Courtney announces EPA grants to fund brownfield cleanups in Willimantic, New London

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney today announced that Renaissance City Development Association in New London and Willimantic Whitewater Partnership secured grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for $400,000 and $200,000, respectively, to clean up local brownfield sites.

The grant for New London will be used to clean up hazardous substances at Howard and Shaw Streets—a site previously developed with residences, a restaurant, and a commercial warehouse building that was occupied by a bakery, plumber, and boat builder. Grant funds also will be used to clean up a parcel at Howard and Hamilton Streets, which previously housed bottling works, an appliance warehouse, and a chemical manufacturing company. Both sites are contaminated with heavy metals and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

In Willimantic, hazardous substances grant and petroleum grant funds will be used to clean up the Bridge Street property at 27-28 Bridge Street, which was originally home to the Quidnick-Windham Manufacturing Company. The mill building was demolished in the 1940s, and the site was subsequently developed with a gas station, car wash, and fuel oil terminal. Soil at the site is contaminated with polyaromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals.

"For many communities in eastern Connecticut, economic growth is stymied by abandoned properties contaminated from prior use. This funding provides the tools to restore such parcels in New London and Willimantic." said Congressman Courtney. "By assisting the clean-up of these sites, EPA is playing a critical role in rehabilitating neighborhoods and fostering economic growth. This is an excellent example of a targeted investment creating new opportunities in our communities."