Revitalizing Hope for Contaminated Mill Site in Connecticut

# Plainfield‘s InterRoyal Mill Site Gets $8 Million for Cleanup and Redevelopment

After sitting abandoned for thirty years, Plainfield’s infamous InterRoyal mill is finally getting a shot at redemption. Thanks to $8 million in state funds, the town hopes to turn this contaminated relic into a lively center that tackles old hazards and sparks fresh economic growth for eastern Connecticut.

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The Troubled History of Plainfield’s Largest Eyesore

The InterRoyal property covers 16 acres and once powered Plainfield’s economy. Hundreds of locals worked there, making textiles and office furniture.

Like other factories in towns such as Norwich, Willimantic, and Putnam, its closure left a real gap in the area’s job market.

Environmental Hazards and Criminal Negligence

After the mill shut down, the site became a mess of safety and environmental problems. Asbestos, PCBs, and other dangerous substances lingered for decades, threatening nearby families and the Moosup River, which winds its way toward Griswold.

Then came 2000, when things got worse. A former selectman and contractor tore down parts of the mill without following environmental rules, knowingly putting workers and neighbors at risk from asbestos exposure.

Authorities filed criminal charges, and the scandal made cleanup even harder.

The Devastating 2005 Fire

In 2005, disaster struck yet again. A huge fire ripped through much of the complex, forcing folks in surrounding neighborhoods to evacuate.

Crews rushed in for emergency demolition to keep contamination from spreading as far as Sterling and Killingly. The property’s been fenced off ever since, but that hasn’t stopped curious trespassers from sneaking in despite the obvious dangers.

Reimagining Plainfield’s Future

Unlike neighboring towns like Danielson or Brooklyn, Plainfield never really had a town center. Now, leaders want to fix that by transforming the InterRoyal site into a true community hub.

Ambitious Development Plans

Here’s what the town envisions for the space:

Expanding the nearby Lion’s Park for more recreation

Renovating any buildings that can be saved, turning them into restaurants and retail shops

Building rowhouses to help with the local housing crunch

Adding spaces for community events

Maybe even putting in a sports complex

Local business owners—from Plainfield and even as far as Waterford—see this as a real chance for economic growth. Some hope the project will draw visitors from Hartford and beyond, giving small businesses a boost while still nodding to the town’s industrial roots.

Timeline and Community Impact

Officials aren’t sugarcoating the timeline. They estimate it’ll take five to eight years to finish cleanup and redevelopment.

Construction alone should open up plenty of jobs for folks in Plainfield and nearby communities like Thompson and Windham.

Preserving Industrial Heritage

Town leaders want to honor the site’s historical significance, even after removing a toxic liability. They’re considering a memorial for the generations of mill workers who once powered Plainfield’s economy.

This memorial could become a community centerpiece, connecting the past and future. It’s a way to remember the people who shaped the town’s identity.

For residents who’ve lived with the abandoned complex for decades, the cleanup means more than just environmental work. It sparks some community pride and gives hope for economic revitalization in a place that’s struggled since manufacturing declined.

Here is the source article for this story: After several decades and a scandal, CT town sees hope for contaminated ex-mill site

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