Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center Now Open!

Mary Beth Mello, Region 1 Administrator, Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Vicki Shotland, Executive Director, Greater Hartford Transit District; and Congressman Joe Courtney look on as Adam Zimmer cuts the ribbon for the new Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center. They are joined at right by Karen Zimmer (wife of the late Gary Zimmer, one of the Mansfield residents and transportation advocates for whom the center is named); Mansfield Mayor Betsy Paterson; and Mansfield Town Manager Matthew Hart.
Photo: Paterson/Mansfield Downtown Partnership

The Town of Mansfield and the Mansfield Downtown Partnership celebrated the Grand Opening of the Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center on Monday, April 14, 2014.

The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center is an innovative project funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The Town of Mansfield received $4,940,000 as part of the FTA’s Bus and Livability Grant Program to construct an intermodal transportation hub and transit pathway.

“We’re proud to help Mansfield build a more walkable, sustainable community,” said Deputy Federal Transit Administrator Therese McMillan. “Transit ridership across the country is at its highest level since 1957, thanks in part to the growing demand for real transportation choices in communities like this one.”

The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center is conveniently located in the heart of Storrs Center, Mansfield’s new mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented downtown. The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center provides easy access to Windham Region Transit District (WRTD) buses and UConn shuttles, allowing residents to take advantage of public transportation within town and the region. Peter Pan bus line has added the Nash-Zimmer as a stop, providing access to Hartford, Providence, and Boston via public transit. An innovative information technology system helps riders track the location and arrival and departure times of their desired bus both inside and outside of the center.

Peter Pan Bus Lines has added the Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center as a stop,
providing Mansfield residents with convenient access to Hartford, Providence, and Boston.
Photo: Paterson/Mansfield Downtown Partnership

In addition to bus service, the Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center serves as an information center for the new downtown, Storrs Center. An interactive kiosk provides helpful information about local amenities along with bus schedules and routes.

The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center features information kiosks as well as a
system that tracks the buses as they arrive and depart.
Photo: Paterson/Mansfield Downtown Partnership

The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center also features amenities for cyclists. For cyclists who commute by bike, there is an opportunity to join a commuters’ club for access to showers, indoor bicycle storage, and lockers. For the casual rider, there are bicycle racks just outside of the Nash-Zimmer for easy access when visiting the shops, restaurants, and offices in Storrs Center.

The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center has bicycle racks available for public use.
 commuters' club for cyclists will start soon and will provide interior bicycle storage, changing rooms, and showers for members.
Photo: Paterson/Mansfield Downtown Partnership

Adjacent to the Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center, the Storrs Center parking garage features charging stations for electric vehicles and serves as a pick-up/drop-off location for the Hertz on Demand shared vehicle program.

Throughout Storrs Center, wide sidewalks with ample lighting, street trees, and benches create a pleasant environment for pedestrians. The close proximity of many different types of restaurants, retail shops, offices, and apartments encourage residents and visitors to walk to varying destinations. E. O. Smith High School, Mansfield Community Center, Mansfield’s Town Hall, the Post Office, and the UConn campus are all within easy walking distance of the Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center, further reducing the need for vehicles for Mansfield residents and visitors.

Getting ready for the ribbon-cutting are (from left to right CT State Representative Gregory Haddad (D-54); CT State Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr.; CT Secretary of the State Denise Merrill; CT State Representative Linda Orange (D-48); Congressman Joe Courtney; Mary Beth Mello, Region 1 Administrator, Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Vicki Shotland, Executive Director, Greater Hartford Transit District; and Adam Zimmer and Karen Zimmer, son and wife of the late Gary Zimmer, one of the Mansfield residents and transportation advocates for whom the center is named.
Photo: Paterson/Mansfield Downtown Partnership

United States Congressman Joe Courtney; Secretary of the State Denise Merrill; State Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr.; State Representative Gregory Haddad; State Representative Linda Orange; Elizabeth Paterson, Mayor, Town of Mansfield; Mary Beth Mello, Region 1 Administrator, Federal Transit Administration; Vicki Shotland, Executive Director, Greater Hartford Transit District; William Wendt, Director of Logistics Administration, UConn; Janet Freniere, Manager, Transportation Services, UConn; Karen Zimmer; and Lon Hultgren, Retired Public Works Director/Town Engineer, Town of Mansfield participated in the ceremony.

The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center is located at 23 Royce Circle.
Photo: Paterson/Mansfield Downtown Partnership

Links to information regarding bus schedules can be found at the Nash-Zimmer website, www.MansfieldCT.gov/TransportationCenter. Announcements can be found on the website and through the Nash-Zimmer Twitter feed, @NashZimmer.

For more information about Storrs Center, please visit www.mansfieldct.gov/DowntownPartnership or www.storrscenter.com.

