Ledyard Town Center Committee

Overview

 The Ledyard Town Center Committee (LTCC) was formed by a Town Council resolution in January 2006 and dissolved in July 2018. The Town Council charged the committee with developing recommendations for the future development of Ledyard Center. 
 

Ledyard Town Center

 Ledyard Center is located at the crossroads of 2 state highways: Routes 117 and 214. It is home to Ledyard Town Hall and is one of the main commercial areas in the town. 
 

Purpose

The committee met throughout 2006 and 2007 to review past plans for Ledyard Center, to frame a vision for the future of Ledyard Center, to work with a team from the University of Connecticut meeting with interested residents and organizations to:
  • Develop and discuss conceptual plans
  • Meet with interested developers
  • Frame the committees recommendations for moving forward with a plan

Member Responsibility

The LTCC was composed of 9 members appointed by the Ledyard Town Council. Its members are representative of various Ledyard land-use commissions, 2 Town Council members and 2 members-at-large. The Town Council charged the committee with the following responsibility, authorizing it as follows:
  • To develop recommendations for the future development and or redevelopment of Ledyard Center
  • To review previous sketches, photographs, and possible design scenarios of Ledyard Center, and prepare a conceptual design recommended for the future of Ledyard Center
  • To identify possible funding methods for Ledyard Center improvements
  • To recommend capital projects necessary to implement the formal development or redevelopment of Ledyard Center
The LTCC reviewed past plans (1965 and 1984) and studies regarding Ledyard Center, observing that those studies advocated development of a town green, considering development along the lines of a traditional New England setting important

Ledyard Center's PotentialThe Committee worked with the University of Connecticut School Of Landscape Architecture’s professor John Alexopoulos to assess Ledyard Center’s potential, and in the process compiled a list of pros and cons regarding the attractiveness of Ledyard Center for development.

FindingsThe LTCC presented the Town Council with its findings in the Report to the Town Council (PDF) on September 12, 2007. The Committee's final report (PDF) was updated in April of 2008.

Town Center Improvements

Small Town Economic Assistance (STEAP) Grant 2014

The purpose of this project is to enhance the aesthetic and economic character of Ledyard Town Center. Along with the new Police Station, the project could have a dramatic impact on Ledyard Center. The funds sought for this project will be used for the construction of streetscape amenities & improvements throughout the center of Ledyard Center.  The project area will consist of Zones 4, 5 & 6 of the attached Vision Plan for Ledyard Center (Ledyard Center Conceptual Plan Cost Areas). 
 
Zone 4 – Town Green Phase 2 will consists of completion of the Town Green including: a new stage/ community theater, new parking paving and curbing, lighting, upgraded power services to facilitate large events, new soil, lawn & irrigation, trees & plantings, reconfigured walking track and a new expanded crosswalk to facilitate safe access to the Green. 
Zone 5 – School Improvements will expand/continue the streetscape initiated at the Town Green, and consists of: street trees and stone walls along the frontage of the school. 
Zone 6 – Town Hall Improvements will consist of: a new street-side plaza with stone walls, lights, benches, and plantings & trees.  Additionally, the streetscape will be continued along the western edge of Rte 117 by reducing excess pavement, defining/narrowing driveway entrances and adding new sidewalks and street trees.
 
When complete, this project will connect all municipally owned properties within the center of Town with a continuous improved streetscape including stone walls, street trees and sidewalks.