1 st Annual Southeast Brownfield Conference Orlando, Florida. October 2014

Transcription

1 1 st Annual Southeast Brownfield Conference Orlando, Florida October

2 Introduction 2 Barbara Alfano Brownfields Coordinator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4, Atlanta GA 26 years of Superfund project and Brownfields grant experience in Florida EPA Brownfields Project Officer on the first Region 4 pilot grants in 1995 USF Graduate Go Bulls! 2

3 What are Brownfields? 3 real property, the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Blighted, abandoned, derelict property Contaminated property Property that everyone believes is contaminated Fear of environmental liability 3

4 What are Brownfields? 4 An economic engine A jobs magnet A new community gateway A public gathering spot 4

5 Brownfield Grants 5 Assessment Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Area-Wide Planning 5

6 What Environmental Situations can be Addressed? 6 Hazardous Substances Petroleum Contamination Asbestos & Lead Paint are eligible Controlled Substances (e.g., Meth labs) Mine-Scarred Lands Other environmental contaminants 6

7 EPA s Brownfield Grant Investments 7 Since 1995, Assess more than 20,449 properties. Leverage more than $20.1 billion in Brownfields funding from the private and public sectors. Generate more than 90,017 jobs. Make more than 39,906 acres ready for reuse. 7

8 Early and Continued Community Engagement 8 Education Identify concerns Seek Input Develop a Vision Meetings Social Media Volunteer events Markets or festivals 8

9 Take a Long View 9 What is the end use? Don t Have an End Use Now? Consider An Interim Use (i.e. Community Gardens) 9

10 Go Green! 10 Don t demolish, deconstruct and recycle Sustainable stormwater management Energy efficient building design Renewable Energy 10

11 Go Green! Example of Brownfields Success A 7.5 acre former abandoned truck site in Atlanta, Georgia $200,000 Cleanup Grant $107,214 for hazardous substances $92,786 for petroleum Developed into a soccer complex Redevelopment helps address concerns about asthma and obesity, two important public health considerations for youth in this minority 11

12 Go Green! Example of Brownfields Success 1212

13 Example of Brownfields Success The Atlanta BeltLine 13 By definition, almost every property along the Atlanta BeltLine is a Brownfields due to the various historical uses around the corridor and the contaminants associated with spraying herbicides along railroad tracks 13

14 The Atlanta BeltLine acres of the Beltline has been enrolled into Georgia EPD s Brownfields Program Limited Liability to prospective purchasers Access to technical resources Tax incentives Cleanup of more than 40 acres 2013 EPA Cleanup Grants totaling $600K Leveraged >$850K of City s EPA Brownfield Revolving Loan Funds and $60K of Assessment Grant Funds 14

15 The Atlanta BeltLine Historic Fourth Ward Park Winner of the 2014 Brownfield Renewal Award for Sustainability Impact - Awarded by Brownfield Renewal 1515

16 The Atlanta BeltLine Historic Fourth Ward Park 16 Opened in 2011, as a result of partnerships between the Atlanta BeltLine, the City of Atlanta, the Trust for Public Land, and the neighboring community of business and property owners More than 12 acres of soil was cleaned up Concrete that contributed to stormwater drainage issues was ripped up and reused in the park Now a 17-acre greenspace that hosts concerts, weddings, and other events A two-acre lake is the centerpiece of the park which also acts as stormwater detention area 16

17 The Atlanta BeltLine More Recognition In May 2014, the International Real Estate Federation recognized the Atlanta BeltLine as the best environmental rehabilitation project in the world Flood protection and stormwater overflow solutions are disguised as a park Eastside Trail transformed a 2.25 mile abandoned heavy freight rail corridor into a public recreation oasis Atlanta s first public skatepark alongside the BeltLine offers world-class skateboard amenities as well as a playground and multi-use athletic field 17 17

18 Asheville, North Carolina The first hotel building on the property constructed out of wood condemned in 1929 as fire hazard ordered to be torn down by the State Fire Insurance Commissioner The current Glen Rock Hotel, built in 1930, was in operation until the 1960s After becoming run down, in 1970 the building was operated as a food manufacturing/ canning business until 2006 when it was sold to Mountain Housing Opportunities, Inc. 18

19 Glen Rock Depot 19 Through the EPA Brownfields Targeted Brownfields Assessment assistance, additional funding was leveraged Land-of-Sky Regional Council provided RLF Subgrant of $25,000 For lead paint and asbestos removal Mountain Housing Opportunities provided $3,070,874 in redevelopment funds Green Opportunities: Job Training Program At risk youth, trained through the Green Opportunities Job Training program, were hired 19 by the asbestos contractor to work on the project

20 Glen Rock Depot 20 Conversion of the building into a mixed-use facility was part of a larger development called the Glen Rock Depot Renovation costs were estimated to be approximately $3M The US Green Building Council awarded the Glen Rock Depot LEED Gold Certification Green building practices during construction and design Solar thermal water heating and an on site recycling center The Glen Rock Apartments has revitalized the surrounding area known as the River Arts District Street level access to ground floor businesses: Restaurant Medical Office Hair salon Shops 20

21 Memphis, Tennessee First Tee Project 21

22 More Stories on our Website Reusing Cleaned Up Petroleum Sites: Protecting Public Health

23 Groundwork Trust Network of Community Based Organizations that engage community members to revitalize liabilities into assets Twenty local Trusts Advances Equity and Environmental Justice Recently Developed Local Groundwork Trusts in the Southeast In October 2013, 2 of the 3 communities selected competitively were in Region 4 - Atlanta, GA - Jacksonville, FL 23 23

24 EPA Partner - The Groundwork Trust Groundwork s network-wide Brownfields programs Trails & Greenways Clustered brownfields can become green corridors running through and connecting distressed neighborhoods, providing greater access to parks, waterways, and nature within the built environment. Parks & Playgrounds Pivotal projects for turning neighborhoods around, especially when planned collaboratively with residents living adjacent to the land in question Community Gardens & Tree Nurseries Reuse can be done in ways that assure food security and a higher-quality built environment in struggling communities 24 24

25 For More Information 25 Barbara Alfano Brownfields Coordinator U.S. EPA Region 4 61 Forsyth St., Atlanta GA alfano.barbara@epa.gov QUESTIONS? EPA s Website: 25