Posted on Aug 15, 2017
The Downtown Westbrook Coalition sought out and found an enthusiastic and hardworking summer intern in Shannon Cilento, our speaker on August 15. Shannon hails from upstate New York and is a Cornell grad, where she received her MA in historic preservation planning this past May. She previously earned her BA in Anthropology & Archeology at Oswego State.
 
Shannon’s 10-week internship focused on three areas: Business Directory & Map, Historic Kiosk, and compilation & digitation of previous Plans and Studies.  All of her efforts were in furtherance of Downtown Westbrook Coalition’s application to become an accredited Main Street Program.
 
The business directory includes both businesses and property owners. She was able to identify 200 businesses - and growing. This directory compilation process included placing each business on a spatial map and obtaining emails from each business and property owner. One use of the email list will be to solicit information for a DWC calendar of events.
 
 
The first historic kiosk will be placed near the new Bridge St bridge. Work was done to obtain price quotes for a 3-sided structure, plan contents for the kiosk, and identify a location that would avoid utilities. It is envisioned that this will be the first of many placed as part of a historic walking trail along the Riverwalk.
 
In the past 20 years, or so, there have been approximately 30 Studies and Plans completed. These include Comprehensive Plans, Development Plans, Master Plans, Parking Studies, Revitalization Plans, etc. These plans have now been collected, reviewed, and digitized and are now being added to the DWC website in chronological order. There are many great ideas in these previous studies. Having them readily accessible will provide the ability to more easily revisit the plans and identify ideas and objectives that should be pursued.
 
Westbrook Mayor and WG Rotary member Mike Sanphy,
Downtown Coalition Director Abigail Cioffi,
Downtown Coalition Pres and WG Rotary VP Deb Shangraw,
Speaker Shannon Cilento, Rotary Pres-Elect Kate Wight,
Westbrook Councilor Ann Peoples, and
Downtown Coalition VP and WG Rotary member Phil Spiller.