The Board of Finance on Tuesday gave First Selectmen Ken Flatto the go-ahead to accept a $450,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant to enhance the beauty and economic vitality of a historic and well-traveled cornerstone commercial corridor of the town.

This corridor, according to Flatto's grant application, encompasses the area from Sherman Green on Post Road to Sanford Street to Unquowa Road. The project involves two key aspects: streetscape and beautification improvements along this triangular corridor and renovating a "rundown and vacant" second floor of a town-owned building on Sanford Street that houses the Fairfield Theatre Company and the Fairfield Arts Council.

Work is expected to begin this summer and conclude before next spring.

"I'm thrilled the town was able to obtain this grant," said Flatto Wednesday afternoon. "I want to commend [state] Sen. John McKinney and all of our state representatives for working so diligently to help the town secure this grant."

The Representative Town Meeting will consider the request at its May 19 meeting.

STEAP funds economic development, community conservation and quality of life projects for localities that are ineligible to receive Urban Action bonds. Flatto, in his grant application, asked that the town be allowed to use some of the $450,000 to make improvements to 70 Sanford St. as there have been an increasing number of leaks in the roof over the past three years. Also, the town wants to make vacant space

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Of the $450,000, $150,000 of those funds are being requested for design, planning and construction, including hiring a landscape architect, to produce a concept plan for upgrading Sherman Green, Sanford and Unquowa Road. The concept plan will include adding street furniture and replacing the chain-link fence at the corner of Sanford and Carter Henry Drive, which the grant application describes as a "visual eyesore." In addition, there is a plan to extend the Post Road streetscape design to this triangular area "to connect all the elements in a uniform, [aesthetically] pleasing plan."

Three hundred thousand dollars of the $450,000 will go toward the design, planning and construction of the upstairs portion of 70 Sanford St. The grant application noted that 70 Sanford St. is steps away from the train station, downtown area, two middle schools and the main library. Work would include roof repairs, rehabilitating a second floor that is in serious need of repair, and installation of an HVAC system and sprinklers. The building also has a dilapidated walkway from the second floor to the bridge over Unquowa Road that needs to be rebuilt.

"With increased traffic, it would be prudent to re-open this defunct walkway to improve access and safety for commuters and pedestrians," said the grant application. When the upstairs is renovated, the town will use the space 1,200 square feet or so, according to Flatto for arts, cultural and filming purposes.

The grant application added, "Fairfield has a strong base of residents who support the arts, which also provides educational opportunities for our students and senior citizens. The town would like to continue to enhance this unique building which is the town's only 'arts center.' The town is separately financing and has performed drainage improvements in this entire area to reduce past flooding problems."

Flatto said the planned work is the second phase of a long-term goal to beautify Fairfield Center. The first phase was a railroad corridor improvement project that took place seven or eight years ago. The project, which covered areas around five railroad underpasses, included sidewalk expansion and installation of street lanterns among other beautification measures such as tree plantings from Southport to Mill Plain Road.