Brownfields Redevelopment

Certificate of Completion Issued for Large Madison Brownfield

Posted on by elisabethkuisis
Sign at Royster Clark Property with contact information and list of financial supporters.

The Royster Clark project benefited from several financial incentives including the DNR’s Ready for Reuse program.

After more than 200 environmental reports and approvals over the course of ten years, the Wisconsin DNR issued a final Certificate of Completion for the former Royster-Clark facility in Madison. The Certificate of Completion was issued in March 2017 when the Wisconsin DNR approved the final investigation and remedial action and provided a liability exemption through the Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) program.

The 27 acre Royster-Clark facility was once a fertilizer factory operating from 1952 until it closed in 2006. In 2011, Ruedebusch Development and Construction (RDC), a Madison-based real estate developer, purchased the property and took on the task of cleanup and redevelopment of the unique project.

The cleanup included contamination from leaking underground storage tanks and the excavation of more than 50,000 tons of nitrogen-contaminated soil removed from the site. The property went through extensive meetings, planning and approvals from the neighborhood association and the city of Madison. The redevelopment, some of which is already complete, includes affordable housing, market rate apartments, and commercial development, including a new public library branch and potential grocery store. The project also includes 50+ lots ready for single family homes.

The cleanup project benefited from several financial incentives including the Wisconsin DNR’s Ready for Reuse program, which is funded through a RLF brownfields grant from the EPA, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation grants, and funding from the city of Madison.

FY 16-17 Remediation and Redevelopment Program 128(a) Mid-Year Report Complete

Posted on by Zachary Teicher
Mid Year Report 128a FY 16-17 Cover

The DNR submits reports twice a year to EPA on the use of brownfields grant funds to enhance its state response program and to fulfill public record requirements.

The RR Program’s mid-year report to the EPA, which details outputs and outcomes funded by a federal grant, is now available for review. The Section 128(a) Grant Mid-Year Report, for the reporting period of September 1, 2016 to February 28, 2017, highlights work completed in the first half of the funding year.

Since 2003, the RR Program has consistently and efficiently used these funds under a cooperative agreement with the EPA to enhance state efforts with brownfields cleanup and redevelopment. Previous reports can be found on the Brownfields Program web page.

 

Oshkosh, Stoughton Brownfields to Benefit from Wisconsin Assessment Monies (WAM) Awards

Posted on by Zachary Teicher
Investigating for Contamination

WAM awards help investigate contamination at closed or closing industrial plants.

Two Wisconsin communities will benefit from WAM awards to help investigate contamination at two former manufacturing properties, soon destined for new life.

In Oshkosh, the Housing Authority seeks to convert the former Waite Grass Rug Factory into new housing, parking, daycare and office space. In Stoughton, the Stoughton Redevelopment Authority wants to clean up the former Millfab Holley Moulding property, getting that site ready for redevelopment.

Read the full press release.

The Brownfields 2017 Call for Ideas Is Open

Posted on by elisabethkuisis

Help design a fantastic conference agenda — submit your educational programming proposals for the EPA’s 2017 National Brownfields Training Conference.

Join the next National Brownfields Training Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, December 5 -7, 2017.  In addition to regular conference programming, EPA will hold pre-conference workshops on December 4.

You are invited to submit your ideas for dynamic educational sessions that encourage conversation and participation from your fellow attendees. A great Brownfields 2017 educational program will motivate brownfields stakeholders to engage, learn, and share their experiences and knowledge of community revitalization challenges and solutions.

How to Submit an Idea

Submit an abstract for a Brownfields 2017 session or presentation using our online submission form on www.brownfields2017.org. Deadline is March 17, 2017.

For questions, contact Patricia Overmeyer, at the EPA Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, 202-566-2774, Overmeyer.Patricia@epa.gov

Prepared Workbook: Process for Risk Evaluation, Property Analysis and Reuse Decisions

Posted on by elisabethkuisis

The Prepared Workbook for Brownfields and Land Revitalization from the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) is a risk management framework for evaluating various actions that a local government might take to bring about a desired reuse at contaminated properties that it does not currently own.

The workbook is available now from the CDFA and is a good resource for municipal officials who are looking to clean up and redevelop contaminated property.

 

Updated Guidance Document: Frequently Asked Questions about the Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE)

Posted on by elisabethkuisis

The Remediation and Redevelopment Program has finalized a guidance document to help people using the Voluntary Party Liability Exemption program. The final version of the document, “Frequently Asked Questions about the Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE),” DNR publication RR-507, is now available. The VPLE program allows people to conduct an environmental investigation and cleanup of a contaminated property with DNR oversight and receive an exemption from future liability. This document provides detailed information about the VPLE program that has helped facilitate many successful brownfield remediation and redevelopment projects across Wisconsin.

The DNR response to public comments received about this guidance is also available. Questions should be directed to Michael Prager, 608-261-4927.

Free Brownfields Technical Assistance in 2017

Posted on by elisabethkuisis

Ready to redevelop that brownfield property but not sure how to finance it? Let the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) financing experts provide free recommendations for your project. Opportunities are now available for on-site technical assistance through CDFA Brownfields Project Response Teams. CDFA staff and advisors will travel to your community to tour the site, meet with stakeholders, and provide financing recommendations. To learn more, take part in the CDFA’s free webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 1:00 EST.

The Council of Development Finance Agencies is a national association dedicated to the advancement of development finance concerns and interests. CDFA is comprised of the nation’s leading and most knowledgeable members of the development finance community representing public, private and non-profit entities alike. For more information about CDFA, visit www.cdfa.net.

DNR Secretary Tours Merrill Brownfields

Posted on by elisabethkuisis
Merrill Brownfields Tour

In the photo are (L to R): Christine Haag, DNR; David Johnson, City of Merrill; Ken Maule, Merrill Area Development Corporation; DNR Sec. Stepp; John Robinson, DNR; Marie Steenlage, WEDC; Gary Hartwig, Merrill Area Development Corporation; Tim Weber, WEDC; John Gozdzialski, DNR.

Wisconsin DNR Sec. Cathy Stepp (center) leads a “Cabinet on the Road” tour of Merrill, Wis. The group paused for a photo in front of the River Bend Trail, a bicycling and walking path that winds its way along the Wisconsin River and passes through a handful of brownfield cleanup sites that the City and DNR have teamed up to address, including the former Hurd Manufacturing property.

Gov. Scott Walker kicked off the Cabinet on the Road series last July as a way for the administration to hear directly from citizens about important matters affecting their communities.

Leveraging Resources for Brownfields Revitalization: Meet the Funders – Economic Development Webinar Recording Available

Posted on by elisabethkuisis

Are you a local government representative searching for brownfield funding? Wondering what federal brownfield financial assistance is available beyond the EPA? In this webinar, Leveraging Resources for Brownfields Revitalization: Meet the Funders – Economic Development, you will hear from federal agencies such as the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, US Dept. of Agriculture-Rural Development and the US Economic Development Administration (part of US Dept. of Commerce), about practical and immediately useful information about the type of funding available and how to apply for it.

DNR Brownfields “Annual Accomplishments” Report Available

Posted on by elisabethkuisis

The RR Program’s annual brownfields accomplishments report to US EPA, which details outputs and outcomes funded by a federal grant, is now available. The Section 128(a) Grant Final Accomplishments Report, for the reporting period of September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016, highlights work completed in past the funding year. Since 2003, the RR Program has consistently and efficiently used these funds to enhance state efforts with brownfields cleanup and redevelopment.

Previous 128(a) reports can be found on the Brownfields Program webpage.