The former Stratford Army Engine Plant, once home to major aircraft manufacturers including Sikorsky and Chance Vought Aircraft, is one step closer to a new future.

Local, state and federal leaders gathered there Thursday to celebrate major progress in the cleanup of the former industrial site, saying the work is moving significantly faster than originally expected and clearing the way for a large-scale waterfront redevelopment.

The property was purchased in 2024 by the Point Stratford Remediation Group, which has been leading environmental cleanup efforts on the historic site.

STRATFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A former U.S. Army engine plant in Stratford is one of the largest brownfield revitalization efforts currently underway in Connecticut, and Thursday marked a major milestone in the multi-million dollar project.

Thursday’s ceremony marked the completion of the $74 million remediation of the tidal flats along the Housatonic River in Stratford, through work with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

State, local and federal officials recognized progress on waterfront remediation project at long-vacant property.

Gov. Ned Lamont joined Stratford Mayor David Chess, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, and federal, state and local officials Thursday to mark the completion of a phase of cleanup work at the former Avco Lycoming site in Stratford.

There will be a ceremony in Stratford to celebrate a major milestone in the cleanup of a former U.S. Army engine plant. It is one of the largest waterfront brownfield revitalization efforts currently underway in Connecticut. Connecticut-based Point Stratford Renewal Team, which owns the property, says today’s event marks the completion of the $74 million remediation of the tidal flats along the Housatonic River.

We spoke with Peter Cabrera, a principal and Executive Vice President of Point Stratford Renewal and Stratford Mayor David Chess.

STRATFORD – U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Gov. Ned Lamont turned up to tout the completion of $74.6 million of dredging along the shoreline of the former Army Aircraft Engine plant, calling it the beginning of a new era for the historic property.

The removal or reuse of as much as 233,000 tons of PCB-contaminated sediment allows the state to begin the next phase of the project – a boardwalk or nature trail connecting the restored Housatonic River tidal flats at 550 Main St. to Short Beach and Stratford Point Lighthouse and the Birdseye Street Boat Launch area, officials said.

Meanwhile, property owner Point Stratford Renewal continues to raze the rest of the 77-acre former plant to make way for what developers envision as a hotel or apartment complex with commercial and retail businesses within the next five years.

Lamont said the project is expected provide needed housing and generate $10 million to $20 million in property taxes for the city.

On August 6, Point Stratford celebrated the completion of the $74 million Tidal Flats Remediation, a major milestone in one of Connecticut’s largest waterfront brownfield revitalization efforts. Governor Ned Lamont, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro, Stratford Mayor David Chess, and other federal, state, and local leaders joined the Point Stratford Renewal team to recognize the accelerated cleanup and the next chapter for this historic waterfront property.

The owners of key waterfront real estate once destined for industrial use are shifting gears, now pursuing a more ambitious mixed-use redevelopment vision for the site.