New Round of Brownfields Grant Awards
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projects across five cities and towns will receive funding, made possible by
the voter-approved 2022
Green Bond and
from leftover monies unspent from previous grant rounds.
The
10 funded projects, eight of which are in Environmental
Justice (EJ)
focus areas, are expected to create 2,446 construction jobs and 475 permanent
jobs. The projects will unlock $522 million in additional investments and
promote smart growth by reclaiming and reusing valuable real estate.
Brownfields
occupy many acres of desirable commercial and industrial space within the
state’s urban corridors. Remediation and redevelopment of these sites not only
mitigates the threat to public health and the environment from exposure to
uncontrolled contamination, but also can create and attract jobs, help small
businesses, increase the community tax base, and revitalize streets and
neighborhoods.
“The
community cleanups and investments made possible by brownfields grants
underscore the power of the green bonds that finance them,” said DEM Director
Terry Gray.
“Green
bonds help restore our environment, support economic development, and
strengthen Rhode Island’s resiliency in the face of climate change. DEM is
grateful that Governor McKee has proposed $5 million in additional funding for
the Brownfields grant program in the 2024 Green Bond for the ballot in
November. If approved, this investment will help continue the success
we’ve achieved with our partners by investing in the cleanup of sites across
the state, which has helped build new schools, businesses, affordable housing,
and green energy projects.”
Project: Shannock
Village / Clark Mill
Address: 225
Shannock Village Road, Richmond
Grant:
$350,000 remediation/redevelopment
Description: Funding to continue the ongoing remediation and rehabilitation of an old mill complex located next to the Pawcatuck River. Reuse plans include providing public access for fishing, kayaking, and enjoying a nature trail. This phase of the remedial work will be focused on remediating oil contamination around Building #12, riverbank restorations, and addressing impacted soil. This project supports an estimated 200 construction jobs and will bring 35 permanent jobs.
Project Summaries
Project:
138 Friendship LLC – Vacant Land
Address:
101 Richmond Street / 138 Friendship Street, Providence
Grant:
$30,000 remediation/redevelopment
Description:
Funds to be used to design and install a sub-slab depressurization system for a vacant
historic masonry building/former nightclub in the jewelry district of
Providence. In addition, funds will also be used to finish soil encapsulation
and groundwater monitoring. Located in an EJ focus area, the vacant building
will support two commercial tenants and 19 residential units.
Project:
Crossroads RI – Summer Street
Address:
94 Summer Street, Providence
Grant:
$350,000 remediation/redevelopment
Description:
Vacant 1.15-acre lot on Summer Street in an EJ focus area impacted by over a
century of various manufacturing operations such as telegraph wire, gas tube,
and jewelry production. This grant will help Crossroads Rhode Island, a local
non-profit, to provide 176 new one-bedroom apartments to homeless and extremely
low-income adults.
Project:
Former Urban League of RI
Address:
246 Prairie Avenue, Providence
Grant:
$275,000 remediation/redevelopment
Description: Blighted,
derelict building in an EJ focus area, set to be demolished and redeveloped as
a hub for community organizations focused on advocacy, recreation, and social
services. Funding will support the abatement and disposal of hazardous building
materials necessary to prepare the building for demolition and the site for
redevelopment. Remaining funds will go toward soil remediation.
Project:
Former Woonsocket Middle School
Address:
375 Park Place, Woonsocket
Grant:
$275,000 remediation/redevelopment
Description: Vacant,
blighted former school building in an EJ focus area to be remediated and
redeveloped into a mixed-use complex to include 146 residential units,
commercial spaces, and a community recreation center that will be accessible to
both to residents and members of the public, with free admission opportunities
for Woonsocket High School students, teachers, and the local police and fire
departments. Funding
to be used for are for the abatement
of asbestos, lead based paint, and PCB containing materials.
Project:
Future Finishing
Address:
178 George Waterman Road, Johnston
Grant:
$150,000 site assessment
Description:
Funding will be used to further assess on-site groundwater, sub-slab soil gas,
and indoor air necessary to develop a remedial plan to support redevelopment.
In addition, potential off-site impacts to groundwater will be investigated to
determine if off-site remediation is required. Once remedial plans are
approved, proposed redevelopment plans include a mixed use of business offices
and residential units.
Project: Oak
Street Mill #2
Address:
239 Oak Street, Providence
Grant:
$320,000 remediation/redevelopment
Description:
Blighted, historical mill with sub-surface soil impacts, located in an EJ focus
area, to be remediated and redeveloped to support industrial arts production,
retail operations, maker space, event space, and three residential units. The
top floor is under consideration for use as an emergency temporary shelter for
local youth. House of the Rising Star, LLC has partnered with several work
development & job training programs and will use this space provide more of
those opportunities.
Project:
Pawtucket – Town Landing
Address:
0 Taft Street, Pawtucket
Grant:
$250,000 remediation/redevelopment
Description:
Funding will be used to support remediation work including soil excavation,
remediation, capping, and environmental monitoring as the parcel is improved
with a new riverfront revetment, public waterfront riverwalk, amphitheater, and
park space along Town Landing, and bridge abutments that will serve as part of
the foundation for a new pedestrian bridge over the Seekonk River.
Project: Pawtucket – Tidewater Landing
Address: 45
Division Street, Pawtucket
Grant:
$250,000 remediation/redevelopment
Description:
Funding at the Division Street parcels will go toward remediation needs that
include excavating lead-impacted soils, constructing engineered caps utilizing
permeant foundations, and the installation of hardscape and earthen caps. The
remedial work will support the redevelopment of the parcels into amenities that
include an event center, mixed commercial and residential development along
School Street, and riverfront improvements along the east side of the Seekonk
River.
Project: Rise
Above All Properties
Address:
258 Pine Street, Pawtucket
Grant:
$275,000 remediation/redevelopment
Description: Vacant
property with blighted former mill building, located in an EJ focus area, that
burned down while vacant. Funding will support remedial work to include soil
excavation and disposal, soil encapsulation, and vapor intrusion mitigation.
The planned redevelopment will result in 7,000 sf of commercial space, 180
units of multi-family housing, 30% of which will be deed-restricted as
affordable apartments.
Including
the grant awardees announced today, $16.5 million from DEM’s
Brownfields Remediation and Economic Development Fund has
capitalized 71 projects in 18 communities across Rhode Island.
Half
of State funding has developed projects in EJ areas. This
money has leveraged more than $1.39 billion in other investments, supported
almost 13,000 jobs, helping build new schools, businesses, affordable housing,
recreational space, and green energy projects on
formerly vacant properties in communities throughout Rhode Island.
According
to the US Environmental Protection Agency, an
estimated 7.3 jobs are supported per $100,000 spent on brownfield redevelopment.
Since the inception of the Rhode Island’s Brownfield Bond Fund, the program has
more than doubled that productivity at approximately 15.5 permanent jobs
created for every $100,000 of state bond funds granted.
For
more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov.
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