$200,000 in Funding Approved for Boathouse Park in Stonington
February 14, 2017
Stonington, CT – Stonington’s Mystic River Boathouse park is the newest recipient of the State’s of Connecticut’s Brownfield Grant Program administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development. At noon today DECD Deputy Director Tim Sullivan announced that the Governor had approved the Town’s request for $200,000 of Brownfield Assessment funds which Stonington had requested last November.
Stonington First Selectman Rob Simmons praised the administration for approving the request during difficult economic times and said “The Governor and DECD clearly saw our application as good for the environment, good for the economy and good for public access the water for recreation al purposes.”
Earlier this year Stonington acquired the park after voters overwhelmingly authorized the acquisition and conversion of the land to a boathouse park. “this is exciting news for the whole community, according to Selectman Mike Spellman, “this is a once-in-a-lifetime gift to the residents and future residents of our town.”
Funding from the state will be used to assess the environmental issues on the property and to develop a master plan for the waterfront park and boathouse facility. The town’s grant application also included a robust community support, with over a dozen community organizations and residents submitting written letters of support.
Selectwoman Kate Rotella, a Mystic resident, is also excited about the grant “This funding is important as it helps us chart a course for the park’s master plan and implementation. It also takes a long-underutilized waterfront property and makes it accessible to the public.” Scott Bates, Deputy Secretary of State, Stonington resident was a member of the group that worked to secure the acquisition of the project added “In an era of poisonous politics, this is a great example of bi-partisan teamwork getting positive results that will last for generations.”
This project will proceed once the town has completed the administrative requirements and selected a firm to assist with completing the scope of work. The project is estimated to take a year to complete. Several public workshops will be conducted during the project. To be include in future correspondence about the project, please send an email to dop@stonington-ct.gov.
Conceptual park design:
Stonington First Selectman Rob Simmons praised the administration for approving the request during difficult economic times and said “The Governor and DECD clearly saw our application as good for the environment, good for the economy and good for public access the water for recreation al purposes.”
Earlier this year Stonington acquired the park after voters overwhelmingly authorized the acquisition and conversion of the land to a boathouse park. “this is exciting news for the whole community, according to Selectman Mike Spellman, “this is a once-in-a-lifetime gift to the residents and future residents of our town.”
Funding from the state will be used to assess the environmental issues on the property and to develop a master plan for the waterfront park and boathouse facility. The town’s grant application also included a robust community support, with over a dozen community organizations and residents submitting written letters of support.
Selectwoman Kate Rotella, a Mystic resident, is also excited about the grant “This funding is important as it helps us chart a course for the park’s master plan and implementation. It also takes a long-underutilized waterfront property and makes it accessible to the public.” Scott Bates, Deputy Secretary of State, Stonington resident was a member of the group that worked to secure the acquisition of the project added “In an era of poisonous politics, this is a great example of bi-partisan teamwork getting positive results that will last for generations.”
This project will proceed once the town has completed the administrative requirements and selected a firm to assist with completing the scope of work. The project is estimated to take a year to complete. Several public workshops will be conducted during the project. To be include in future correspondence about the project, please send an email to dop@stonington-ct.gov.
Conceptual park design:
