FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 14, 2024

SEN. OSTEN, REPS. WILSON AND RYAN WELCOME $4 MILLION STATE INVESTMENT TO REMEDIATE CAPEHART MILL, CREATE RIVERFRONT PARK

NORWICH – State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) and state Representatives Derell Wilson (D-Norwich) and Kevin Ryan (D-Montville) today welcomed Governor Ned Lamont’s announcement that he has approved a series of state grants totaling $26.3 million to remediate and redevelop 130 acres of contaminated land in Connecticut, including $4 million for Norwich to clean up the former Capehart Textile Mill located in the Greeneville National Historic District and turn it into a riverfront park along the Shetucket River.

The state grant will be used to create a remedial action plan and an asbestos work plan, abatement, and demolition of buildings A & B, the skywalk, and 5th Street Bridge at the 6.05-acre former Capehart site.

“Like so many other vacant, blighted mill properties across the state, Capehart represents a part of Norwich’s historic manufacturing past. But now it’s an eyesore and a public safety hazard. We can turn it into a positive for the community, and that’s what this grant will help do,” Sen. Osten said. “The Norwich City Council has been working on this for some time, so I thank them and the governor for recognizing the opportunities that are available here to create local jobs and make something new and beautiful for our community to enjoy.”

“As the State Representative who lives directly in this district, a stone’s throw away from the mill, I’m sure this is an amazing and exciting time for all of the people from the Greenville area of Norwich,” Rep. Wilson said. This is a steppingstone in the right direction to rebuilding jobs and the community. I am excited to see Norwich continuing its revitalization efforts.”

“This forthcoming development marks a significant step for Norwich. The proposed remediation strategy encompasses the removal of current infrastructure and the creation of an area along the Shetucket River, further augmenting Norwich’s appeal for residents. This initiative has the potential to stimulate economic progression, address local employment needs, and furnish a much-needed recreational venue for our citizens,” said Rep. Ryan. “This investment represents a calculated step in the rejuvenation of Norwich, harnessing private capital and sustaining the city’s historic allure while attending to the modern needs of our residents.”

The grants announced today are being released through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program. These state investments are expected to leverage approximately $112.7 million in private investments, which is critical to bringing these 22 properties back into productive reuse.

The selected projects will boost economic development and job growth, as well as aid in the development of new housing. In total, the projects are expected to create approximately 1,285 jobs and 373 units of housing, including 148 affordable units. Approximately 58% of the overall funding is being awarded to projects in distressed municipalities.

“Nobody wants to have old, polluted, and blighted properties in their neighborhood that sit vacant for decades, especially when that land could be used to grow new businesses and create housing for people who need it,” Governor Lamont said. “This state program enables us to partner with municipalities and developers to bring these lifeless properties back from the dead.”

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