Mill Sites Redevelopment Advisory Committee (MSRAC)

What We Do

The Mill Sites Redevelopment Advisory Committee (MSRAC) charge is to improve, enhance, and promote the Town’s mill sites and projects within the downtown Grosvenordale and North Grosvenordale historic villages. This is accomplished through:

  1. Assisting town staff and the Board of Selectmen in obtaining and administering grants for projects such as environmental assessments, public improvements, brown field remediation, and redevelopment of mill sites.
  2. Working with staff and the Board of Selectmen to obtain funding for public improvement projects to beautify and make the downtown village areas more vibrant and functional. Project examples include sidewalks, landscaping, park improvements, signage, LID stormwater features, and improved ADA access.
  3. Holding public meetings with stakeholders to advance and help market projects such as the restoration and renovation of the 929 Riverside Drive River Mill and the replacement of the Riverside Drive sidewalks.
  4. Assisting with project management such as sending out RFP’s for professional services (engineers, LEP’s, marketing, etc.) interviewing and recommending consultants, and obtaining local permits.
  5. Collaborating with state agencies and land banks to facilitate redevelopment and obtain financing for projects.
  6. Providing updates of any ongoing work to the Board of Selectmen.

What We Have Done

  1. Obtained a DECD Municipal Brownfield Assessment and Inventory grant in 2014 for $200,000 for Belding Mill. Grant funds were used for:
    • Phases I, II, and III environment assessments.
    • Structural assessment of retaining walls.
    • Topographic survey to determine flood plain.
    • Remedial action / redevelopment report.
  2. Obtained a $218,000 Historic Brownfield Revitalization program grant from DECD in 2015 for River Mill including 915 and 929 Riverside Drive. Grant funds were used for:
    • Conducting environmental assessments.
    • Structural evaluation.
    • Hazardous building material survey.
  3. In 2018 Thompson was awarded a $170,000 Brownfield Area-Wide Revitalization (BAR) Planning Grant from the state for the two-mile corridor along Riverside Drive from Belding Mill in the south to the intersection with Route 131 in the north. Grant funds were used for:
    • Phase II/Phase III Environmental Investigation of 915 Riverside Dr.
    • Comprehensive Traffic and Pedestrian Study.
    • Zoning Revisions to Promote Redevelopment within the corridor.
    • Hiring a consultant to design the Riverside Drive Sidewalks Reconstruction project.
  4. In 2020 the Town was awarded a $2.1 million CTDOT LOTCIP grant to fund the construction of the Riverside Drive Sidewalk Replacement project and construction was substantially completed in 2022.

What We Are Working On

  1. Blain Road intersection – The Committee is working on the reconfiguration of the intersection for safety, aesthetics and to improve the French River water quality.
  2. 630 Riverside Drive (former Belding Mill site) – The Committee is exploring redevelopment funding options and seeking to attract developers.
  3. 65 Main Street – The Committee is supporting the renovations of the town owned building into a business incubator and permaculture garden along the French River.
  4. Main Street Reconstruction – The Committee is assisting the Board of Selectmen in coordinating with the design consultant for new paving and sidewalks. This work includes assisting with the preparation of a grant application to CTDOT for a LOTCIP construction grant.

Members are appointed for an indefinite term.

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Committee Members

NameTitle
Janet Blanchette

Chair

Bernie Davis

Member

JoAnn Hall

Member

Charlene Langlois

Member

Steve Lewis

Vice Chair

Norma O'Leary

Member

Renee Waldron

Member

Ken Beausoleil

Alternate

Ryan Cournoyer

Alternate