Developing Derelict Waterfronts
I suppose it's no surprise that heavy industry is dirty -- that the economic gains you reap are offset somewhat by the environmental mess left behind. Here's what Bridgeport has to deal with in its effort to redevelop a waterfront area called Steel Point. From the Connecticut Post:
The state-funded report confirms the peninsula has a range of pollutants left behind after decades of manufacturing and power production - petroleum, heating fuel, corroded underground tanks, PCBs, hydrocarbons, copper, lead, mercury, arsenic and chromium....
... In some areas, the acreage was significantly enlarged by dumping fill along the shoreline and into Bridgeport Harbor, a practice that would not be tolerated today. The fill consists of coal ash, garbage, dredged material, glass, concrete, slag, tar, oily rags, ceramic, rocks and even pipes, according to the state's report.
In some places, the fill is 21 feet deep.
In spite of that, the city has a plan and a developer for revive the area, which covers 52 acres. Some of the development will be residential, and the Post reports that top floor condos, with views of Long Island Sound, will sell for $500,000, which gives you an idea of how difficult it might be to convince people to live in Bridgeport.
And speaking of grandiose visions for derelict waterfront areas, this report (via the Providence Journal) from Rhode Island is an eye-opener. The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission has big ideas for 350 acres owned by the Navy, and all the pols -- Governor Carcieri, Senator Chafee, Representative Kennedy -- are on board. No indication though what the towns or residents of the area think.
The state-funded report confirms the peninsula has a range of pollutants left behind after decades of manufacturing and power production - petroleum, heating fuel, corroded underground tanks, PCBs, hydrocarbons, copper, lead, mercury, arsenic and chromium....
... In some areas, the acreage was significantly enlarged by dumping fill along the shoreline and into Bridgeport Harbor, a practice that would not be tolerated today. The fill consists of coal ash, garbage, dredged material, glass, concrete, slag, tar, oily rags, ceramic, rocks and even pipes, according to the state's report.
In some places, the fill is 21 feet deep.
In spite of that, the city has a plan and a developer for revive the area, which covers 52 acres. Some of the development will be residential, and the Post reports that top floor condos, with views of Long Island Sound, will sell for $500,000, which gives you an idea of how difficult it might be to convince people to live in Bridgeport.
And speaking of grandiose visions for derelict waterfront areas, this report (via the Providence Journal) from Rhode Island is an eye-opener. The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission has big ideas for 350 acres owned by the Navy, and all the pols -- Governor Carcieri, Senator Chafee, Representative Kennedy -- are on board. No indication though what the towns or residents of the area think.
posted by Tom Andersen at 7:22 AM
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