Kate Farrar

Senator Derek Slap (D – West Hartford, Farmington, Burlington, Bloomfield), State Representative Kate Farrar (D – West Hartford), West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, West Hartford Town Manager Matt Hart, and West Hartford Economic Development Coordinator Kristen Gorski applauded Governor Ned Lamont's announcement that the town will receive $953,646 to remediate a 2.97-acre site at 1051 and 1061 New Britain Avenue, the site of the former Puritan Furniture Store.

The funding will be used to clean-up the site for the proposed construction of a 131-unit mixed-income, mixed-use transit-oriented development.

“This is a critical investment not only for our environment but also for economic development. The transportation infrastructure and other housing projects sprouting up are helping to spur more density and economic activity – and this is another step in that direction. I believe this also helps in the effort to create a commuter rail stop in West Hartford. There's more work to do but make no mistake this is very good news for the town and region,” said Sen. Slap.

"Our community is focused on transit-oriented development and expanded housing to strengthen economic development and create vibrant neighborhoods to live, work and play. This investment in the 20th District will be critical in achieving that long-term goal," said Rep. Farrar. "Thank you to Governor Lamont and DECD for choosing to invest in West Hartford and its residents."

"I am grateful to the Governor, DECD and our state delegation for their support to invest in the remediation of this important parcel in our town’s transit corridor. This property redevelopment will add to the area’s vibrancy, promote reinvestment and benefit our community and the region," said Mayor Cantor.

“I would like to thank Sami Abunasra for his investment in our community. We are excited to help bring his Elmwood Lofts project to fruition and appreciate the support from the Governor and DECD. This project will serve to enhance this important transit corridor and add to Elmwood and West Hartford’s vitality," said Hart.

“We are appreciative of the state’s efforts to continuously support brownfield remediation in Connecticut, and proud to be awarded funds to support the cleanup of this key site. The environmental remediation of contaminants on this property will support the health of the community, and assist with the redevelopment of an otherwise challenging site adjacent to a vibrant neighborhood of residents and businesses,” said Gorski.

West Hartford is among 13 municipalities that will receive $17.9 million in combined state funding through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development's Brownfield Remediation Program. This is the first time West Hartford has received this type of grant. These grants are anticipated to help in the investigation and clean-up of about 78 acres of land in total.