Brownfields Success: Watertown And The Bentzin Family Town Square

Posted on by Christine Sieger
Crowd of people watching ribbon cutting on waterfront.

Official ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bentzin Family Town Square, Watertown WI in May 2023.

The city motto of Watertown, WI is “Opportunity Runs Through It.” Watertown has been intentionally and incrementally creating that opportunity through long-term redevelopment of brownfields and under-utilized areas in its riverfront downtown corridor. Ten years of planning later, the Bentzin Family Town Square is the redevelopment that ties the community’s vision together.

Watertown utilized funding from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wisconsin Assessment Monies (WAM) and Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant, along with over $2 million in additional funds to spur the redevelopment of a former hair salon, pharmacy, restaurant, karate studio and printing press. A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment and subsequent site investigations identified petroleum contaminated soil prior to cleanup and demolition.

Bentzin Family Town Square is designed to be open, inviting, and beautiful space that provides a central place for community activities and gatherings for guests of all ages and abilities. The multi-purpose space serves many purposes such as:

  • Providing a portal to the Rock River with an accessible boat and kayak launch
  • Celebrating the unique and rich history of the city with a regionally produced art installation
  • Promoting tourism and community activity with a plaza for music performances, markets and food trucks
  • Creating a space for youth activities with a splash pad and interactive water art piece
  • Connecting the library to the downtown corridor with a new central entrance and ‘front porch’ leading directly to the town square

Watertown government officials recognized the importance of community buy-in and support early in the planning process. They communicated proactively through community meetings, a dedicated website, and a robust social media plan which included a monthly production video. Even the youngest Watertown residents were included in planning; Watertown held a K-5 grade art contest to collect ideas for amenities to add to the square. A program events coordinator position was created to organize and manage year-round activities, which demonstrated continued investment in the area. Future town square expansion plans include a 101-unit luxury multi-family development with approximately 2,800 square feet of commercial and retail space. Construction is set to begin September of 2023.

Town square with green grass in middle of small town main street.

Bentzin Family Town Square is a monument to collaboration; stakeholders from private and public sectors committed to the project. Credit: Watertown Redevelopment Authority.

Watertown city officials state that investment in redevelopment “has already paid dividends by increasing downtown activity, opening doors to more employment opportunities, and encouraging other business owners to update their properties.”

Cleaning up and redeveloping a brownfield property takes time, but with Green Team help from the DNR and the support of state financial partners, a successful redevelopment is possible.

The DNR has a wide range of financial and liability tools available to help local governments, businesses, lenders, and others clean up and redevelop brownfields in Wisconsin, including Ready for Reuse financial awards, which may be used for environmental cleanup and the WAM Program, which partners with communities to help clean up and redevelop often run-down or underused properties that detract from a community’s potential. The Wisconsin Brownfield Success Stories Map showcases some of the many communities that have effectively cleaned up and repurposed brownfield properties.

Feeling inspired? The DNR is happy to help you and your community with your cleanup and redevelopment efforts. Request a Green Team meeting and start the conversation.

Updates To The Bureau Of Remediation And Redevelopment Tracking System (BRRTS) On The Web (BOTW)

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Bureau of Remediation and Redevelopment Tracking System (BRRTS) on the Web (BOTW) has undergone updates to its Search webpage and added Great Lakes Area of Concern (AOC) information.

Search Page

The BOTW Search webpage has been redesigned to eliminate scrolling. No content has been changed.

Great Lakes Area of Concern (AOC)

“Great Lakes AOC” is now a search criterion on the BOTW Search webpage. Great Lakes AOCs are geographic areas designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) where significant impairment of beneficial uses has occurred as a result of human activities at the local level. Clicking the “Great Lakes AOC” search criteria on BOTW will limit search results to those BRRTS sites within the designated AOCs. AOC information has been added to BOTW Supplemental webpage (provides a list of all BRRTS sites within the designated AOCs in Wisconsin), AOC Detail webpage (defines AOC and provides details for each Wisconsin AOC), and an AOC activity banner has been added to relevant sites.

