$4 Million Grant Awarded For Remediation Of Blighted Windsor Locks Commons Site

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — A $4 million grant has been earmarked for the town through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Brownfield Remediation and Development Program, according to Gov. Ned Lamont.

The grant will be used for abatement, demolition, and remediation activities at 255 Main Street, adjacent to the proposed location of a new train station. The commercial strip known as Windsor Locks Commons, built in 1987 on 3.2 acres of land, was formerly thriving with tenants such as Pizza Parlor and J.J.'s News & Variety, but the property had become blighted in recent years as businesses closed or moved elsewhere.

Boston-based Trinity Acquisitions LLC bought the property in March 2024 for $1,462,500, according to town land records. That same month, a partial demolition permit was granted.

The cleanup activities will enable the construction of the first phase of a mixed use, transit-oriented development. Plans for revitalizing the property include a pair of 4-story buildings with a combined 130 apartments, 14 retail spaces and 132 parking spots.

Lamont announced Thursday he is releasing $18.8 million in state grants that will be used for the assessment and remediation of 227 acres of contaminated land across Connecticut. The funding will support 23 properties in 19 towns and cities, helping cover the costs of cleaning up these parcels so they can be redeveloped and returned to productive use.

"Old, polluted, blighted properties that have sat vacant for decades do nothing to stimulate our economy, grow jobs, and support housing growth," the governor said in a written statement. "With these grants, we are partnering with towns and developers to take unused, lifeless properties and bring them back from the dead, rejuvenating land that can be used for so much more and can bring value back to these neighborhoods."

DECD Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe said, "Our brownfield redevelopment efforts continue to produce great results, not only for the communities that can now capitalize on new opportunities for growth and vibrancy but also for the residents who directly benefit from the new end uses for these reclaimed properties, whether it be housing, parks, commercial space, or community centers."

State Rep. Tami Zawistowski said, "As a strong supporter of this transformative infrastructure project, I appreciate the governor continuing to make major state investments that will benefit our community well into the future."