City gets $200K grant for potential revitalization

HARTFORD — Fourteen municipalities across Connecticut will share $13.6 million in state funding to assess, remediate and revitalize blighted properties in their communities — also known as brownfields — and put them back into productive use. The projects encompass 89 acres of redevelopment, according to a release by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

“These kinds of properties that have been vacant for decades are causing blight in neighborhoods, draining local resources, and having a negative impact on towns and cities,” Malloy said in the release. “We can add value in our communities by making smart investments that repurpose these properties, resulting in a boost for local economies and spurring growth and private investments.”

Monday’s round of funding announcements includes a total of $12.1 million that will be awarded to eight remediation and redevelopment projects, totaling just over 34 acres. An additional $1.5 million will be awarded to eight assessment projects that will prepare for the future revitalization of additional properties, including one in Middletown, consisting of almost 52 acres. All of the funds will be awarded through the Department of Economic and Community Development.

Middletown will get a $200,000 grant for an investigation of a 0.3-acre parcel at 248 William St., an industrial property built in 1921 near Wesleyan University.

“The funding we are announcing today will positively impact cities and towns in a multitude of ways,” DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith said in the release. “These 16 projects will help spur commercial activity, promote transit-oriented development, create new housing, curb blight and address public health and safety concerns — all keys to boosting economic vibrancy.”

For every dollar the state has invested in brownfield redevelopment, non-state partners have invested or will invest $11.41, officials said in the release. Since 2012, the state has invested more than $220 million in brownfield redevelopment, resulting in the creation of more than 3,000 permanent jobs and over 15,000 construction jobs in the state.

“Brownfields are a reminder of Connecticut’s proud industrial past, but in too many cases they have become a burden on communities and a threat to public safety, human health, and the environment,” state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Rob Klee said. “Redevelopment of brownfields is a wise investment that removes these threats and restores these properties to productive use. This takes advantage of existing roads, water, sewer and other infrastructure while lessening development pressure on open space. DEEP is proud to continuing working with DECD and our municipal and private sector partners on these important projects.”

Monday’s round of state brownfield projects include: $1.5 million for 400 Iranistan Ave. in Bridgeport for development of an affordable housing community; a $1.3 million grant to 89 Rose Hill Road in Danbury to demolish and remediate a former hat factory; a $1.9 million grant to demolish and remediate three properties on Homestead Avenue in Hartford, including a former metal foundry manufacturing facility; and a $2 million grant for abatement and demolition of a portion of a former hospital structure and parking garage at 1 King Place in Meriden.

For more information about DECD’s brownfield redevelopment programs or other cities getting funding this week, visit www.ctbrownfields.gov.