Hartford’s effort to transform vacant lots and underused buildings to the south of Bushnell Park just got a big boost with a $3 million state investment in stormwater improvements. The state Bond Commission, on Friday, approved a $3 million grant through the Capital Region Development Authority for a roughly mile-long pipe to carry stormwater runoff away from the “Bushnell South” area and into the Park River. The new system will allow developers to tie drainage systems carrying water from their building rooftops and parking lots into a stormwater sewer system, rather than into stormwater retention systems that are expensive and eat up otherwise buildable space on their lots. The Metropolitan District and Capital Region Development Authority have worked closely over the past two years to finalize a cost-sharing arrangement for the roughly $4.5 million project. Jellison expects to hammer out a final cost-sharing agreement with the state and CRDA later this year, then launch an 18-month construction effort at some point next year.

$3M state stormwater infrastructure grant opens door to development near Hartford’s Bushnell Park