New London ― A two-pronged plan to reconfigure Governor Winthrop Boulevard and renovate the Garde Arts Center’s loading area took a step forward Thursday as contractors toured the future construction site.

The site walk attracted representatives of several development companies interested in tackling one or both parts of the projects. Though the road and theater projects are being bid separately, city officials said they hoped the same contractor will be awarded both jobs.

The goal of the project is to expand space behind the 325 State St. theater to make it easier for touring productions to load and unload gear, costumes and large set pieces.

Garde Executive Director Steve Sigel said he hopes the expanded loading space will lead to more diverse acts coming to New London.

“Over time, shows have gotten bigger, even musical events with their new technology,” he said. “And those acts look at ease of access before deciding to go to a venue. These projects will make those national tours take New London more seriously.”

The narrowness of the boulevard currently precludes direct backstage loading, Sigel said. The building renovation work will transform a rolling rear door into a true loading dock with space for large trucks to enter and unload inside.

“We’re basically taking one lane of the street and creating an off-stage dock platform,” Sigel said. “In the past we’ve had to hire forklifts since there’s no ramp there now.”

The city plans to deed to the theater about 23 feet of municipal property abutting the rear section of the playhouse extending out into Governor Winthrop Boulevard, city Public Works Director Brian Sear said.

Crews will be tasked with realigning roughly 250 feet of the street by adding a new sidewalk and curbing, removing a grass median strip and eliminating parking on the theater side of the road. The opposite boulevard lanes running toward Huntington Street will be narrowed.

The work will require shifting several underground utility lines and removing the left turn lane at the intersection of Union Street. A median running near that intersection will be widened and landscaped.

A portion of a $2.7 million state Communities Challenge Grant funding, which the city received to boost downtown projects, will be used for the theater work. In order to receive the grant, the theater is required to provide $1 million in matching funds.

The road project, which Sear said will not necessitate traffic detours, is expected to be paid with infrastructure bond money recently approved by the City Council. There was no cost estimate for that work.

City Engineering Technician Tom Quintin told the group of contractors Thursday he envisions an “aggressive” project schedule with the road work beginning within weeks of a bid award and all phases of construction completed before October.

The Garde and the city are scheduled to open bids for the work on March 15.

j.penney@theday.com