Seekonk to Receive Brownfield Award Former Attleboro Dye Works site to be revitalized

Boston- The Baker-Polito Administration awarded $1.25 million from the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund to support the environmental assessment and cleanup of five underutilized or abandoned sites across the Commonwealth that may have contaminants present. The former Attleboro Dye Work site at 36 Maple Avenue in Seekonk was one of five sites awarded the grant throughout the Commonwealth.

"The Brownfields Redevelopment Fund supports the assessment and cleanup of challenging sites across the Commonwealth, making our cities and towns stronger by clearing the way for new housing, commercial space, and jobs," said Governor Charlie Baker. "Congratulations to today's awardees, who are doing the hard work of converting stuck properties into assets that will benefit their communities."

"This funding helps municipalities and their partners overcome significant hurdles that would otherwise stand in the way of communities' goals for economic development," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. "Along with the Site Readiness and MassWorks Programs, the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund is another state resource communities can leverage to fund necessary predevelopment work essential to the advancement and completion of key projects."

"The Brownfields Redevelopment Fund underscores the Baker-Polito Administration's commitment to building vibrant communities across the Commonwealth," said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. "Not only will this funding help reduce blight and facilitate private investment, but it will also add new housing opportunities and create jobs during the economic recovery."

MassDevelopment oversees the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, which helps to transform vacant, abandoned, or underused industrial or commercial properties by financing the environmental assessment and remediation of brownfield sites in "Economically Distressed Areas" of the Commonwealth. From the Fund's inception in 1998 through FY20, it has supported 747 awards for a total investment of more than $108 million.

"MassDevelopment is proud to administer the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, which serves as an important resource for the cleanup and redevelopment of key properties, and we thank the Baker-Polito Administration and the Legislature for their continued support of the program," said MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss. "This year we're choosing to make significant investments in five parcels that, once redeveloped, will allow for the creation of up to 312 housing units and about 50 full-time jobs.

In August 2020, MassDevelopment opened a competitive solicitation for applications from municipalities and their agencies or authorities, for up to $100,000 in site assessment funding or up to $250,000 in site assessment and/or remediation funding. The Town of Seekonk will use funds to remediate the former Attleboro Dye Works Site, a 7.88-acre site with three industrial buildings totaling 105,000 square feet of space, before marketing the parcel for housing, commercial, or light industrial uses.

Representative Steven Howitt expressed his gratitude to the Baker administration and the Town of Seekonk for their commitment to revitalizing the property. "I would like to thank the Baker-Polito administration for keeping their promise to assist towns, like Seekonk, with economic development. This grant will help the town revitalize this property and put it back onto the town's tax roll. I would also like to thank and congratulate the Town of Seekonk Conservation Agent, Jennifer Miller, who worked diligently to submit the successful application" said Representative Howitt.