House Republican Press Release

November 20, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Noujaim:  Funding for Mattatuck Arrives

HARTFORD- Representative Selim Noujaim today announced that development of the former Mattatuck Manufacturing site in the East End of Waterbury would be proceeding soon thanks to funding which has been awarded by Governor M. Jodi Rell.  The Governor approved the funds last Friday in the amount of $2.4 million for brownfield remediation.

The eight-acre parcel of land located at the corner of East Main Street and South Main Street in Waterbury was home to a 150,000 square foot industrial building which had long ago been abandoned and had become an eyesore to East End residents. Representative Noujaim worked successfully with the Governor and the Department of Economic and Community Development to obtain state funding and assistance in demolishing the building, and initiating the process of reclaiming the site for a suitable use.

The site, divided into an Eastern and Western portion by a sewer easement, was in need of remediation of industrial contamination.  To date, the Western portion has been remediated at a $2.11 million expense to the current landlord, while the Eastern portion has yet to be.  The current owner, Mattaco Inc., cannot afford the cost of completing the remediation.

“For more than seven years we have been working toward knocking down the building, decontaminating the property, and developing it to support the tax base of our city as well as the Waterbury community,” said Representative Noujaim. “All of us in the East End are grateful to Governor Rell’s leadership and vision which made this project a reality. Now we can move forth to build a community center, as well as commercial development as decided by the task force that studied the need of the neighborhood. The task force commissioned by the mayor was made up of community volunteers who held public hearings and sought opinions from the neighbors.”

“It is important for future generations that we clean up and reuse contaminated properties instead of developing pristine green space and farmland,” Governor Rell said.  “Is it absolutely crucial that we remediate these sites in cities like Waterbury.  Doing so moves us forward in the urban revitalization process and plants the seeds for new jobs.  This project is a prime example of our efforts to create new business growth opportunities in Waterbury and throughout Connecticut.  Rep. Selim Noujaim has been a strong voice for Waterbury on this issue, and I thank him for his advocacy.”

The Naugatuck Valley Development Corporation will take title of the land as an agent of the City of Waterbury, and will appropriate approximately $500,000 of state funds to remediate the site, remove foundation, and provide environmental insurance. 

The NVDC intends to utilize the property for the construction of a 14,000 sq. foot banquet hall, a 22,000 sq. foot funeral home, a neighborhood recreation center.