BRUNSWICK

Hoping to start work as soon as next spring, the town soon will send out requests for design, traffic engineering and construction proposals to build a connector road between Gurnet Road and Tibbetts Drive.

An existing preliminary design shows a road cutting from the traffic signal intersection on Gurnet Road by the entrance to Sears, past the Regal Cinema and through where the former Atrium Inn once stood, before crossing Thomas Point Road and finally linking with Tibbetts Drive.

Construction of the road is intended to stimulate new economic development in the Cook’s Corner area, Town Manager Gary Brown said.

The project could be funded through existing tax increment financing district revenue, creation of a new TIF district specific to Cook’s Corner, or through about $175,000 in “big box fees” paid by large warehouse retailers such as Lowe’s Home Improvement and Walmart when they move into Brunswick.

If the TIF money can be used, it would require no expenditures from the town’s General Fund, which would allow unspent money to be restored to the town’s budget for downtown development. Councilors voted 8-0 Monday to distribute the request for proposals.

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