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By Govornor's office-state of Connecticut
Governor M. Jodi Rell has announced that six brownfield sites throughout the state have been selected for the second round of funding through Connecticut’s Municipal Brownfield Pilot Program, which Rell expanded through legislation she proposed in 2007.
Six sites will receive a total of $2.25 million in state funding to assist in returning formerly abandoned, contaminated or otherwise unproductive property to commercial and residential uses. Brownfield remediation – which creates jobs, economic development and taxable property, usually in urban areas where they are needed most – has long been a centerpiece of Governor Rell’s economic strategy for the state.
“Brownfield redevelopment is an important goal of mine because revitalizing these old sites is key to helping many communities turn their local economies around,” Governor Rell said. “These properties are opportunities for more housing, mixed-use development and recreational uses. And most importantly, they represent opportunities for community renewal and economic revitalization.
“Brownfields also bring a scare commodity – land – back into productive use,” the Governor said. “Rather than watching communities sprawl into untouched areas of our state, we can take these properties and make them whole again. That preserves the natural beauty of Connecticut for all to enjoy.
Funds from the Municipal Brownfield Pilot Program will be awarded for projects in Hartford, Madison, Meriden, Naugatuck, Putnam and Waterbury. The funds were approved by the state Bond Commission in December.
The program was first created in 2006 and expanded in 2007 at the Governor’s direction. Under the program, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) selects municipalities for participation. The categories are towns with less than 50,000 people; 50,000 to 100,000 people; and more than 100,000. One project is selected at the discretion of DECD’s commissioner.
Under the Governor’s leadership, the state has also developed the Targeted Brownfield Development Loan Program and established the Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development within DECD.
Projects selected for funding are:
Communities with more than 100,000 in population
Hartford will be awarded a $600,000 grant for the Swift Factory property on Love Lane to fund assessment, abatement and remediation. The property will house a business center, work force housing and an urban farm. Many of the positions associated with the project could be deemed green jobs. Waterbury will receive a $600,000 grant to remediate and assist with the construction of new warehouse space for tenants, utility trenching upgrades and a public works facility at 1875 Thomaston Avenue, also known as Waterbury Industrial Commons.
Community with between 50,000 and 100,000 in population
Meriden will receive a $300,000 grant for the property at 77 Cooper and 104 Butler streets, known as Factory H. The funding will be used for demolition, site stabilization for assessment and cleanup for open space and flood control infrastructure. The property will be a mixed-use development on the southern side of the city’s downtown redevelopment and TOD strategy.
Communities with less than 50,000 in population
Madison will use its $200,000 grant award to investigate, remediate and remove lead and asbestos at the former Griswold Airport located at 1362 Boston Post Road. The 41.4-acre property is adjacent to the Hammonassett State Park. Its conversion to a municipal park with athletic fields, a field house and trails will compliment the neighboring state park and open space. The plan also calls for up to 40,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space for the area.
Naugatuck will be awarded a grant of $50,000 to assess, investigate and perform a hazardous materials survey of the train station property at 195 Water Street. The Borough plans to reuse the site to support a restaurant as part of the initial phase of the Renaissance Place revitalization of the central business area.
Putnam will receive $500,000 for the property at 58 Pomfret Street, the Cargill Falls Mill site. The grant will go toward hazardous building materials inspection, testing and abatement for mixed-use development. The site is slated for office, residential, commercial, recreational and industrial uses. Cargill Falls Mills is a historic mill located on Route 44 and Kennedy Drive and is one of a number of mills identified by the Eastern Connecticut Brownfield Coalition. The coalition includes the Windham Region Council of Governments and the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments and was created to develop a regional strategy for brownfield prioritization and redevelopment.
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Industry Profiles
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Roger W. Gingles Baton Rouge, La.
Brownfields Coordinator for the Louisiana Dept. of Environmental Quality
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Paul Curran Lackawanna, N.Y.
Senior Executive Vice President, Axio Power & Apex Wind Energy
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Brownfield Stateside Report
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by Staff Report
In Michigan, some are predicting a better business climate for redevelopment and regulatory closure of contaminated properties thanks to a bill Michigan Governor Rick Snyder was scheduled to sign last week. The new regulations should have a positive impact on commercial real estate development and brownfields redevelopment resulting in the creation of jobs. |
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Susan Boyle
Mt. Laurel
Senior Environmental Practice Leader, GEI Consultants
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