O’Sullivan’s Island Fishing and Viewing Platform

OSI Crane 2
Overhead view facing O'Sullivan's Island
OSI Crane
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O’Sullivan’s Island is a peninsula at the confluence of the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers under the Route 8 bridge that connects Derby and Shelton. NVCOG has assisted with several projects that make the site an asset for the region. 

Even with vehicles going over the peninsula on Route 8 and trains passing nearby, the site offers a peaceful spot for people to enjoy the riverfront. O’Sullivan’s Island is among the lower Naugatuck Valley’s most interesting and naturally beautiful land. It is also one of the most challenging brownfield locations NVCOG has had the opportunity to improve. 

On July 13, 2023, NVCOG joined Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan; Rick Jacobson; Assistant Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Deputy Commissioner Mason Trumble; Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, to celebrate the opening of the handicapped-accessible fishing and viewing platform. The platform is 80 feet across, 16 feet wide, and will extend 30 feet into the river. The Pier will expand recreational opportunities along the river, supplemented by traffic from the nearby Naugatuck River Greenway Trail. 

Funding for the fishing pier was secured from several state and federal partners; including a $200,000 grant from the state Department of Economic and Community Development for site assessments and soil remediation; a $325,000 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and an additional $204,252 from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Federal Sport Fish Restoration program.

Progression of Construction

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Work to make O’Sullivan’s Island started well before the fishing pier project. NVCOG Executive Director Rick Dunne, Environmental Planner Arthur Bogen, and Brownfields Manager Ricardo Rodriguez orchestrated funding and helped the City of Derby with work that transformed the site. That included getting a $200,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development for Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments. Those assessments are complete, and monitoring of the site is ongoing.

O’Sullivan’s Island Recreation Park reopened to the public in 2009 after being closed for over twenty years. In 2013, the City of Derby completed its portion of the Naugatuck River Greenway trail that runs across the site’s northern edge.

NVCOG managed grant funding, and HRP Associates completed the construction of the platform.

Project Documents

Legal Notice – O’Sullivan’s Island Fishing and Viewing Platform Information for Bid (IFB)

O’Sullivan Island Fishing and Viewing Platform  –  Project Manual

O’Sullivan’s Island Fishing and Viewing Platform – Plan Set

O’Sullivan Island Fishing & Viewing Platform Addendum 1

O’Sullivan Island Fishing & Viewing Platform Addendum 2

**Bid Results

313 Mill Street, Waterbury

 

Project Type: Cleanup Planning

Activities: A baseball field and community park now stand on the remnants of a former industrial parcel in Waterbury’s south end. In 2012, the former Nova Dye factory burned, leaving a contaminated and vacant parcel in one of the city’s most underserved areas. The project was facilitated by a $200,000 award from NVCOG’s Revolving Loan Fund meant to close environmental data gaps and an additional $3,000,000 provided by the state. The park, adjacent to the Mad River, now provides a safe space for recreational opportunities in a neighborhood that previously had little access to green space. 

Project Status: Remediation and construction work is complete. The park is open to the public.

Mad River, Waterbury

River and Building

River and Building

Project Type: Cleanup

NVCOG oversaw a $500,000 grant for assessment and remediation across multiple parcels on behalf of the Waterbury Development Corporation (WDC). The remaining funds were allocated to conduct clean-up activities at Lot 19, where Brass City Harvest has constructed a regional food hub for cleaning and preparing locally-grown foods for distribution.

Project Status: Remediation activities have been completed.

909 Bank Street, Waterbury

Project Type: (Completed) Environmental Site Assessment and Remediation

Activities: The Brooklyn neighborhood of  recently celebrated the opening of a new park. Click here to learn more. 

 The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments conducted an environmental assessment in order to facilitate potential site transfer of the former vacant property. Assessment work was funded by EPA petroleum funds through NVCOG’s FY2016 EPA Assessment grant, as approved by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and by U.S. EPA Region 1.

Upon completion of the assessment activities on site, the City of Waterbury was granted a $220,000 sub-awarded through NVCOG’s Revolving Loan Fund for remedial activities throughout the site. Remedial Activities were completed late 2020 with the Connecticut Department of Energy Environmental Protection providing a Voluntary Remediation Verification for the Site. The City of Waterbury has developed the site into a neighborhood “pocket” park. 

Project Status: Completed and open for use.

100 Franklin Street, Torrington

 

Project Type: (Completed) Cleanup Planning

Activity: The Naugatuck Valley Council of Government’s Revolving Loan Fund Committee sub granted the City of Torrington $44,000 from its Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to help aid with cleanup planning at 100 Franklin Street.

Status: PennRose has completed construction of “The Riverfront”. The new mixed-income, mixed-use community contains 60 one, two, and three bedroom apartments, 45 of which are set aside for affordable housing (70% of AMI) and 1200 square-feet of commercial space.  The new development  revitalize the former Torrington Manufacturing Company (Torin) site and contributes to a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly downtown.  Resident amenities will include a rooftop deck, outdoor playground and seating areas, fitness center, community lounge, resident storage, and full-time management and maintenance staff.

Click here to view the grand opening.

226 Rubber Ave, Naugatuck

Project Type: Cleanup Planning 

Activities: The Borough of Naugatuck was sub-granted $45,000 for assessment activities at 226 Rubber Ave. Environmental data collected on site will help the Borough determine redevelopment options for future reuse.  

Project Status: Environmental site assessment activities are complete. Reports are currently under review by the Borough. 

28 Glen Road, Newtown

Type of Project: Clean up

Activities: The Town of Newtown was granted $45,000 through NVCOG’s Revolving Loan Fund program to aid with the removal of hazardous waste at 28 Glen Road. The property is currently vacant. Cleanup at the site is conducted with the goal of preparing the site for future remediation activities paving the way for redevelopment.

Project Status: Remedial activities have been completed.

 

Ansonia 35 North Main Street

Project Type: Cleanup

Activities: Cleanup – Removal of Hazardous Waste

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments has sub-granted the City of Ansonia $176,766 from its Revolving Loan Fund program to aid with remedial activities in Building 12 at 35 North Main Street.

Project Status: Large quantities of hazardous waste have been removed from Building 12. More funding is required to continue the cleanup process throughout the entire site.

Waterbury Industrial Commons

Building and Sky

Project Type: Clean-up and Assessment

Activities: Phase II Environmental Site Assessment and Hazardous Building Materials Assessment at former Jo-Vek portion. Clean-up funding awarded at Lots 10 and 11.

NVCOG’s Revolving Loan Fund Committee awarded the City of Waterbury $173,000 to continue project work at Waterbury Industrial Commons (WIC). WIC is a testament to the City of Waterbury’s commitment to supporting advanced manufacturing and well-paying jobs in the region. The undertaking has leveraged tens of millions from the Department of Defense and private investment.

An NVCOG EPA Revolving Loan Fund grant targeted cleanup of contaminated soils. NVCOG conducted a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment at the former Jo-Vek portion of the Waterbury Industrial Commons Campus.

Project Status: Lot 10 Phase II Environmental Site Assessment in draft. Remediation funding awarded – development of  subaward agreement between NVCOG and Waterbury Development Corporation in progress.

Naugatuck 251 Rubber Ave

NAUG 251RubberAve

Project Type: Assessment 

Activities: Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments

NVCOG has conducted an environmental assessment in order to facilitate potential site transfer. The property is improved by a 2-bay service garage. Assessment is funded by petroleum funds through NVCOG’s FY2016 EPA Assessment grant, as approved by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and by U.S. EPA Region 1.

 

Project Status: Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments complete.