The buildings eligible for the grant are properties that need work because they are vacant following businesses closing, have been neglected by their owner, or were damaged by fire. The current list of properties has 41 that will receive grant money, spread out across 16 municipalities and covering a combined area of 86 acres. They will receive a total of $24.6m worth of funding from the state. Another $625m from private donors will also be used for the projects.
In the announcement, Katie Dykes from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said:
“Remediation of brownfields is critically important for the health of our environment, and the health of our communities. Ensuring that these sites are properly cleaned up will contribute to safer communities and will open the door to significant economic benefit once remediated.”
Dykes also said that brownfields are the wiser option when looking for places to redevelop. Brochure printing could be used to share a developer’s vision for a project.
Waterbury is one of the cities that will be receiving state funding. The money will be used to complete the cleanup of plots located at 359 Mill St. and 77 South Main St. Existing food hubs will be expanded and 50 raised garden beds will be constructed for the community. There will also be facilities for beekeeping, cooking outdoors, and landscaping with native plants.