Bridgeport, Connecticut, has a deep industrial history. During World War II, it housed major arms factories that left a lasting mark on the city’s infrastructure and environment. As industry declined and factories shuttered, they left behind not only empty structures but also widespread contamination. Heavy metals, lead, and asbestos persist in buildings, in the air, and most critically, in the soil. Yet little research has been done to understand how far this soil pollution has spread. The Pollination Stack responds directly to this issue — proposing a creative, community-centered method for identifying and addressing contamination. A decommissioned 500-foot smokestack from the former PSEG coal plant — a local icon now slated for demolition — will be repurposed into a vertical pollinator garden. Native plants with bioremediation properties will grow in and around the structure. Wind and pollinators, especially in the prevailing northeast direction, will help distribute seeds across the South End, East End, and Stratford — historically underserved communities. Researchers can then trace the plants and test them for heavy metal absorption, helping to map contaminated areas. The smokestack’s height also allows for vertical hydroponic gardens, supplying fresh produce to neighborhoods where contaminated soil prevents traditional growing. At ground level, surrounding structures will be cleaned and converted into research and educational spaces. These facilities will support local schools and colleges, creating a platform for studying soil remediation and advancing environmental health. By transforming a symbol of industrial pollution into an active tool for research, restoration, and public engagement, The Pollination Stack reframes decay as potential — offering a new future for both the site and the communities that surround it.
