The grant, awarded by the Department of Transportation, will fund continued downtown improvements.

In FY2009, Welch secured $380,000 in funding for sidewalk, streetlight, signage and aesthetic upgrades to Main Street and Taylor Park as part of a comprehensive, local economic revitalization project, known as the streetscapes project. The project will increase accessibility and safety in an historic and economically vital corridor of the city.

The multi-phased project includes the comprehensive redesign of Main Street sidewalks; replacement of street lights, traffic signal arms, and traffic lights; replacement of street trees to better manage storm water; and the construction of signage. Street and traffic lights will be replaced with energy efficient LED lights.

"This will help St. Albans advance its vision for strengthening its historic downtown. Streetscape projects like this are about more than just making our downtowns more attractive. They are about leveraging new economic development and making housing and services more accessible to residents and visitors," said Leahy.

"I am pleased that the city has won this federal investment in its historic downtown," said Sanders. "This funding will not only help St. Albans preserve its downtown environment, it will help preserve and sustain the natural environment, including implementing better ways to deal with storm water runoff and using innovative energy-efficient, energy-saving LED lighting in public spaces."

"It is great news the City of St. Albans continues to receive federal support for this important downtown project. The streetscapes redevelopment will help the City continue to create jobs, improve its economic development, save energy, and preserve its unique historic character," said Welch. "In working with city officials over the years on this critical project, it is clear the people of St. Albans recognize the incredible value to the community of improving their downtown region."

St. Albans City Mayor Marty Manahan said, "This project is a key component our downtown redevelopment plans and our efforts to help the City improve on its economic development potential."

"Our streetscapes project is about increasing the curb appeal of Main Street. The City has great design and character and this project helps highlight those assets," added St. Albans City Manager Dominic Cloud.