Lawmakers Congratulate Towns of Shelton and Stratford on Brownfield Remediation Plans

Hartford – Local state legislators congratulated the towns of Shelton and Stratford for successfully securing two significant brownfield remediation grants. This week, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) awarded both towns funding to demolish and remediate two brownfield areas. Senators Kevin Kelly (R-21) and Andres Ayala (D-22) as well as Representatives Jason Perillo (R-113), Laura Hoydick (R-120) and Terry Backer (D-121) applaud these town achievements.

“Both towns have worked extremely hard to attain this well-deserved and much needed funding,” said Sen. Kelly. “I am proud to support these projects, which seek to enhance our communities by revitalizing blighted and unused areas. Congratulations to the local economic development offices and town staff in both Shelton and Stratford.”

Shelton

The Shelton Economic Development Corporation was awarded $1,019,470 to demolish and remediate the 0.9 acre former Chromium Processing parcel. This project will assist in the creation of a mixed use development and parking capacity in the revitalized downtown area.

“On behalf of the City of Shelton, I am proud to accept the Brownfield Remediation grant from the state. This is another cog in the wheel for the success of the City’s downtown area. The City has received several grants. The value of these investments, as I have mentioned before, have been recognized by four governors. The grant allows the City to advance to the next level, in terms of private and public investments, which will support the City’s commitment to the redevelopment of its downtown,” said Mayor Mark Lauretti of Shelton.

“Handling the Chromium Process site is key to the continued redevelopment of Downtown Shelton. This is one more step in the right direction,” said Rep. Perillo.

Stratford

The Town of Stratford was awarded a grant of $2,850,000 to demolish and remediate the 10.5 acre Contract Plating site. This area lies within Stratford’s Transit Oriented Development District (TOD). The site will be used for mixed use / TOD development.

“This grant award is a direct result of the focus, hard work and due diligence by the office of economic development and other pertinent town staff,” said Mayor John Harkins (R-Stratford). “These funds will allow the Town to clean up a long-vacant and contaminated property without placing an additional burden on the property taxpayers of Stratford. I’d like to thank DECD for its continued support of economic development in Stratford.”

“Revitalizing and repurposing brownfield properties is good for the community and a good investment for all our taxpayers. I’m pleased these areas will be cleaned up, will again be useful pieces of property, and back on the tax rolls” Rep. Hoydick said. “In Stratford’s case, the grant obtained collaboratively through our economic development and conservation departments will allow us to move forward with smart investment, expand the use of our transit oriented district and also increase the appeal of Stratford.”

“Revitalizing Stratford keeps the momentum going in reactivating this priority brownfield site,” said Rep. Backer. “Investments in the cleanup of contaminated lands mean reduced public health and environmental risks, economic growth, and job creation.”

“Brownfield remediation projects like these pave the way to a bright future for our communities,” said Sen. Ayala, who also represents grant recipients in nearby Bridgeport. “These unused pieces of land will be transformed into space that will house new families, welcome businesses into the neighborhood, and provide our children with new educational opportunities. I thank Governor Malloy for his continued support for Bridgeport and Stratford.”

During the past two years, the state has invested more than $62 million in 37 projects to remediate contaminated sites in more than two dozen cities and towns statewide. Awards made in this round of funding may be used for the following:

• brownfield remediation
• redevelopment
• abatement
• demolition
• site investigation and assessment
• groundwater monitoring

Professional service fees associated with redevelopment including attorney’s fees, and planning, design and consulting fees are also covered in the grants and loans.

All projects were rated and ranked by committee based on applicant’s financial need, the feasibility of both the remediation and redevelopment project and the project’s consistency with responsible growth and livability initiatives.

For more on DECD’s state brownfield redevelopment programs and additional information on the rating and ranking criteria for this funding round, visit www.ctbrownfields.gov.