpage.
  • Parks Strategic Plan: The Mayor recently launched the Parks Strategic Plan and wants to hear from residents on how to manage and invest in the sustainability of our parks, beaches, and trails. Visit, www.stamfordct.gov/psp for more information and to fill out the survey.

 

CITY EVENTS 

RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS

Employment Opportunities in the City

  • Open positions with the City of Stamford

     

    Traffic

    • Washington Blvd Road Closure
      •  Washington Blvd from Tresser to South Station will be closed from 7 pm to 7 am on June 26th to June 30th. Find detour and more information here.
    • ConnDOT Stamford Station Construction
      • Construction continues at Stamford Station, please be mindful and plan ahead. Passengers can find the updated train schedule here.
    • New Canaan Branch Line Improvement Work:
      •  Improvements on the New Canaan Branch Line began on Tuesday, May 30, and bus service is replacing all train service. The track improvements and bus substitution are estimated to run through August. Upon completion, an existing speed restriction in the Stamford area will be eliminated and trains will be able to travel 20 mph faster through this section.

 

COVID-19 Resources

All information about Stamford's response to COVID-19, including our case numbers, please visit: www.stamfordct.gov/covid19.

  • Vaccination Sites: 1st and 2nd doses are available to all, booster shots for ages 5+ (Pfizer) and 18+ (Moderna/J&J))

    On Saturday July 1st, 2023:

    • Westover School: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
    • 137 Henry Street: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

 From Friday, July 5th, free vaccines are available without an appointment for all ages at:

  • Other COVID-19 Information
    • 137 Henry Street Clinic: Thursday - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
    • If you are unable to leave your home or are uncomfortable traveling to a vaccine site, please call the Stamford Department of Health at (203)-977-4378
    •  Please visit the State of Connecticut's Vaccine Portal for information on how to request a new copy of your vaccine card.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE DIGEST

WANT TO HEAR MORE?

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Email me at mayorsoffice@stamfordct.gov and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

If there is any information that should be included in this newsletter — please contact the Mayor's Office.

To subscribe to the Mayor’s Weekly Newsletter and other city notifications, please click here.

Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy July 4th holiday!

 CS_signature

Caroline Simmons

 

 

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