Robert Sanchez

Representative Bobby Sanchez (D-New Britain) joined his colleagues on New Britain’s legislative delegation and Governor Dannel P. Malloy in announcing that New Britain is being awarded a state grant to develop plans for remediating and developing clusters of brownfield sites.

“I am delighted to see the approval of this necessary funding to keep enhancing the benefits of the East Main Street CTfastrak station,” Representative Bobby Sanchez (D-New Britain) said. “Transit oriented development is the wave of the future and, with this grant, New Britain will continue to be at the forefront of this trend.”

New Britain will receive a $200,000 grant for detailed site planning and redevelopment, environmental analyses, and identification of a Master Developer for potential Transit Oriented Development sites around the East Main Street CTfastrak station

“We are committed to remediating brownfield sites in all corners of our state because this type of redevelopment serves to create new jobs, utilize existing infrastructure, and improve and protect the health of our citizens and the environment,” Governor Malloy said. “This new brownfields program is rewarding the communities that are prepared to undertake major developments for blighted areas. The municipalities chosen have demonstrated that they are committed and willing to strategically transform their communities.”

New Britain is one of six Connecticut communities receiving brownfield remediation grants today. The funds are being awarded through the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Brownfield Area-Wide Revitalization (BAR) Grant program, a pilot program which received unanimous support in the General Assembly and was signed into law last summer by Governor Malloy. The BAR grant program encourages communities to consider areas such as neighborhoods, downtowns, waterfront districts, or other sections with multiple brownfields and develop strategies to assess, clean up, and reuse the parcels for business, housing, and public amenities that will generate jobs and revenues and revitalize the entire area.

“These latest investments reaffirm the fact that Connecticut is a leader in brownfield redevelopment, not only in terms of dollars invested but also in the creative new ways we are collaborating with municipalities and other organizations to overcome obstacles to redevelopment,” DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith said.

“Many cities and towns across Connecticut are burdened by multiple brownfields in an area or neighborhood. Determining how to best clean up and reuse these sites is a challenge that requires both a strong technical understanding of the contamination on each site and an understanding of what type of reuse will best serve a neighborhood and its residents,” Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Rob Klee said. “These grants will help cities and towns to consider brownfield redevelopment in a holistic manner that protects human health and the environment and considers what is best for a neighborhood and its residents. DEEP is proud to continue to work with cities and towns, the private sector, DECD and other state and federal agencies to set a national example of how brownfield redevelopment can be a win for both the economy and the environment.”