by Donald Eng
WEST HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut could see more than 800 new housing units in 13 communities through a round of state brownfield remediation grants totaling $28.2 million.
State and local officials unveiled the plan at the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford Wednesday morning. The grants are being released through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program. The projects, 16 in all, are projected to redevelop more than 200 acres of land for about 835 housing units, with 157 designated as affordable.
“By cleaning up blighted and vacant properties, we can put this land back into productive use in smart ways that support the growth of businesses and new jobs, and also to build new housing, which is significantly needed,” Gov. Ned Lamont said. “Through the remediation of these properties, we are creating new opportunities to revitalize neighborhoods and transform otherwise unusable lots into new spaces where businesses can thrive and residents can live.”
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said the redevelopment projects dovetailed with the housing bill that recently passed in special session.
“We have said in that bill, ‘Communities, take a look. See what derelict properties there are out there and build housing,’” Bysiewicz said.
The grants include:
- $3 million to the Bridgeport Economic Development Corp. to support soil remediation at a 16-acre site on Seaview Ave. that was formerly home to a steel mill. The remediation will enable Bridgeport Boatworks and Hornblower Marine to expand into newly constructed and existing buildings while preparing the site for additional development’
- $4 million for materials abatement and demolition at the former Enfield Square Shopping Center in preparation for a mixed-use development featuring 450 housing units and 350,000 square feet of entertainment, retail and commercial space.
- $6 million for environmental cleanup at the 33.9-acre privately-owned site located at 1800 Asylum Ave. in West Hartford formerly occupied by UConn. Once cleaned, the site will be redeveloped to include 28 townhomes for purchase, 93 rental units, 87 assisted living units, and commercial spaces.
- $8 million for demolition, remediation and site assessment at two properties on Mason Street in Greenwich that formerly housed a Honda dealership and other industrial tenants for redevelopment into 75 housing units
- $4 million to the Shelton Economic Development Corporation for cleanup of a 1.3-acre, privately owned site located at 235 Canal Street to enable the construction of 100 units of housing.
Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe of DECD said the funding had a significant impact in many areas, especially supporting the creation of new housing.
“Our investments in these dormant, polluted sites are critical to helping communities capitalize on opportunities for reinvention,” O’Keefe said.