Traffic Alert: Bolton Road Ext Open

Traffic Alert: New Traffic Pattern in Storrs Center
Bolton Road Ext Open to Vehicles; Wilbur Cross Way Temporarily Closed

The construction of Bolton Road Extension and Royce Circle in Storrs Center is now substantially complete, and these two streets are open to vehicles. Motorists wishing to head south on Storrs Road/Route 195 may now use the new, four-way, signalized intersection of Storrs Road and Bolton Road.

To accommodate on-going construction in Storrs Center, Wilbur Cross Way will be temporarily closed. This road will eventually be a two-way street connecting Royce Circle and Charles Smith Way (formerly referred to as the Post Office Road).

If you have any questions regarding this new traffic pattern and temporary road closure, please email StorrsCenterInfo@mansfieldct.org.

Traffic Alert: Closure of Temporary Road

Please be advised that due to construction of Bolton Road Extension and the completion of Royce Circle, the temporary road connecting Dog Lane and Bolton Road will close beginning Tuesday, June 18.

Motorists wishing to turn from Dog Lane to travel south on Storrs Road (Route 195) will instead turn onto Royce Circle behind the Storrs Center parking garage and follow the newly constructed Wilbur Cross Way to Charles Smith Way (formerly referred to as “Post Office Road”). Vehicles will not be able to turn left onto Storrs Road from Dog Lane.

Northbound traffic turning right from Dog Lane onto Storrs Road will be unaffected by this change.

This traffic pattern will remain in effect while construction continues on Bolton Road Extension and Royce Circle.

Once complete, the intersection of Bolton Road Extension, Storrs Road, and Bolton Road will serve as the main, lighted intersection for Storrs Center. The new roads will complete the boundaries of the Town Square and will accommodate all traffic heading north and south on Storrs Road. Work is expected to be completed by the fall.

Southbound traffic will follow Royce Circle from Dog Lane to Charles Smith Way. 

Traffic Alert: Paving Storrs Road

The milling and paving of Storrs Road (Route 195) is planned to begin on Friday, May 17. During this work, traffic will be restricted at times to alternating one lane patterns. Please allow for additional time to travel on Storrs Road from S. Eagleville Road (Route 275) through Mansfield Road (on the UConn campus).

As scheduled, the paving should be complete by Tuesday, May 21. Poor weather may delay these efforts.

There will be no on-street parking Thursday, May 15 through Monday, May 20.

On the road again

With the arrival of warmer spring weather, the Town resumed work on its streetscape improvements on Storrs Road (Route 195) and Dog Lane.

In April, the Town’s contractor, Milton C. Beebe & Sons Construction of Mansfield, installed new crosswalks on Dog Lane.

New crosswalks have been installed on Dog Lane.

Beebe is currently adding medians in Storrs Road. In addition to beautifying the street, the medians will serve as a traffic-calming measure on this busy section of road.

The construction of medians in Storrs Road is underway.

Once the final physical changes to Storrs Road are complete, Beebe will repave the road from the intersection with Dog Lane to the intersection with South Eagleville Road (Route 275).  As part of the repaving of Storrs Road, Beebe will mark the new on-street areas, which will be free parking for 2 hours.

 

Another traffic calming measure, which will also serve to beautify the area, will be new street trees along Storrs Road. These will be planted in the coming months. There will be trees every fifty feet along the road, in between the street lights.

The trees will be intersperse with the street lights.

Plantings are also planned for along the new stone wall in front of E. O. Smith High School.

The stone wall runs along the front of E. O. Smith High School.

Construction of One Royce Circle continues; the building is expected to be ready for residents of The Oaks on the Square in August 2013. The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry recently announced its plans to move into this new building. The Ballard will join the UConn Co-op (a new, additional location), Haru Aki Café, UConn Health Center medical offices, and Webster Bank in the second phase of Storrs Center.

One Royce Circle construction continues with a goal of opening to residents in August.

New Traffic Pattern at Dog Lane

Beginning today (Monday, Nov. 19), motorists will find changes to the traffic pattern near Storrs Center.  The newly constructed portion of Dog Lane will be open to two-way traffic.  This is the portion of the road in front of 1 Dog Lane (Subway, Insomnia Cookies).  Motorists will be able to turn right from the new Dog Lane to travel north on Storrs Road/Route 195.  There will be no left turn from the new Dog Lane.

Motorists wishing to turn left to travel south on Storrs Road/Route 195 will use a temporary road connecting the existing Dog Lane to Bolton Road.  This temporary road will meet Bolton Road at the existing traffic light. 

Motorists traveling south on Storrs Road may turn left onto the new Dog Lane or continue to the Bolton Road intersection and turn left at the light.  Motorists traveling north on Storrs Road may turn right at the Bolton Road intersection or continue to the new Dog Lane and turn right.

