The Connecticut plan calls for housing, commercial space, a restaurant and event space.
Now, the town of Vernon is inviting the public to a stakeholder meeting next month to learn more about the future of the Daniel’s Mill project, which calls for those elements.
The Daniel’s Mill project is a part of the Rockville Mill Complex project, which is a remediation and renovation project to repurpose and reuse contaminated 19th century textile mills for the 21st Century.
“The site plan for the mill complex calls for 110,000 square feet of residential units, 20,000 square feet of commercial space and associated parking. A restaurant and event space are planned for the commercial space,” according to a statement from the town of Vernon.
Vernon officials said that the remediation of the site is “expected to begin shortly.”
Many residents cherish the old brick-and-wood mills as a visual centerpiece of Rockville as well as a reminder of that area’s long-ago moniker of Loom City. But like abandoned mills and factories across the state, Rockville’s buildings were decaying as many years of neglect and leaky roofs piled up.
The town of Vernon was awarded a $650,000 grant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the fiscal year of 2022 for the EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant with a cost-share of $130,000 and is currently facilitating the grant.
The town is working with Atlanta-based Camden Management Partners of Atlanta to redevelop the adjoining mills in downtown Vernon.
Daniel’s Mill, at 98 East Main St., will be discussed in the Citizens Block Community Room, first floor, 30 Park Place on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. The entrance is at the back of the building, and all are welcome. The meeting is also accessible online via Zoom.
The Rockville Mill Complex project includes Daniels Mill, the former Amerbelle Mill and the former Anocoil facility in the Rockville Center of Vernon. The Daniels Mill, the adjacent Anacoil Mill and the Amerbelle complex all shuttered after they ended production nearly 75 years ago.
The planned meeting will specifically discuss the Daniels Mill.
According to the town of Vernon, attendees will have the chance to ask questions about the project and the remediation of Daniels Mill.
Vernon’s Director of Development Services Shaun Gately will answer questions about the project and also a licensed environmental professional will address questions about the cleanup process.
“These mills are an important part of Vernon’s history, and my goal is to make them an important part of our future,” Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said in the statement. “This project will be transformational for Vernon. We will continue to work with the state and federal government to keep moving this project forward.”
In all, the town of Vernon said it has received a total of $4 million from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development.
Previous Courant reporting was included.