Mansfield Designated a 'Crown Community' for Storrs Center Development

MANSFIELD, CT — American City & County has awarded the town of Mansfield a Crown Community award for the development of Storrs Center, officials said Thursday.

The annual award is presented to several local governments across the United States for "execution of the most innovative and impressive community projects."

Projects submitted to American City & County for award consideration are judged by uniqueness and value to the community, as well as effective financing.

In 2001, the town, the University of Connecticut and local businesses collaborated to prepare an action plan for the development of Storrs Center, Mansfield officials said.

Using the Mansfield Downtown Partnership as the catalyst to oversee the planning and development of the Center, "stakeholders worked throughout the years to, gather community input about the project’s design and to organize its construction," Mansfield Town Manager Matthew Hart said.

“The public-private partnership approach we took was essential to construct the project according to our collective vision of a new urbanist downtown,” Hart said.

Fast-forward 15 years and the final phase of development has been completed.

The 47.7-acre, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented downtown district is now in full operation, Hart said.

"On top of the abundance of both rental and for-sale homes, Storrs Center offers extraordinary opportunities to businesses looking to take advantage of premier proximity to UConn, a uniquely captive market, and an aesthetically pleasing locality," Hart said.

Storrs Center features a 671-space parking garage as well as a public transportation center.

“We are honored to receive the American City & County 2016 Crown Community award," Hart said "The development of Storrs Center has been transformative for our community in many positive ways, and this recognition is something we can truly be proud of. Thank you to everyone involved in Storrs Center as well as those whom have supported us along the way.”

Photo Credit: Mansfield Downtown Partnership