Press Releases
09/18/2024
DEEP Announces $485,000 in State Remediation Grants
Awards Support Assessment and Remediation of Blighted Properties in Four Municipalities; New Funding Round Open Today
(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced the release of $485,000 in state grant dollars to support the assessment and remediation of blighted properties across four Connecticut municipalities, and announced the opening of the next round of funding under this program. The grants announced today, part of the first round of a new DEEP grant program, will fund projects spanning more than 133 acres of land, with the goal of revitalizing brownfield sites into public spaces and other beneficial uses.
The program is funded through a grant awarded to DEEP by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the CERCLA 128(a) State and Tribal Response Program in EPA’s Brownfields Program, made possible by the Biden/Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Administered by DEEP’s Remediation Division through its Brownfields Program, these grants are set to transform neglected properties into community assets, such as parks, greenways, and other municipal or non-profit spaces. A key focus of the program is to ensure that at least 60% of the available funding is directed toward distressed municipalities located in environmental justice communities.
The funding announced today includes a $109,750 grant to complete environmental work at the Sterling Street Sanctuary and Nature Reserve, a 1.2-acre property located at 75 Sterling Street in Hartford. The property is in the Upper Albany Avenue Promise Zone.
This grant award enables Trust for Public Land and community partners at Sterling Street Sanctuary and Nature Reserve to conduct environmental assessments that will enable a larger collaborative community effort to legally designate this property as greenspace through a deed restriction or conservation easement. For several years, this property has been utilized by Kamora’s Cultural Corner and local residents. To avoid the prospect of the sale and development of the property, Kamora’s Cultural Corner turned to Trust for Public Land for assistance in creating the Sterling Street Sanctuary and Nature Reserve. Trust for Public Land, Kamora’s Cultural Corner, and KNOX Inc. are working in partnership to secure critical funding (including this grant) to continue the needed environmental assessment and remediation work and then permanently protect the property.
As described in the grant application, “Kamora’s Cultural Corner offers opportunities to celebrate diversity and marginalized voices, to foster community building, and to increase cultural awareness. Community members built raised beds to cultivate Collard Greens, Callaloo, and other herbs that hold cultural significance to those with ties to the Gullah Geechee region of the United States.” The Sanctuary Street space also features a gazebo for gathering and conversation, a labyrinth for mindfulness and meditation, and a stage for musicians and hosts events produced by local artists for the Hartford community.
Gov. Ned Lamont and DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes were joined by local, state, and federal officials and stakeholders at Sterling Street Sanctuary and Nature Reserve on Wednesday to celebrate this funding award.
“This funding is making a real difference in our communities, helping municipalities and nonprofits protect and improve existing community spaces, and in some cases, kickstart remediation and redevelopment,” Gov. Lamont said. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to make an impact, and I thank our federal partners in the Biden-Harris Administration, EPA, and our federal delegation for delivering this funding to our communities.”
“The important work of the community is reflected in this vibrant corner of the Upper Albany Avenue Promise Zone,” said Commissioner Dykes. “We are thrilled to award these grant funds made possible by the Biden-Harris administration through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and are excited to partner with the City of Hartford, Knox, Inc., and others to braid funding sources for greenspaces in communities.”
“Outdoor areas that reflect and celebrate the culture and history of communities are vital,” said Walker Holmes, Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Region and Connecticut State Director for Trust for Public Land. "The Sterling Street Sanctuary and Nature Reserve stands as a model for the transformative power of community-led action in creating belonging and connection and TPL is proud to celebrate this space today."
The grants announced today under this round include:
Assessment:
- Hartford: $109,750 grant to perform various site assessments at Sterling Street Sanctuary, a 1.2-acre property located at 75 Sterling Street.The assessments will enable a larger collaborative community effort to legally designate this property as greenspace through a deed restriction or conservation easement.
- Norwich: $64,250 grant to update the environmental assessment work at the Capehart Mill Riverfront Park project. The funding will allow the City of Norwich to update the remedial plan necessary to redevelop the 6.05-acre property into a municipal riverfront park.
Remediation:
- Colchester: $250,000 grant to complete the scope of remediation work at the 2.5-acre property located at 139 Westchester Road (formerly the Norton Paper Mill).Redevelopment plans include the creation of an interpretive passive recreation facility to be named Norton Park.
- East Haddam: $61,000 grant to conduct remediation efforts on the 123.5-acre property formerly known as Honey Hill Farm located at 103 Honey Hill Road. This will enable the project to access additional funding already awarded through DEEP’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program (OWSA) for the purposes of purchasing and preserving open space in the state.
DEEP expects to make future grants available to municipalities and non-profits annually over the next three years. DEEP announced that starting today, it is accepting applications for Round 2 of this grant program. In this round, a total of $750,000 available, up to $250,000 per applicant for assessment or cleanup (no minimum request). The program is open to municipalities and non-profit organizations. Applications will be accepted until noon on Friday November 22, 2024. To apply for a grant, go to: Grants and Financial Assistance (ct.gov)
More information here:
Brownfields in Connecticut
Connecticut Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Team
- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110