City gets grants for brownfield clean-ups
Gov. Gina Raimondo and the state Department of Environmental Management on Tuesday announced $3.26 million in brownfields grants, about half of it for seven projects in Pawtucket, Central Falls and Woonsocket.
In Woonsocket, the awards include $292,800 for the redevelopment of the former Seville Dyeing property, 117229 First Ave., as a 1.5 megawatt solar array, state officials said. The plans call for the installation of a “bioventing” remediation system to clean up some of the site’s petroleum-contaminated soil.
In addition, the city received $100,000 for site preparation of two adjacent
parcels, 92-176 Sunnyside Ave., also targeted for redevelopment as a solar farm. The city will use the funds to complete additional pollution assessment of the roughly five-acre parcel, which has a long history of industrial uses.
A third award for the city is 91,600 for the continued rehabilitation of the Woonsocket Sponging 0ill, 115 Picard St., which is adjacent to Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center and Woonsocket igh School. The developer plans to collaborate with the city on using the project as a vehicle to create trade and vocational opportunities for students.
0ayor Lisa Baldelli- unt applauded the governor’s announcement as “a smart investment in clean energy and education.
“Brownfields redevelopment returns vacant and underused properties to productive use, mitigates environmental impacts, provides jobs and tax revenue, and revitalizes communities, said the mayor. “I appreciate the investment overnor Raimondo and the Department of (nvironmental 0anagement are making in the city that I am proud to lead, she said.
In Pawtucket, the Tidewater Landing project, a sprawling mixed-used development along the Blackstone 5iver, is among the recipients of the brownfields cash. The city will receive 190,000 for continued site assessment for the project, which includes a soccer stadium, housing, a hotel, commercial space and a riverwalk.
Proposed by fortuitous Partners, the public-private partnership is project is projected to result in over 1,100 temporary and permanent jobs.
The city received an additional 195,000 for site assessment associated with the Pawtucket Town Landing, which is part of the Tidewater project.
And Pawtucket received 400,000 for redevelopment of Dexter Street Commons, a mixed used project associated with the proposed train station.
“On behalf of the city of Pawtucket, I thank overnor Raimondo and RID(0 led by -anet Coit for providing some of the necessary funds to remediate sites throughout our city, said 0ayor Donald 5. rebien. “Tidewater Landing and Dexter Street Commons are catalysts for the transformation of Pawtucket for years to come, and we are grateful for the state’s continued support and collaboration.
Fortuitous founder Brett -ohnson said the grants will allow the company to identify and plan for any environmental remediation that might be required for work to proceed. e said Tidewater “will create hundreds of new good-paying jobs and generate “millions in new tax revenue with “tremendous waterfront amenities.
Central )alls took home 380,393 to restore the ballfields at Dexter Street Commons. The restoration of the onetime industrial site will provide the city with much needed open space, officials say.
The Blackstone Valley awards were among 13 announced for seven cities and towns, including Providence, 5ichmond, Scituate and West Warwick. The funding comes from the reen (conomy Bond that was approved by voters in 2018.
Polluted industrial sites, known as brownfields, occupy many acres of potentially reusable commercial and industrial space within the state’s urban corridors.
“Investing in the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields creates jobs, spurs economic growth, and promotes healthy communities, said Gov. Raimondo. “These grant awards are particularly well-timed to help stimulate our economy, putting 5hode Islanders back to work on shovel-ready projects.