Leaders celebrate $74M environmental cleanup at former U.S. Army site in Stratford
Originally published by News 8 WTNH. Reporting by Ellie Sennhenn
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).
Known by some as the Avco-Lycoming site, the former energy plant has been involved in environmental cleanup efforts since 1983, according to the Army. The site was operated for decades by military contractors for the manufacture of amphibious planes, World War II fighter planes, helicopters and tank engines.
During its operation from the early 1950s to mid 1990s, the plant built gas turbine engines, seaplanes, helicopters, compressor sets and railroad engines. Factories and manufacturers that make engines, pumps and belts are hotspots for volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Cleanup crews worked to remove VOCs and metal that was in nearby groundwater and soil, according to the Army’s site history.
The EPA regulates VOC emissions from factories and industrial plants under the Clean Air Act because some compounds can be cariogenic, according to the EPA.
After Stratford Army Engine Plant operations moved to Arizona in 1995, the Army started work to develop and sell the site, according to the Army. The Army attempted to auction off the property for about $9.6 million in 2008, but the winning bidder never paid.
In its latest redevelopment move, Point Stratford Renewal LLC acquired the property in 2024 after being selected by the U.S. Army to remediate and redevelop the vacant site, according to the site history. The Army worked with DEEP to clean up the tidal flats near the former plant.
“Locally, the remediation allows residents to the Town of Stratford to enjoy these 4,100 linear feet of waterfront that have been inaccessible for 98 years,” Jim Cabrera with Point of Stratford Renewal said. “It unlocks a greater opportunity for new mixed-use development, new jobs, tax revenue [and] growth.”
Leaders at Thursday’s ceremony included Gov. Ned Lamont, Stratford Mayor David Chess, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, DEEP Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino, and representatives of the Army and EPA.
