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Ljnd & Community Revitaliz^tlon
BROWNFIELDS SUCCESS IN NEW ENGLAND
THE AMERICAN MURAL PROJECT
WINSTED, CONNECTICUT
Property Details
Property Address:	100 Whiting Street, Winsted, CT
Property Size:	2.2 acres
Former Uses: Storage warehouses for Winsted Hosiery Company,
appliance shop and manufacturer, woodworking shop,
motorcycle repair shop
Contaminants Found:	Petroleum, lead, arsenic
Current Use:	Ready for renovation
Current Owner:	The American Mural Project Foundation
Project Partners
ALCOA Foundation, Community Foundation in Northwest Connecticut,
Newman's Own, Northwest Community Bank, TRC Companies, Town
of Winchester and City of Winsted Brownfields Program
Funding Details
EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant:	$25,000
EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant:	$200,000
Project Highlights
•	More than 700 tons of contaminated soil were removed from
the property
•	The American Mural Project Foundation is collaborating with
children and professionals across the nation to create the American
Mural Project
•	Completed redevelopment of the property will include a structure
to house the American Mural Project mural, a visitor's center and
surrounding gardens
Drivers for Redevelopment: The once-lively New England town
of Winsted, Connecticut, formerly a booming manufacturing mill
town, is now filled with vacant factories and empty streets. Because
of its need for rejuvenation and redevelopment, the American Mural
Project a Connecticut-based nonprofit, chose to install the American
Mural Project on the former brownfield site. The 100 Whiting Street
property is planned to house the large mural along with a learning
complex dedicated to America's heritage as a working nation. They
hope this property will become a tourist destination, attracting people
to Winsted and improving the local economy.
Across the 50 states, the American Mural artist, Ellen Griesedieck
has worked with educators, scientists, workers and children from all
walks of life to collect and create pieces of the mural. The different
materials will be used in the mural to depict scenes representing
American culture.
Property History: Settled in 1750, the City of Winsted was one of
the first mill towns in Connecticut. Beginning in 1881, the Winsted
Hosiery Company occupied two industrial buildings and one stone
building on Whiting Street. After the hosiery company left an
appliance shop and manufacturer, a woodworking business, and
motorcycle repair shop occupied the building on 100 Whiting Street.
The property underwent Phase I Assessments in 2003 and 2005, and a
Phase II Assessment in 2005, which revealed soil contamination from
petroleum products, lead, and arsenic. The American Mural Project
Foundation bought the property in January 2006 with the hopes that it
would serve as the site to house a five-stoiy mural.
Project Results: The Town of Winchester and the City of Winsted
actively pursued brownfields projects, including the American Mural
Project at 100 Whiting Street. After purchasing the property in 2006,
the American Mural Project received a $200,000 EPA Brownfields
Cleanup grant for the property. A cleanup contractor began to
remediate the site in July 2008, removing more than 700 tons of soil
contaminated mainly with petroleum and lead, as well as traces of
arsenic and other metals. The cleanup was completed two months later
in September 2008; however, ground water monitoring will continue
for another three years.
The American Mural Project Foundation is developing plans to
renovate the existing structure to house the five-story mural by raising
the roof 30 feet. According to artist Ellen Griesedieck, "[After raising
the roof] the inside of the building will be bigger than the Parthenon."
The redevelopment will be completed in three phases. Phase one
includes renovating the existing structure and raising the roof, which
is estimated to cost $1.2 million. The second phase includes building
a visitor's center for outreach and public education. The final phase
features development of gardens aroimd the buildings to serve as a
venue for local concerts and activities for visitors and community
members. Currently, the foundation is seeking design bids to complete
phase one.
Project Timeline
June 2003
June 2005
November 2005
January 2006
July 2008
September 2008
Spring 2010
Phase I Assessment
Phase I Assessment
Phase II Assessment
Property purchased by Ihe American Mural Project
Foundation
Cleanup Begins
Cleanup Completed
Phase I Redevelopment Start Date
October 2009
Local Contact: Ellen Griesedieck, American Mural Project Foundation • (860) 364-0156

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