Please contact Sonya Rowe at Sonya.Rowe@wisconsin.gov if you experience any technical issues.

RR Program Seeks Remediation and Redevelopment Regional Program Supervisor

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is recruiting a Remediation and Redevelopment Regional Program Supervisor.

This position will be located in the DNR’s Eau Claire office. The deadline to apply is Sept. 5, 2023.

This position is responsible for the supervision and implementation of the RR Program in the West Central Region. This position works within the Environmental Management Division in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This position is responsible for developing, directing, coaching, mentoring and supervising permanent and LTE staff, serves on the RR Program management team and is responsible for directing all aspects of the RR Program within the West Central Region.

A full position description, including necessary qualifications, is available online at the Wisc.jobs website (Job ID number 11466).

Now Available: Publication Guidance: Wisconsin Vapor Quick Look-Up Table Indoor Air Vapor Action Levels and Vapor Risk Screening Levels (RR-0136)

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The publication Guidance: Wisconsin Vapor Quick Look-Up Table Indoor Air Vapor Action Levels and Vapor Risk Screening Levels (RR-0136) is now updated and available online. There were no changes to the Vapor Action Levels (VALs) or Vapor Risk Screening Levels (VRSLs) for the compounds listed.

The document can be found here. Additional documents and guidance from the Remediation and Redevelopment Program may be found using the search tools available on the publications and forms webpage.

The purpose of the guidance is to list volatile organic compounds frequently encountered at cleanup sites in Wisconsin. Consultants should compare vapor data for open sites to the updated table for potential additional actions. Vapor data for chemicals not listed on RR-0136 should accessed via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Vapor Intrusion Screening Level (VISL) Calculator; instructions on using VISL are included in RR-0136.

Questions regarding this document may be submitted to Jennifer Borski at Jennifer.Borski@wisconsin.gov.

DNR To Hold Remediation And Redevelopment External Advisory Group Subgroup Meetings

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host Remediation and Redevelopment External Advisory Group (RR EAG) subgroup meetings on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

The RR EAG was formed to address a broad range of issues, encompassing both technical and policy topics related to encouraging the investigation, cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites in Wisconsin.

The RR EAG identifies issues and topics of interest that may be addressed by ad hoc subgroups. Subgroup members are expected to research and develop recommendations on the selected topics for presentation to the full group. RR EAG subgroup meetings are open to the public.

Where:
State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2)
Rm. G-27
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

Please check-in at the security desk before taking the elevator.

In-person attendees should RSVP to Jody.Irland@wisconsin.gov by noon on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023.

When:

* A subgroup focused on Vapor Intrusion was proposed during the July RR EAG meeting. The initial RR EAG Vapor Intrusion subgroup meeting will focus on drafting a work plan that may include outcomes such as:

    • Awareness of vapor intrusion risks and reduced exposure to humans
    • Long-term stewardship of vapor mitigation systems
    • Increased identification of high risk vapor intrusion sites
    • Increased coordination with partners/stakeholders at sites with risk of exposure to vapor intrusion

Visit the DNR’s RR EAG webpage for meeting agendas, materials and additional information. Subscribe for updates on future RR EAG meetings.

New Vapor Intrusion-Focused Subgroup For DNR’s Remediation And Redevelopment External Advisory Group

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Remediation and Redevelopment Program External Advisory Group (RR EAG) has added a new subgroup focused on Vapor Intrusion.

The DNR’s RR Program oversees the investigation and cleanup of environmental contamination and the redevelopment of contaminated properties. The RR EAG and its subgroups (Vapor Intrusion, Environmental Justice, NR 700, Funding Sustainability, Contaminated Sediments) were formed to address a broad range of issues, encompassing both technical and policy topics related to encouraging the investigation, cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites in Wisconsin.

A subgroup focused on Vapor Intrusion was proposed during the July RR EAG meeting.

The first meeting of the RR EAG Vapor Intrusion subgroup will be Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023.

