(photo) Watertown Lawmakers Applaud Bill to Revitalize Main Street

May 2, 2016

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Sen. Rob Kane and Rep. Eric Berthel are applauding the Connecticut State Senate’s Apr. 30 passage of legislation to establish “Renaissance Districts” where tax abatements could be offered to cultural institutions.

The idea was sparked by Swift Middle School students who said they wanted to see a spruced up downtown that was spruced up and empty storefronts filled.

“I am a small business owner, and small business owners want to see more foot traffic on our Main Streets,” Sen. Kane said. “We want to see more local families and out-of-town visitors come to downtown, do some shopping, supporting small businesses, and enjoying a night out and a great quality of life. This legislation will support the merchants of Main Street while helping us leave Watertown a better place than we found it.”

This bill allows municipalities to abate up to 100% of the property taxes on otherwise taxable property used for arts and culture, including art galleries and studios, installation galleries, movie theaters, performance venues, and stores and restaurants catering or relating to the arts.

“We’d like to revitalize the Clockwork Repertory Theatre in Oakville, and the Country Cinema in Watertown to create a theater district,” Rep. Berthel said. “This legislation will help towns across the state to establish renaissance districts in downtown areas where multiple arts and cultural sites are present.”

Kane and Berthel thanked local economic development officials for their work on the legislation. In particular, they recognized Watertown resident and former state lawmaker Richard Antonetti for his longtime advocacy of “Renaissance Districts”. Antonetti’s idea, they noted, would go a long way towards bringing renewed cultural and economic life to small towns like Watertown.

The bill awaits a vote in the House of Representatives. The legislative session ends May 4.

Attached photo: Sen. Rob Kane (left) and Rep. Eric Berthel (right) testify on Mar. 10 before the legislature’s Commerce Committee in support of legislation to establish “Renaissance Districts” where tax abatements could be offered to cultural institutions. The bill passed in the State Senate on Apr. 30 and awaits a vote in the House of Representatives.