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EPA TO HELP COMMUNITIES REDEVELOP CONTAMINATED PROPERTIES - Connecticut

Release Date: 03/11/1999
Contact Information: Amy Miller, EPA Press Office (617-918-1042)

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's New England Office announced today it will invest $820,000 to assess environmental conditions at 14 abandoned, contaminated sites in 13 New England communities, including seven in Connecticut: Bridgeport, Bristol, Derby, Ledyard, Norwich, Plainfield and Shelton.

"This is an investment in New England's urban centers. Suburban sprawl threatens our environmental and economic future. One way to control sprawl is to reuse forgotten, abandoned urban properties and turn them into urban economic development opportunities," said John P. DeVillars, EPA's New England Administrator. "Brownfields redevelopment is an example of smart economics and smart growth. These site assessments are important steps towards reuse of these properties."

Under the agency's Brownfields program, environmental consultants contracted by EPA will perform the assessments - ranging in value from $35,000 to $75,000 each - to determine the nature and extent of contamination on the properties, and to estimate the costs of cleaning up the site for redevelopment. The assessments, which are scheduled to begin by early summer, generally take several months to complete.

EPA-New England's Brownfields program has helped communities restore and develop dozens of contaminated urban properties across New England, resulting in the creation of thousands of jobs and generating millions of dollars in income and tax revenue. In Connecticut, EPA funded a site evaluation of the former Jenkins Valve property in Bridgeport. A developer subsequently agreed to invest $11 million to clean and redevelop this site, which is now home to a 5,500-seat baseball park, an ice-skating rink and a museum.

The following is a brief description of the properties that will be evaluated in Connecticut:

Bridgeport
Swan Engraving:
This is a two-acre former industrial site located at 385 Hanover St. next to a neighborhood park. Future plans call for demolition of the existing building and expanding the adjacent park. Estimated cost of site assessment is $50,000.

50 Miles Street:
This is a 3/4-acre former industrial site at 50 Miles St. that will be redeveloped into light industry or commercial use. Estimated cost of site assessment is $50,000.

Bristol
H.J. Mills Property:
This 1.3-acre former industrial site at 149-151 Church St. is in a City Enterprise Zone. Reuse plans include a parking lot and commercial/retail use.
Estimated cost of site assessment is $35,000.

Derby
Downtown area:
Two of 26 parcels in the 40-acre Downtown Business Revitalization District will be assessed for redevelopment as commercial and retail space. The downtown is filled with old, abandoned mills. Estimated cost of site assessment is $40,000.

Ledyard
Erickson Property:
This 2.9-acre former gas station and automotive repair facility at 110/114 Military Highway is located adjacent to the Thames River. Future use includes plans for a marine science school and open space. Estimated cost of site assessment is $50,000.

Norwich
ROTO-Print Site:
This 5-acre former industrial site at 2 Taftville-Occum Road (Route 97) is located on the Quinebaug River and offers Norwich the opportunity for additional recreational/open space along the riverfront. Estimated cost of site assessment is $75,000.

Plainfield
Interroyal Site:
This 16.6-acre former industrial property at 20 Reservoir Road will be developed as light industrial/retail use.
Estimated cost of site assessment is $75,000.

Shelton
Samarius Property:
This 0.39-acre site at 123 Canal St. along the Housatonic River in downtown Shelton will be developed into a "corporate office park" and open space.
Estimated cost of site assessment is $75,000.