Committee backs sending $1 million DECD remediation grant for Albany Woodland to council
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Summary
The committee voted to forward a mayoral resolution authorizing acceptance of a $1,000,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development for soil testing and contaminated‑soil disposal at the Albany Woodland project and heard a timeline for testing and remediation work.
The Planning, Economic Development and Housing Committee voted to send to full council a resolution to accept $1,000,000 in remediation funding from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to cover additional geotechnical testing and disposal of contaminated soil at the Albany Woodland project.
William Diaz, assistant economic development director, said geotechnical investigations completed after property closing showed poor soil conditions that required further remediation and contaminated‑soil disposal, which increased project costs. "We went in to DECD to request $1,000,000 dollars, which we were awarded," Diaz said, explaining the award should cover additional testing and disposal if on‑site soils are similar to previously tested material.
Committee members asked whether Brownfields funding would also help a private owner who purchased a separate parcel at 3400 Main Street (a proposed Dunn's River restaurant). Diaz said the Albany Woodland funds are tied to city‑owned parcels with public use and that Brownfields eligibility for private projects can be complex; he said staff is researching other avenues to assist private developers.
Officials also outlined an expected schedule: department staff anticipate starting additional soils testing around May (about 90 days out), receiving results in one to two months and beginning soil hauling roughly four months after testing begins, depending on execution and the assistance agreement. Director Auker added that DECD grants are typically reimbursable, meaning the city will front costs and submit expenditures for reimbursement by the state.
Councilman John Gale moved to forward the resolution to the full council with a favorable recommendation; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with no opposition or abstentions recorded. Staff said the committee will receive a report on exact LOIs and dates at the next meeting.
The committee action forwards the city’s acceptance of the remediation funding to the council; final access to funds requires an executed assistance agreement with DECD and subsequent administrative steps to obligate and reimburse expenditures.
