Historic 1899 Stonington Mill Secures $4 Million Grant

Press release from the Town of Stonington:

STONINGTON, CT — The CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) provides competitive grant funding to help Connecticut towns and cities in their efforts to remediate and redevelop vacant and blighted brownfield properties across the state. Stonington was again selected to receive an award. The grant is for $4 million - the largest grant the town has received - to rehabilitate the 1899 Threadmill. The funding marks a significant milestone in the town’s efforts to revitalize the historic site that sits close to the Pawcatuck River.

Thanks are due to many for obtaining this significant grant, but in particular the Town's Grant Manager, Finance Director and Selectwoman Downie.

The property, a 5.5-acre brownfield site, has been a focal point of Stonington’s community redevelopment goals for years. In late 2022, a partial roof collapse brought Town officials and First Responders together to ensure the safety of the area. At the same time, the building’s ownership structure changed and the First Selectman began working with the new owners to bring forward a plan for revitalizing the mill. In partnership with the Planning Department, and with key input from Selectwoman Deb Downie, who volunteered her experience as a Licensed Environmental Professional, key steps were outlined with the goal of saving the historic 1899 mill and creating new housing opportunities.

In partnership with the town, the Haverhill, Massachusetts-based development firm aims to invest about $35 million into what is being called the 'Mill at the Marina' project. As residents likely know, the other half of the site was converted into The Threadmill Apartments in 2016.

The initial Master Plan for the 'Mill at the Marina' was approved by the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission in 2023. The plans includes just over 50 apartments—about 11 of which will be tailored to those earning up to 80% of the area’s median income. Amenities will include a pool, outdoor kitchens, communal lounges, roof deck, and more. Efforts to preserve the site’s historical character include maintaining key architectural features and installing custom-designed windows.

Remediation is slated to begin in spring of 2024 and will take about a year to complete. Construction is expected to follow, with occupancy projected by late 2027.

This second infusion of funding is a testament to what can be achieved through hard work, determination and collaboration. This major funding infusion will allow the Town and the private developer to work together to make progress toward addressing the significant obstacles in bringing this historic site back to life.

This press release was produced by the Town of Stonington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.