Brookfield is looking to team up with a private developer to clean up a brownfield site.  The town is also seeking state funding for the  redevelopment of a former dry cleaning business at 20 Station Road.  The property has been a source of environmental contamination for decades.  Dry cleaning chemicals have plumed up to Laurel Hill Road. 

Brookfield wouldn't have to own any liability for current or future contamination under an initiative from the state Department of Economic and Community Development.  The relatively new state grant program requires a municipality to partner with a developer in order to be eligible to receive funding. 

Brookfield Community Development Specialist Greg Dembowski says the plans for the property will see it add additional retail and residential space along with public parking.  Brookfield Village Station Road, LLC, is owned by the same principal partners behind the ongoing mixed-used commercial and real estate development projects in that area.  If grant funding is approved, Dembowski says the developer would pay the outstanding property taxes and the blight fines. 

Remediation and demolition of the boarded-up building will not cost the town any capital money.  A utility easement associated with the property would remain with the town for a potential Still River Greenway expansion. 

The deadline to file the 28-page grant application is September 23rd.