NORWICH – A recent grant awarded to the City of Norwich will allow local officials to target brownfield sites located throughout the city and distinguish a viable use for them to become less of an economic and environmental strain for city residents.

The New York State Department of State’s Brownfield Opportunity Areas (BOA) program recently announced the City of Norwich as the recipient of a $90,000 grant to assist in completion of a revitalization plan to rejuvenate a 591-acre area. Brownfields are inactive properties where there was previous development but the presence or potential presence of contamination has impeded site redevelopment.

The BOA program helps set the stage for combined public and private investment in brownfield redevelopment. BOA grant funds often support activities that include: investigations of site contamination conditions; environmental impact assessments; economic and market studies to determine the best use of brownfields and vacant sites; redevelopment plans for strategic sites; marketing to attract developer interest; public forums and other opportunities for community participation; and other action to spur investment, clean-up, and redevelopment related to brownfield sites.

The City of Norwich revitalization plan identifies a total 33 brownfield areas throughout the city, including sites located in the downtown area as well as older residential areas. Identified brownfields lie primarily on the East side of state Highway 12 (Broad Street) and encompass dormant properties on Borden Avenue, Lee Avenue and Mitchell Street, to name a few.