Bridgeport Receives $3 Million State Grant For Redevelopment Of Blighted Property

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Bridgeport is receiving a $3 million state grant to help remediate the soil at the 16.86-acre site on Seaview Avenue that formerly held CarTech’s steel mill operations, Gov. Ned Lamont announced.

The money is part of $28.2 million in funding from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Brownfield Remediation and Development Program. Sixteen properties around the state are receiving grants through the program.

"By cleaning up blighted and vacant properties, we can put this land back into productive use in smart ways that support the growth of businesses and new jobs, and also to build new housing, which is significantly needed," Lamont said in a statement. "Through the remediation of these properties, we are creating new opportunities to revitalize neighborhoods and transform otherwise unusable lots into new spaces where businesses can thrive and residents can live."

According to officials, the privately-owned former CarTech site has widespread contamination.

"Remediation will prepare the site for redevelopment, enabling Bridgeport Boatworks to occupy a newly constructed facility and allowing Hornblower Marine to expand their operations within existing on-site buildings," officials said.

Added DECD Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe, "Our investments in these dormant, polluted sites are critical to helping communities capitalize on opportunities for reinvention. This round of funding has a significant impact in many areas, especially in supporting the creation of new housing, which is crucial to furthering the economic progress we’ve achieved in recent years."