Update on SHW/Farrel Site Redevelopment

November 1, 2022


 
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Friends and Neighbors,

Recently I've received several inquiries about the SHW/Farrel Foundry site redevelopment on the corner of Main and North Main Street in Ansonia. I wanted to provide you with an update on this project, which has received significant state funding for environmental clean-up, demolition, and transit-oriented development. 

The project is very active. Officials from the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) meet with the City of Ansonia on a monthly basis to receive an update on the site's progress and help identify the next steps. There are a lot of moving parts. Below is a brief summary provided to me by DECD, which I hope will provide an understanding of why it appears that not much is happening from outside the site (there is a great deal happening with the site and behind the scenes).
  • The Request for Proposals (RFP) for additional abatement & demolition work was released and a contract was awarded to Stamford Wrecking Company in June 2022
  • Abatement of buildings 11 & 11A was completed in August 2022. United Illuminating (UI) needs to reinforce the pole before the lines to the building can be disconnected. 
    • Regarding UI— the City was recently told that the issue would be addressed within the coming weeks. It appears that UI was unable to determine whether the overhead lines were the only source of power to the building. They will need to excavate and inspect possible underground lines. This is critical for safety reasons. 
  • Buildings 11 & 11A also need to be approved by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for demolition.
    • SHPO requested additional information regarding buildings 8 & 10 and will approve the demolition of these structures after reviewing this paperwork. As of the update from DECD, city officials are in the process of preparing a response to SHPO including 3rd party building inspections. The City has concerns that the ancillary buildings (8 & 10) are not self-supporting. Demolition of buildings 11 & 11A will not proceed until SHPO's response is received; otherwise, alternative support methods (additional bracing) may be required for ancillary buildings. As stated above, the evaluations are in progress.
      1. Demolition will be conducted once power is disconnected, reports from the city, and SHPO concerns are resolved and approval is obtained.   
  • Abatement of building 12 has been completed. Development plans call for the preservation of building 12. It is the City’s intention to identify a developer to redevelop and occupy Building 12. The city issued a request for proposals (RFP) in July 2022 seeking someone to lease the space specifically for manufacturing/commercial/warehouse use. The City received only 2 responses to the RFP; however, City officials felt that the responses were not consistent with their intentions for the building. Efforts to identify a developer in line with City officials' current plan for Building 12 are ongoing.
Helpful information about the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
This office is housed within DECD and administers a range of federal and state funding and regulatory programs pertaining to historic and cultural preservation. Because the project is receiving state funding, SHPO must review and approve demolition activities before the work can start. The Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development (OBRD) relies on the City's engineer and SHPO to work out aspects that are under SHPO's purview. OBRD ensures SHPO is informed of the project and the client conforms to the regulatory requirements and obtains any required approvals from SHPO. 

Since taking office, I have worked diligently to secure funds for the redevelopment of the downtown Ansonia SHW/Farrel/Ansonia Brass site and downtown development. Significant state and federal dollars have been secured in the past two years. This includes:

  • $500,000 in state funds in 2020 for the environmental clean-up and demolition of the SHW/Farrel Foundry site
  • $1,000,000 in state funds in 2021 for the environmental clean-up of the SHW/Farrel site
  • $2,000,000 in state funds in 2021 for the strategic future redevelopment of the 175,000-square-foot Ansonia Copper and Brass extrusion mill
  • $200,000 in state funds in 2022 for an anticipated additional assessment and planning related to the SHW/Farrel building's demolishment
  • $2,900,000 that U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro secured in July 2022 to aid the demolition of the SHW/Farrel site
  • $1,200,000 in state funds to increase service on the Waterbury Rail Line
  • $6,500,000 in state funds for the restoration of an access bridge at the Ansonia Copper & Brass industrial complex
  • $540,000 in state funds to restore or remove two pedestrian bridges located at the former Ansonia Copper & Brass industrial complex and SHW/Farrel site

Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.

All my Best,

Kara Rochelle
State Representative
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