The New Haven Board of Alders moved to approve a $995,000 remediation grant to partner with Riverfront Development LLC for cleanup of contaminated fill at 185–213 Front Street, a waterfront parcel slated for a mixed‑use development that presenters said would include roughly 120 residential units and ground‑floor retail.

Presenters told the committee the remediation funds would pay for excavation and disposal of petroleum‑impacted soils and other debris, followed by capping where appropriate. Helen Rosenberg, development officer in the Office of Development, said the proposal calls for about 120 residential units, “of which 20% will be affordable for up to 80% AMI,” plus approximately 15,000 square feet of commercial space and public open space along the Quinnipiac River.

The project team described a multi‑step cleanup: building surveys, selective demolition, targeted soil testing at former building footprints, excavation of soils that cannot legally be left in place, off‑site disposal, and capping of remaining areas beneath pavement or structures. Presenters said the site will also require a seawall or bulkhead to protect capped soils from erosion and to support a planned boardwalk and waterfront access; they reported that a permit for a seawall, pedestrian walkway and transient marina has been issued by state permitting authorities.

Public commenters at the meeting expressed a mix of support and concerns. Don Harvey, a nearby resident, said immediate neighbors had not yet seen detailed plans and urged better outreach. Natalie Bonafay, who identified herself as a biologist and resident, pressed for clear remediation compliance terms, monitoring to protect the river and oyster beds, and transparency about remaining costs beyond the requested grant. David Hunter, who described himself as president and CEO of a Fairhaven organization, and environmental activist Chris Ozick both spoke in support of cleanup and waterfront activation, saying the project could restore public access and tax revenue if environmental controls are followed.

Committee members emphasized the limited scope of the evening’s item: the application for remediation grant funds. After closing the public comment period, an alder made a motion to move both remediation grant items on the agenda forward together; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with the chair announcing the ayes had it.

The presenters told the committee they will provide a traffic study and additional community‑involvement materials to the legislative office for committee review. The project team also pledged to hold a public meeting on June 30 to present more detailed plans to neighbors.

Because the grant covers environmental remediation only, subsequent land‑use, zoning and design approvals will follow separate city review processes. Committee members and several public speakers said those later steps will provide additional opportunities for the public to comment and for staff to require technical safeguards before construction begins.