Stratford economic development director details Army Engine site, Title Flats, fuel‑cell work and new businesses in budget workshop

Mary Dean, Economic Development Director for the Town of Stratford, told the ordinance committee on March 25 that her office is not seeking an increase in next year’s economic development operating budget and reviewed a string of ongoing redevelopment projects and grants.

The largest projects Dean described were the Army Engine site and the Title Flats development. "The title flat project should be completed by mid 20 26 without them having to work, on a 24 7, which we thought initially they would," Dean said, adding the contractor has begun setup and a public meeting is scheduled. Dean said the Sniffens portion of the Army Engine upland is expected to be the first ready for development and “probably could handle about a 400,000 square foot building.”

Dean described ongoing brownfield remediation work and grant funding. She said the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has provided $4,000,000 toward cleanup of one property and the town has also sought EPA funding and other sources. "Contract plating alone actually over 4,000,000 because DECD gave us 4,000,000," Dean said. She added the office is coordinating a potential phase 3 to fully clean the property and determine additional funding needs beyond the DECD amount.

Dean reviewed other projects the office is advancing: a 99‑unit apartment project called the Villages, the planned reuse of the former Center School (she said a contract is being finalized and the project could return in 2025), extension of the Greenway (engineering by WSP), the Raymark cleanup, and Parkway Plaza near Riders Landing where a second phase could include a boutique hotel and later mixed use development with apartments and restaurants.

On private investment and new businesses, Dean said an adult‑use cannabis manufacturer has renovated 305 Hathaway to meet FEMA standards, plans to open in mid‑July and expects to hire about 100 employees. She also said the town receives 3% of sales from adult‑use retailers. Dean noted several retail openings and infrastructure projects such as the Stratford Avenue/Honeypot Road roundabout (appraisals pending) and said the office is working with property owners and brokers to identify industrial and mixed‑use end uses for underutilized sites.

Committee members asked how the town is using grand list and tax base data to guide economic development; Dean said the office focuses on larger commercial properties and encourages industrial or mixed‑use redevelopment where appropriate. She said the town owns limited developable land and that staff proactively work with private owners to guide reuse. She also listed examples of past DECD funding for projects such as Mercer Towers and the former Wade’s Garage site and offered to provide a total of historical remediation grants to committee members on request.

Why it matters: the projects Dean described drive the town’s redevelopment strategy and—if remediation and private investment proceed—could add housing, commercial space and jobs. Several projects depend on additional cleanup funding, developer schedules, or property transactions that Dean said are in progress.

What’s next: Dean said staff will circulate the grand list and other requested financial materials, and that a public meeting on the Title Flats project is scheduled. She also asked to be contacted for follow‑up numbers on grant totals and specific budget items.