This new traffic pattern will be in effect through much of 2013 as construction progresses in the downtown.  Questions may be directed to the Mansfield Downtown Partnership (storrscenterinfo@mansfieldct.org or 860.429.2740).

Traffic Alert: Post Office Road

Charles Smith Way, formerly “Post Office Road,” will be restricted to one lane for the next several days to accommodate paving of the street.

Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians should use caution when traveling near the intersection of Storrs Road (Route 195), South Eagleville Road (Route 275), and Charles Smith Way.  Delays may occur.

Almost Ready for Residents

Construction of Phase 1A is nearly complete.  Work continues on the individual commercial spaces, the parking garage, and the sidewalks in front of the buildings.  The new section of Dog Lane, which will frame the north side of the future Town Square is completed but not yet open to general vehicular traffic (construction vehicles and the incoming businesses may use the road for construction purposes).

The original section of Dog Lane is now open to traffic.

The Oaks on the Square, the residential spaces on the upper floors of One Dog Lane and Nine Dog Lane will be opening soon to the first residents.  The Oaks staff is busy readying each apartment for the residents who will begin moving in next week.

One Dog Lane features The Oaks on the Square on the upper floors
and commercial spaces on the first floor.

Storrs Automotive and Select Physical Therapy will soon have some new neighbors in Nine Dog Lane.  Head Husky Barber Styling Shop (formerly Skora's), Connecticut Travel Planners, Body Language, Bank of America, and Sweet Emotions Candy are all hard at work readying their new spaces with a goal of opening by the end of the month.

Commercial tenants in Nine Dog Lane, including the Bank of America and
Sweet Emotions Candy, are readying their  new locations.

For a full list of all the businesses planning to open in Storrs Center, please visit www.StorrsCenter.com.

One Dog Lane and Nine Dog Lane will soon be open to residents.

While construction of Phase 1A is winding down, construction of Phase 1B is picking up.  The steel supports for One Royce Circle, which will be adjacent to the parking garage, are being erected now, and framing of the upper floors will begin shortly thereafter.  One Royce Circle will be a mixed-use building with commercial spaces on the first floor and additional units of The Oaks on the Square on the upper floors.

One Royce Circle is under construction on the south side of Dog Lane
(view above is from the south on Storrs Road).

Entering the Home Stretch

Construction of Phase 1A of Storrs Center continues with a goal of opening 1 Dog Lane and 9 Dog Lane in mid-August.  The Oaks on the Square (residential units on the upper floors) are nearing completion, while work on the commercial spaces progresses.  Sidewalks are being installed in front of both buildings.

One Dog Lane

Dog Lane remains closed to accommodate construction.  Dog Lane residents and visitors to Storrs Automotive (now open at 11 Dog Lane), Select Physical Therapy (now open in Suite 108 in 9 Dog Lane), and the businesses in 18 Dog Lane may continue to follow the detour (Storrs Road to Gurleyville Road to Bundy Lane to Dog Lane).

The realignment of Dog Lane is underway.

Dog Lane will intersect with Storrs Road to the north of its current intersection.

South of Dog Lane, work on the parking garage (also due to open in August) continues.  The garage will accommodate visitors to the downtown, employees of the new commercial establishments, and residents of The Oaks on the Square.

Adjacent to the parking garage, Phase 1B is just starting to take shape.  This next phase will consist of one mixed-use building, 1 Royce Circle, which will feature commercial uses on the first floor and residential units on the upper floors.  The residences will be part of The Oaks on the Square.  This building is expected to open in August 2013.

Phase 1B, a mixed-use building, will be adjacent to the parking garage.

Traffic Alert: Dog Lane Closed

Due to construction of the new Dog Lane connection to Storrs Road, Dog Lane will be closed between Storrs Road and Bundy Lane starting Thursday, July 19, 2012.  We expect this portion of the road to be reopened to traffic by Wednesday, August 1, 2012.  During this period, no access to Dog Lane will be provided from Storrs Road.

Businesses located on Dog Lane between Willowbrook Road and Storrs Road should direct their employees and customers coming from Storrs Road to use Gurleyville Road and Bundy Lane as a temporary detour.  From the intersection with Bundy Lane, Dog Lane will be limited to local traffic between Bundy Lane and Willowbrook Road to allow access to Dog Lane residents and businesses.  To minimize impact of the road closure on surrounding neighborhoods, all construction traffic to Storrs Center will be rerouted through University property; no construction traffic will be directed to local roads.

Please email questions regarding this closure.

The utility work on Dog Lane continues in preparation for the realignment of the street.  Dog Lane remains closed to through traffic during the day.  Residents and customers of the local businesses may use Dog Lane but should expect delays.

