Stonington Achieves a Double Win for the Competitive Brownfield Municipal Grant Program

The proposed Mystic River Boathouse Park is one of two Stonington grant recipients

Governor Lamont announced that the Department of Economic and Community Development is awarding over $19 million dollars in funding for the 13th competitive round of Brownfields Municipal Grants.  A total of 52 applications were received and only 31 of them were funded.

 “Cleaning up blighted properties that have been vacant for decades and putting them into productive use will ultimately generate back many more times the amount of these grants through private investments,” Governor Lamont said. “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.”

Stonington earned not one but two awards in the competitive application process. 

The first award is for $139,000 to be utilized at 75 Stillman Avenue for assessment activities to enable the future redevelopment of the former location of Stillmanville Mill.

The second award is for $753,889 to be utilized for remediation and abatement of the property at 123 Greenmanville Avenue, formerly occupied by the Rossie Velvet Mill for redevelopment into the Mystic River Boathouse Park.

“These grant opportunities are critical to unlocking the hidden potential of underutilized and contaminated properties.  The redevelopment of these brownfields is an important component to bringing back the connections in our neighborhoods that have been lost because of environmental contamination.  These grant funds will bring new jobs and new opportunities for both our residents and our visitors to enjoy here in Stonington, our special place we call home,” said Director of Economic and Community Development, Susan Cullen. 

The exceptional efforts of Susan Cullen, Director of Economic and Community Development and Selectwoman Debbie Downie resulted in an efficient and comprehensive approach to the grant writing team.  Members of the Eastern Connecticut Land Bank, the Economic Development Commission and members of the Mystic Boathouse Park Committee were instrumental in adding value to the process.

“Both of these projects represent years of collaboration from so many people in our community.  From resident volunteers serving on Boards to elected officials to Town staff – past and present.  We are so grateful to everyone who made this moment possible and cant wait to see these years of efforts come to fruition for both properties,” shared First Selectman, Danielle Chesebrough.

For more information, visit Governor Lamont Announces Funding to Remediate 31 Blighted Properties in 23 Towns and Cities and Put Them Back Into Productive Use