While the unseasonably warm start to winter may have been unsettling to some, the mild weather allowed minor construction to continue on the Downtown Center Project, including completion of one new light fixture that gives a peek at how the completed project will look.

Economic Development Commission Chair Ryan Duques said the town is taking this time to perfect and plan parts of the project that will be completed in the spring, like the light fixtures.

“First Selectman Tom Banisch, Executive Director of the Chamber Eileen Banisch, and myself met with [Town Engineer] Mike Ott downtown [on Jan. 15] as a complete light fixture was placed at the top of the light pole by Nichols Electric,” he said. “This enabled us the ability to view what the completed light pole and fixture will look like.”

The downtown renovation is a multiple phase beautification and safety project that has or will replace concrete sidewalks with brick pavers, move utilities off the streetscape, widen and beautify the median island, improve pedestrian lighting and safety, and link the town center more clearly to neighboring areas like the green, Tuxis Pond, and the train station. Major construction for the project, which broke ground this past summer after more than a decade of planning, was completed on schedule for the season on Nov. 15, 2015, Duques said.

“This allowed Madison’s sidewalks and parking spaces to be completely open for the holiday season,” he said. “The sidewalks, tree grate, and light post installations were completed on the north side of town between Wall Street and the firehouse, including the intricate work in front of the post office.”

With little major weather yet this season, small construction details have been able to continue after the holidays.

“The project benefited from excellent weather during the fall,” he said. “While major construction hasn’t been possible, crews have been able to do small projects, such as installation of the bike racks, new sign posts and sign installation and preparing for the light fixture installation.”

The next big challenge in completing the multi-phase project will be ensuring funding to cover the estimated $1.4 million needed to finish construction.

“The Madison Center Project is listed in [the town’s] Capital Improvement Plan for $1 million, however it is our intention to aggressively pursue appropriate grants to fund the full remainder of the project,” Duques said. “In fact, we plan on applying for the Responsible Growth and Transit-Oriented Development state grant later this month.”

The grant would fully fund the completion of the project, according to Duques.

“I am optimistic that we may be awarded this grant as our project meets many of the qualifications, including integration of pedestrian walkways to transit hubs,” he said. “The second phase of the Madison Center Project incorporates enhancements to the Tuxis Walkway entrance and the walkway itself, which is direct link to the Madison Train Station.”

Major project construction will resume as soon as possible, according to Duques.

“Construction of the south side of downtown and the center median will begin sometime in spring, once the threat of snow has passed,” he said.