Funding awarded to revitalize blighted properties in NB

November 29, 2017

New Britain lawmakers touted efforts to spur economic development and combat the city’s blighted properties through the approval of $1.7 million in funding to assess or redevelop its brownfield sites.

New Britain was one of 14 municipalities selected to receive a portion of $13.6 million in state-funded grants to combat blight across Connecticut. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced the round of funding Monday. This funding includes $12.1 million in grants for eight remediation and redevelopment projects, and an additional $1.5 million for eight assessment projects.

These funds will help turn these blighted properties back into productive use.

New Britain has been awarded:

  • A $1.5 million grant to remediate 24 Dwight Court, a 1-acre former coal and oil facility that abuts the CTfastrak station, preparing it for redevelopment.
  • A $200,000 grant for the investigation of two sites that include 1411 E. St., a 1-acre parcel adjacent to Central Connecticut State University and CTfastrak, and 495 Myrtle St., a 4.4-acre parcel.

“These state-funded grants are key investments in cleaning up New Britain’s neighborhoods and strengthening our local economy. By revitalizing and redeveloping these blighted properties, not only are we increasing our tax base, but we are setting the foundation for New Britain to become the economic driver our state needs to thrive. I thank the governor and the New Britain delegation for bringing these projects to fruition,” said state Rep. Rick Lopes, D-New Britain.

“We on the New Britain delegation have worked for years to secure these brownfield redevelopment funds that pay for the challenging work of reclaiming old industrial facilities and preparing them for the future. New Britain has been particularly successful in capitalizing on access to CTfastrak stations to encourage residential and business growth. By supporting this project, we are supporting continued development of our city that will grow the local economy and make New Britain an even better place for families to live and companies to do businesses,” said state Sen. Terry Gerratana, D-New Britain.

“Brownfields have been the scourge of many urban districts across the state and as such we must capitalize on any opportunity to address and decrease them,” said state Rep. Robert Sanchez, D-New Britain. “This is a great investment in New Britain that will yield good returns for many years to come.”

Connecticut has invested more than $220 million in brownfield redevelopment since 2012. Through this, more than 3,000 permanent jobs and 15,000 construction jobs have been created in the state.

All of the funds will be awarded through the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

For more information about DECD’s brownfield redevelopment programs, visit www.ctbrownfields.gov.