Stratford Army Engine Plant Transfer Announced By U.S. Army

Press release from the Office of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick joined the U.S. Army to announce the transfer of the Stratford Army Engine Plant and the continued remediation of the Tidal Flats in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

“I have been working on this cleanup project for 30 years, and I am pleased that after a decade of rigorous environmental studies and due diligence, the former Stratford Army Engine Plant property has been formally conveyed by the Army to, Point Stratford, a joint venture for cleanup and eventual redevelopment,” DeLauro said. “I am glad to finally see this work off to a strong start, and that the contract for the uplands parcel has already been executed. By remediating and fixing the mistakes of the past, we create a better future for Stratford.”

Mayor Laura R. Hoydick expressed her gratitude to the Army, the Army Corps of Engineers, Point Stratford Renewal, and Congresswoman DeLauro.

“The Stratford Army Engine Plant has played an integral part of our town's and state's history, and I'm appreciative of the collaboration, open communication, and amount of work that went into making this next step finally happen,” Hoydick said. “The property holds very personal, deep meaning and connections to so many in our community, including myself and our family. So, as we look forward for what is to come once the environmental remediation is complete, I am reassured that Point Stratford Renewal will develop a viable, economic property that honors our past and enhances our town's bright future.”

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations Energy and Environment Rachel Jacobson said, “I am proud to announce the Army has transferred the Army Stratford Engine Plant to Point Stratford Renewal for redevelopment. For nearly 30 years, the plant has been deteriorating and has become a blight on the landscape for the people of Stratford Connecticut. With this transfer, the property can finally be transformed for beneficial use.

“The Army is grateful for the leadership from Congresswoman DeLauro, the many community members, and Point Stratford Renewal, which has made this day possible. Although we have transferred ownership of the property, the Army remains committed to finishing the cleanup of the 78-acre site through our Environmental Services Cooperative Agreements with Point Stratford Renewal. Today marks a huge win-win for the Army and the people of Connecticut.”

Both the uplands area and the offshore tidelands area near the plant are being contracted for clean-up through an Environmental Services Cooperative Agreement. In the uplands area, work will be focused on cleaning up PCBs that were mixed into paint, which was applied to concrete floors and walls. In the offshore tidelands area, material will need to be dredged, of which some will be deposited to help cap the cleanup occurring on that parcel. This will help raise the site by the required 8 feet and save nearly $20-$30 million in costs for the Army.

This press release was produced by the Office of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro. The views expressed here are the author’s own.