[font=Verdana]Stamford, CT: [/font]

[font=Verdana]Demolition activity has started at the 22-acre former Pitney Bowes complex at [/font][font=Verdana]Peninsula[/font][font=Verdana]Bay[/font][font=Verdana].[/font]

[font=Verdana]It's the first step in a major demolition project in [/font][font=Verdana]Stamford[/font][font=Verdana]. A 120 foot-high Pitney Bowes sign is being removed, which will be stored on a warehouse for now.[/font]

[font=Verdana]This sets in motion a large scale demolition of the former Pitney Bowes complex also known as [/font][font=Verdana]Peninsula[/font][font=Verdana]Bay[/font][font=Verdana].[/font]

[font=Verdana]The demolition kicks off a revitalization project that will provide new housing in the area.[/font]

[font=Verdana]The start of demolition is what city leaders hope will be a multi-year $2 billion redevelopment program targeting some 82 acres of brownfield properties in the South End section of the city. [/font]

[font=Verdana]The first stage of the demolition included lead paint and asbestos removal from the Pitney Bowes buildings. A majority of the structures at the site are expected to be leveled by May of 2006. [/font]