Dog Lane is closed to through traffic during construction.

The work on the façades of 1 Dog Lane and 9 Dog Lane is progressing. As the work on the upper floors and roof finishes and the new businesses complete their plans, the focus will shift to finishing the storefronts.

Work on the facades continues.

Two businesses have moved into their new locations: Select Physical Therapy (9 Dog Lane, Suite 108) and Storrs Automotive (11 Dog Lane).  While construction in the area continues, they are both accessible and open for business.  Look for the signs along Dog Lane to direct you to their new locations.

Select Physical Therapy is now located in Suite 108 of 9 Dog Lane.

Storrs Automotive's new home, 11 Dog Lane, is located behind 9 Dog Lane.

Traffic Alert: Storrs Road (Route 195)

Utility work near the intersection of Storrs Road (Route 195) and Dog Lane will occur on Friday, March 30.  To accommodate the work, traffic will be reduced to one lane.  Please be aware of uniformed flaggers directing traffic and proceed with caution in this area.

Traffic Alert: Storrs Road (Route 195)

Utility work near the intersection of Storrs Road (Route 195) and Dog Lane will occur on Thursday, March 15 and Friday, March 16.  To accommodate the work, traffic will be reduced to one lane.  Please be aware of uniformed flaggers directing traffic and proceed with caution in this area.  It is anticipated that this work will take the two days to complete. 

Garage Progresses

Delivery of the pre-cast material for the parking garage has begun.  The pieces are produced off-site and delivered ready for placement.  Here, a large piece can be seen in transit:

The pieces are modular for ease of installation.  (In the photo below, One Dog Lane is in the background.)

The pieces are lifted into place by a crane, seen below at left.  In the foreground, a pre-cast section of a stairwell is visible.

The first two pieces have been placed:

The delivery and erection of the precast materials will continue over the coming weeks.  As noted previously, there may be traffic delays in the area as the delivery vehicles navigate the site.  Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians in the area should proceed with caution.  Please note that Dog Lane is closed to through traffic during the day.





Traffic Alert: Materials Delivery

On Monday, February 13, delivery of the pre-cast materials for the parking garage will begin.  This will increase truck traffic on Storrs Road and may cause traffic delays on Dog Lane (which is currently closed to through traffic).  Residents, visitors, and workers are advised to proceed with caution through this area.  While every effort is being made to manage traffic flow, there may be delays as the construction vehicles navigate the site.

Please remember to drive slowly through the construction area and maintain a safe distance between yourself and oversized vehicles.

Traffic Alert: Dog Lane

Due to utility work, Dog Lane will be closed to through traffic during the day beginning Monday, February 6, 2012.  Local traffic for businesses and residents on Dog Lane will have limited access at this time.  Regular traffic patterns will resume following completion of the utility work.

Questions or concerns may be directed to the Town of Mansfield Public Works Department (860.429.3331) or may be emailed. 

Traffic Alert

The Town of Mansfield is working on a water line near the Storrs Center construction site.  This work will limit traffic on Dog Lane to one lane, and at times, there may be a need to stop traffic briefly in both directions.  This work is anticipated to continue through next week.

As work progresses on the buildings, the number and frequency of delivery of materials will increase. The general contractor is working to coordinate deliveries as much as possible to minimize any potential traffic impact.  Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians are encouraged to use caution when traveling through the area and to be prepared for possible delays.

Traffic Alert: Storrs Road

Motorists traveling on Storrs Road (Route 195) through the UConn campus and near E. O. Smith High School should anticipate slower traffic on Wednesday, August 17 and Thursday, August 18.  As part of the ongoing utility work for the Storrs Center project, a section of Storrs Road will be excavated.  Traffic will be moved through the area in an alternating one-way pattern.  State Police will be on hand both days.



Possible Traffic Delays

As part of the utilities work for the first phase of Storrs Center, some excavation will occur near the construction site. The excavation will be near the Buckley driveway and will span Storrs Road. To accommodate this work, there will be alternating one-way traffic through the area. Please plan for potential delays.

Meanwhile, the University’s sewer sanitation work continues. Traffic through the area may be slower at times along Storrs Road to accommodate the work in progress.

Continuing Demo Brings More Truck Traffic

The demolition of the former Publications building has been completed, and the excavation for the foundation of the first building (currently referred to as TS-1) has begun.

The demolition of 13 Dog Lane (the former Select Physical Therapy building) is also complete.  The demolition of 14 Dog Lane(the former Nayden Health Clinic building) is on-going.

In the coming weeks, there will be increased truck traffic in the area as construction vehicles deliver materials for the foundation work and for the work on the utilities.  Please use caution when driving or walking in the construction area.