The city of New Haven and other area communities are getting state funding to help clean up blight.
Gov. Ned Lamont on Dec. 12 announced that his administration was releasing about $24.6 million to help 16 municipalities remediate blighted parcels around the state, with a goal of getting the properties back into productive use.
The funding comes from the state Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Brownfield Remediation and Development Program.
“If we remediate these properties now, we can turn an eyesore into an asset, revitalize neighborhoods, and transform otherwise unusable property into new space for businesses and residents,” Lamont said.
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes called it “critically important” to remediate brownfields, noting that it will help boost the economy in addition to helping the environment.
Five cities and towns In Greater New Haven are among the 16 securing funding. They include:
New Haven: A $2 million grant for remediation and demolition of structures on 13 parcels of land on 7.6 acres at Dixwell Plaza (157-230 Dixwell Avenue) to enable redevelopment by ConnCORP. Phase 1 includes construction of the headquarters for the Connecticut Center for the Arts and Technology, a healthcare clinic, a daycare facility, 184 units of mixed-income housing, a food hall, grocery store and retail. Phase 2 will include a performing arts center, office buildings, and townhomes.
New Haven: A $1.3 million grant to clean up a 4.42-acre property at 16 Miller St. Plans are to construct 56 mixed-income rental apartments, a clubhouse community center, meeting space, management offices, coffee shop, interior parking, playground and a community gazebo.
New Haven: A $985,000 grant for remediation at the former New England Linen Supply Company site at 149-169 Derby Avenue. Monarch Apartment Homes LLC plans 67 affordable housing units featuring one, two and three bedrooms.
Ansonia: A $990,000 grant for remediation of the 2.84-acre former Farrel Corp. building at 501 East Main St. and 65 Main St. Shaw Growth Venture Inc. envisions redevelopment of the existing buildings, with a mix of approximately 200 affordable mixed-income residential and 20,000 square feet of commercial space.
Sheila O’Malley, Ansonia’s economic development director, said via email of the funding, “This is a significant step towards completely turning around a building that has been blighted and vacant since the late 1970s. This is a true public private partnership that will result in a more livable and walkable downtown Ansonia.”
Cheshire: A $925,000 grant for remediation of Building 1 of the 3.02-acre former Ball and Socket Manufacturing Co. property at 493 West Main St. to ready the building for redevelopment.
Derby: A $650,000 grant to remediate the 0.73-acre property located at 67-71 Minerva St. by the Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank, Inc. The developer, Cedar Village Minerva Square, LLC, plans to demolish the building and construct a four-story, 90-unit, mixed-income apartment building with ground-level parking.
Stratford: A $973,000 grant to finish remediation of the 10.5-acre site of the former Contract Plating Company property at 540 Longbrook Ave. Redevelopment plans include installation of a fuel cell on part of the property.
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.
