NORWICH — Last year the Friends of the Museum District began beautification efforts on the museum district, and Co-Chair Pegi LoPresti announced at the March 1 joint committee meeting that Phase 1A of the work has been completed.

"We have made it through Phase 1A of construction in the museum district. It basically started at the Rexford Street-Mitchell Street intersection, up to the railroad tracks," said LoPresti. "We’re now looking to continue the phase right from the railroad tracks up to North Broad Street."

Phase 1A projects included new sidewalks, landscaping, signage, lighting, and more. Phase 1B will include similar projects, and the Friends of the Museum District have requested city support in the form of in-kind labor from the Department of Public Works (DPW), which was provided during Phase 1A. The Friends of the Museum District would cover the cost of materials.

"At this point we’re hoping that the council will agree to let Ed [Pepe] and his crew assist us once again, helping with in-kind labor to put five foot sidewalks in on both sides of the street there," LoPresti explained. "We will not be touching any of the curb cuts because paving was recently done there, so essentially we’re talking about the improvements to include sidewalks, some light fixtures, amenities just like is in the rest of the district, and we’re really hopeful that the DRI funds will help us tie the entire district from North Broad right down to the old Rite Aid building at some point."

Last year, the city contributed approximately $25,000 to the project through in-kind labor provided by DPW employees, who installed around 130 yards of concrete sidewalks. During the joint committee meeting, DPW Superintendent Ed Pepe said he had discussed the additional work with the Friends of the Museum District, and so far he hasn't seen any potential scheduling conflicts.

In addition to Phase 1B, LoPresti said there are other phases that may be possible in the future. They would focus on more specific projects rather than an overarching improvement of the area.

"Essentially there are other phases that we would like to look at at some point. There’s funding available if we have like a river walk in our plans, and it’d be nice to connect our museum district right down to the [River] Street River at some point," said LoPresti. "I think though our first point is to connect the downtown better to the museum district, and like I said that’s one of the proposals of the DRI grant application, and I’m really hopeful that we can see that come into fruition in the next couple of years first."

The Northeast Classic Car Museum is also getting in on the improvement projects. The museum is currently working on renovations to their building and is hopeful all the work will be completed by April.

"We've had some delays due to supplies and materials and things like that," said Northeast Classic Car Museum Executive Director Robert Jeffrey, Sr. "[We] hope for completion around the April timeframe."

Council members spoke in support both of the improvements that have already been made in the area, and of impending projects.

"I drive through that area regularly, not because I have a need to but because I like to see the improvements being done, and it’s phenomenal. The signage, the lighting, the sidewalks, the work that Mr. Jeffrey and the Car Museum are doing," said Alderman Matthew Caldwell. "It’s just a massive transformation, and it’s just starting. I mean, you said this was Phase 1A that’s been completed. What a difference."

"To not continue to support it, in my mind, would be foolish," he added.

Alderman Robert Jeffrey echoed Caldwell's sentiment, stating that the renovations are a sign of progress.

"One thing that somebody had said to me when I was looking at colleges a long time ago was that, 'You may see some construction, but it’s a sign of progress.' And we’ve seen a massive amount of construction in the Rexford Street area, and so I’m hoping that this body, if we can, [will] move forward and keep progress moving," he said.

The council voted unanimously to move the topic to the common council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 15, where a final vote will take place.

In addition to city support, several local foundations have also contributed to the projects. They include the R.C. Smith Foundation, the Greater Norwich Foundation, the Norwich Building Tomorrow (NBT) Foundation, and more.

"We’re so fortunate that our local foundations are able to chip in and support projects like this. You know, it doesn't come with a lot of rules and regulations like many grants do, especially at a city level," said LoPresti. "We’re just extremely fortunate for the contributions from those local foundations in order to let this good work continue."

The NBT Foundation not only provided the seed money needed for work to begin, they also created the Curb Appeal Program which reimbursed museum district homeowners for improvements to their own properties. LoPresti said this is something they hope to expand in this next wave of renovations.

"The NBT Foundation actually gave us some money to do some Curb Appeal in that area, and we’re looking to expand that program as well," she said. "So more to follow on that, hopefully helping homeowners make some improvements to their houses which will overall make the area look better aesthetically."

LoPresti is hopeful the projects will get rolling in the spring and be completed by this fall, when Friends of the Museum District would like to hold an event showcasing the full scope of work done in the district.

"We’re looking to have a little celebratory event hopefully in October so that we can have everyone come down and take a new look at the area and see all the improvements there," she said. "Once again, I just want to thank the council for all your support and helping our all-volunteer committee do good things in our community, and hopefully you’ll allow us to continue to do so."