Senator Herron Keyon Gaston welcomed the approval of a total of $8 million in state grants Friday to fund the remediation and redevelopment of two significant sites in Bridgeport, paving the way for future revitalization of the area including the development of a new soccer stadium.
The first $4 million grant will be used to fund demolition and remediation projects on the former 16-acre greyhound racetrack site at 255 Kossuth Street. This site is slated for development into a soccer stadium by Connecticut Sports Group, LLC, in a project that is eventually expected to include a hotel and community park.
A separate $4 million grant will help fund the completion of a remediation project on a nearly 3-acre site located at 141 and 173 Stratford Ave. This clean-up effort will clear the way for the development of public waterfront access, a boardwalk, and a community soccer field.
“These grants represent a tremendous opportunity to transform blighted areas into vibrant, functional spaces that will benefit the entire Bridgeport community,” Senator Gaston, D-Bridgeport, said. “The exciting development of a new soccer stadium will bring economic growth, job opportunities, and recreational spaces for our residents. I am thrilled to see the positive impact these initiatives will have and I extend my sincere thanks to Governor Lamont for his support in making this possible.”
The grants for Bridgeport were among dozens announced Friday by the governor. In total, the state aid amounted to $26.3 million, which will help fund remediation projects at 22 properties in 17 municipalities across Connecticut.
“Nobody wants to have old, polluted, and blighted properties in their neighborhood that sit vacant for decades, especially when that land could be used to grow new businesses and create housing for people who need it,” Governor Lamont said. “This state program enables us to partner with municipalities and developers to bring these lifeless properties back from the dead.”
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