The initial RR EAG Vapor Intrusion subgroup meeting will focus on drafting a work plan that may include outcomes such as:

  • Awareness of vapor intrusion risks and reduced exposure to humans
  • Long-term stewardship of vapor mitigation systems
  • Increased identification of high-risk vapor intrusion sites
  • Increased coordination with partners/stakeholders at sites with risk of exposure to vapor intrusion

When:
Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023
2-3:30 p.m.

Where:
State Natural Resources Bldg. (GEF 2)
Rm. G-27
101 S. Webster St.
Madison, WI

In-person attendees should RSVP to Jody.Irland@wisconsin.gov by noon on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023.
Join us via Zoom – Zoom attendance registration.

All meetings are open to the public and we encourage you to share this invite with those who you think may be interested. Visit the DNR’s RR EAG webpage for meeting agendas, materials and additional information. Subscribe for updates on future RR EAG meetings.

Now Available: Guidance on Addressing Contaminated Sediment Sites in Wisconsin (RR-0124)

Posted on by Jodie Thistle

Following a public comment period, the publication Guidance on Addressing Contaminated Sediment Sites in Wisconsin (RR-0124) is now posted and available online.

The document can be found here. Additional documents and guidance from the Remediation and Redevelopment Program may be found using the search tools available on the publications and forms webpage.

The purpose of this guidance is to outline approaches for investigating and remediating hazardous substances discharges that impact sediment to comply with the requirements in Wisconsin Statutes (Wis. Stat.) ch. 292 and the applicable provisions of Wisconsin Administrative (Wis. Admin.) Code chs. NR 700-799. This guidance explains the steps recommended for assessment of contaminated sediment, evaluation of remedial options and the selection, design, implementation and monitoring of remedial actions. This guidance will clarify closure requirements at sites with contaminated sediments, including continuing obligations, long term stewardship and financial assurance.

Questions regarding this document may be submitted to Carrie Webb at CarrieA.Webb@wisconsin.gov.

Now Available: Publication Brownfields Redevelopment in Wisconsin (RR-933)

Posted on by Christine Sieger

Following a public comment period, the publication Brownfields Redevelopment in Wisconsin (RR-933) is now posted and available online.

The document can be found here. Additional documents and guidance from the Remediation and Redevelopment Program may be found using the search tools available on the publications and forms webpage.

The purpose of the guidance is to provide a definition of brownfield and provide essential steps and resources for successful redevelopment of brownfield properties.

Questions regarding this document may be submitted to Michael Prager at Michael.Prager@wisconsin.gov.

Now Available: Publication Local Government Environmental Liability Exemptions and Responsibilities in Wisconsin (RR-055)

Posted on by Christine Sieger

Following a public comment period, the publication Local Government Environmental Liability Exemptions and Responsibilities in Wisconsin (RR-055) is now posted and available online.
The document can be found here. Additional documents and guidance from the Remediation and Redevelopment Program may be found using the search tools available on the publications and forms webpage.

The purpose of this guidance is to provide basic information about Wisconsin’s local government unit environmental liability exemption (LGU exemption). The method of property acquisition used by an LGU determines if the exemption is acquired. DNR brownfields staff can help LGUs understand the exemption before taking title to a contaminated property and provide liability clarification letters.

Questions regarding this document may be submitted to Michael Prager at Michael.Prager@wisconsin.gov.

Hourly Fee Increase For VPLE Program

Posted on by Christine Sieger

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) increased the hourly fee for the review of technical documents submitted through the Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) program. Wis. Admin. Code § NR 750.07(2) requires the DNR to calculate the hourly billing rate each year.

The new hourly rate is $115, an increase from the previous rate of $110 per hour. The new fee took effect on July 1, 2023.

Many developers, lenders and prospective purchasers of brownfields choose to enroll in the VPLE program versus a traditional cleanup path since the program provides certain liability assurances helpful to investors and future property owners. Additional information regarding the VPLE program is available on the VPLE program webpage.