Business View Magazine - October 2018

204 205 environmental contamination. Because most of the City’s buildings were built prior to the 1940s,mate- rials used in the construction of these buildings are now considered hazardous materials and present special remediation and disposal problems.The City Brownfields program has been active in securing EPA and CTDECD Brownfields funding to assess and remediate brownfield sites since 2000.The importance of brownfield reuse and the recognition of the full range of economic benefits to the munic- ipality, and to the region, have been identified as an important strategy in recently approved planning reports.The 2017New London Plan of Conservation & Development (POCD) recognizes brownfields remediation as a priority for New London’s econom- ic growth,which will help create new and diverse employment opportunities, increase the city’s tax base, and improve the quality of life throughout the city.To this end, an objective of the POCD’s Strategic Plan stresses the importance of continuing ‘concert- ed efforts to clean up contaminated brownfield sites prioritizing those adjacent to inland and coastal wa- ter resources.’Additionally, the 2017Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Southeastern Connecticut (CEDS) prepared by the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer) identifies ‘the redevelopment of existing infrastructure and resources, including, but not limited to brownfields and historic places’ as a significant standard and criteria to support and encourage the Principles of Smart Growth as defined by CT Public Act 09-230. “The city is partnering with Groundworks USA for technical assistance in developing a network with deep local roots to work hand-in-hand with local residents to transform a vacant and contaminated property into a park and green space.This project will advance equity and inclusion and will work to counter disinvestment and create relevant com- NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT munity-driven change.The goal is to grow the next generation of environmental leaders by helping young people effect change in the environment and their community.” “The City’s continued success in brownfields as- sessment and remediation, coupled with city pro- grams and community partners collaborating will ensure ongoing efforts in accomplishing our goals of increasing economic development opportunities and creating more sustainable communities. Proj- ect clean-up planning will be geared toward future uses as outlined in City and Regional planning doc- uments and the community outreach process.” BVM: How does the City work to attract new busi- nesses? Tetteh: “One of the projects that we’re looking at is called the Thames River Innovation Place (TRIP). The purpose of TRIP is to build prosperity in the Thames River region through authentic innova- tion, collaboration, and diverse partnerships.TRIP is an unprecedented alliance of public, private, and non-profit sectors in the communities of New Lon- don and Groton in Southeastern Connecticut.Major institutions are collaborating to design a blueprint for the future of our communities that integrates existing plans and projects with new ideas that leverage and enhance all that is unique about this place at the mouth of the Thames River. “Currently, there is a task force between the city of New London, the City of Groton, the Town of Groton, and some businesses within the commu- nities to push the agenda.We have an RFP out for a place-making master plan for Hodges Square, which connects a bridge to Groton,which is on the other side of the river, to strengthen the sense of place within those two districts through economic development and creating a space that is true to