Richmond’s Shannock Mill toxic site gets clean up grant

DEM Announces New Round of Brownfields Grant Awards

Shannock once had several large, textile miles that left a legacy of
 toxic waste

Governor Gina M. Raimondo and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced the award of $3.26 million in matching grants under the Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development Fund. 

Thirteen projects across seven cities and towns will receive funding, made possible by the 2018 Green Economy Bond. 

Among the grants announced was $235,280 awarded to clean-up the old Shannon Mill site near the Charlestown line and the Pawcatuck River to prepare it for reuse.

Polluted industrial sites, known as brownfields, occupy many acres of desirable commercial and industrial space within the state's urban corridors. 

Remediation and reuse of these sites not only mitigate threats to public health and the environment from exposure to uncontrolled contamination, but also create and attract jobs, support small businesses, revitalize streets and neighborhoods, and increase the community tax base.

"Investing in the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields creates jobs, spurs economic growth, and promotes healthy communities," said Governor Raimondo. "These grant awards are particularly well-timed to help stimulate our economy, putting Rhode Islanders back to work on shovel-ready projects."

"The community cleanups and investments made possible by brownfields grants underscore the power of the green economy bonds that finance them," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "From protecting the environment to supporting economic development to strengthening our resiliency in the face of climate change to upgrading critical clean water infrastructure, green bonds improve the lives of every Rhode Islander. This is why Rhode Island voters have a long history of supporting environmental bonds."

Brownfield Grants Fast Facts

• DEM is awarding 13 brownfields grants for projects in Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, Richmond, Scituate, West Warwick, and Woonsocket.

• The grant awards total $3.26 million, which includes $2 million from the 2018 Green Economy Bond and the balance remaining from leftover monies unspent from previous rounds of grant awards.

• Of the 13 grants, five are for site preparation and eight are for redevelopment.

• In all, the 13 funded projects will create 1,845 construction jobs and 477 permanent jobs. Eight are in environmental justice areas. The projects will unlock $177 million in additional investments and promote smart growth by reclaiming and reusing valuable real estate.

Project description:

Shannock Mill Address: 225 Shannock Village Road, Richmond Grant: $235,280 redevelopment.

Description: Large site with several remedial needs. Funding would assist in writing a Remedial Action Work Plan Addendum and excavating contaminated soil and material as the site is redeveloped into a diverse mixed-use development that will provide riverfront access and greenway-related amenities.

The redevelopment will result in at least 20 construction jobs and the potential for over 200 permanent jobs.

Excluding the grant awardees announced today, $12 million from DEM's Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development Fund has capitalized 54 projects in 14 communities across Rhode Island. 

This money has leveraged more than $835 million in other investment and supported around 7,800 jobs, helping build new schools, businesses, affordable housing, and green energy projects throughout the state.