Factory H Brownfields Cleanup and Reuse

Factory H Brownfields Cleanup and Reuse gets a Green Light

Current Status: The Factory H site has received $400,000 is remediation funding from EPA in 2007.  EPA also granted the City $200,000 for more environmental assessment work needed on the site and for sites in the neighborhood.   In January 2008 USEPA Hazards Removal Division decided to remove hazardous asbestos from the structures on site.  Work was completed in mid-March and thanks to USEPA $1.3 million was spent on the removal of lead and asbestos from these structures.

The City and  Flood Control Implementation Agency wish to secure additional funds to demolish the structures on site. The City cannot reconstruct the Cooper Street Bridge and do necessary flood control work until the factory building is removed.  The USEPA action reduced the future cost of demolition from $5 to $3 million.  The legislature authorized State bonding for $ 3 million in flood control work in 2005.  Although the Governor has not yet put this item in the Bond Commission’s agenda, the 2007 and 2008 USEPA grants and removal action funding totaling $2.1 million has moved this project to a Green Light.  If additional funds are not found for project demolition by the end of 2008, this project will again be on hold and the status will change to  a Yellow Light.

Recent History: Recent activities included the Focus on Factory H Community Forum held on April 4, 2006 and the day-long Factory H Design charette held on Saturday, May 6, 2006.  Representatives from the City of Meriden, brownfield consultants, State of Connecticut, local residents and Yale Urban Design reviewed alternative uses for the site.

Background: The property was abandoned by the International Silver Company.  Harbor Brook runs through the property which links this project with all Flood Control efforts. 

Rev. 03/25/2008