Brownfield Descriptions

Carbide Company which manufactured carbon electrodes. National Carbide changed its name to Union Carbide Corporation, Carbon Products Division in 1963 and to UCAR Carbon Company, Inc. in 1989. The subject parcel was part of a larger manufacturing facility.

The National Plant was one of three Niagara Falls area facilities owned and operated by Union Carbide under the name of Niagara Plant. Carbon and graphite manufacturing occurred at each of the three Niagara Plants, and wastes from all three plants were landfilled on the Republic Plant property in the Town of Niagara. The plants manufactured coal-based carbon products that were used by alloy reduction smelters. Products manufactured included specialty machined graphite, carbon liners, cathode blocks and electrodes for furnacing. Waste products from plant operations included carbonaceous waste, primarily dust from dust collectors, fire brick waste, and raw materials packaging.

The National Plant was sold to Niagara Vest Inc. in December of 1986. The plant consisted of approximately 24 acres of land and 550,000 square feet for heavy industrial type buildings. Efforts to market the entire facility were fruitless. The property was subdivided in 1987 and sold to individual businesses in an industrial park type manner. The site has been acquired by the City of Niagara Falls for back taxes. This long-vacant eyesore is being investigated under the City of Niagara Fall's EPA Brownfield Economic Redevelopment Pilot Grant.

Tract II Property: 3001-3201 Highland Avenue

The Tract II Property is a collection of vacant land and abandoned buildings located at the intersection of Highland and Beech Avenues. The 27 acres of land cannot be marketed in its present condition and is not economically feasible to be privately redeveloped. The City of Niagara Falls obtained this property, and any environmental concerns, through foreclosure.

Though vacant, further study of the Tract II property is necessary in order to return this property to private and productive use. Investigation and redevelopment of this site will release 27 acres of vacant lands for light industrial, productive use.

The site was initially occupied by a Moore Business Products factory and warehouse and then occupied by a number of warehousing concerns over the years. One substantial vacant building was demolished on the site in 1992. An underground garage that was attached to the demolished building remains on the site. Through occupying almost an acre of land, removal or renovation of the garage is not anticipated, although sealing and filling the structure will be studied.

Though it is located within New York State's Economic Development Zone, possible environmental contamination has discouraged reuse. Once the extent of environmental uncertainties are determined, the site will be marketed towards light industrial use. A significant buffer area will be maintained on the southern property line, which abuts a primarily residential area. Funding for the Site Investigation has been awarded under New York State's 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act Environmental Project Program.

North Chicago, IL

One brownfield site is located on the shore of Lake Michigan and currently owned by Abbott Laboratories, a major pharmaceutical company. This brownfield is currently vacant and is composed of 54 acres. This brownfield was originally the site of US Steel, which closed down in 1979. This parcel was composed of many buildings, a density that would not be allowed according to today's zoning regulations. It is also a contaminated site with various elements present. The impact this brownfield has on the community is that it is a major parcel in the City that could be developed as an industrial use and add to an already crippled tax base. Almost 70 percent of the land in North Chicago is non-taxable with the Great Lakes Naval Training Center making up about 45-50 percent of that total. Abbott Laboratories is looking to develop this site in the future, but the infrastructure is inadequate with no roads or sewers present.

Another brownfield site in the City of North Chicago is a 10 acre site, located just south of the above-referenced 54 acre site. This brownfield was originally the site for Cyclone Fence, which also closed its door in the 1970s. This parcel was also composed of many buildings, a density that would not be allowed according to today's zoning regulations. It is also a contaminated site with high levels of lead present. Just recently the building was demolished and currently stands vacant. Various entities, including the City of North Chicago and Abbott Laboratories, have included an interest in purchasing the site. But due to the cost of the property and the potential clean up costs, it has remained idle. Again, the impact on the community is the loss of tax dollars.

Norwich, CT

Former Roto Print Site

Site address: 2 Taftville-Occum Road (Rte. 97)

The Roto Print site sits on the banks of the Shetucket River in Norwich, Connecticut. The site was home to a textile mill until a fire destroyed the building in February of 1986, and has been abandoned since that time. The owner owes substantial back taxes on the property and has been willing to turn the property over to the City in lieu of the back taxes, but has not wanted to allow the City access to the property prior to that time. The City, without the means to clean up the property, has not wanted to take it without assessments. Now the City, through the Norwich Community Development Corporation, has received $1.5 million in funding from the State to clean up the property and transform it into a riverfront park. It is anticipated that either the City or the Norwich Community Development Corporation will acquire the land shortly. Additional grant funds have been requested through the US EPA for comprehensive site assessment.

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been involved with the site since the Roto Print building burned in February of 1986. Along with EPA, DEP's Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Program performed a limited assessment of the site in 1997 and again in 1998. The site is 5 acres in size. Of this, approximately 1/2 acre has had some site assessment. The remainder still needs to be assessed.

The Occur neighborhood in the City of Norwich does not have ample open and recreational space for its residents. The site at the former Roto Print plant would be ideal for public open space. It is located along the Shetucket River, providing a spectacular scenic backdrop, and it is ideally located within the neighborhood itself. The proposed reuse plan is to preserve the site as open space and develop a park: The park would have a playground for neighborhood children, a picnic area, handicap access, fishing, and a boat launch. The hope is to fill the site and seed it, but comprehensive environmental assessments must be completed before cleanup can commence.

The Governor awarded $1.5 million to the Norwich Community Development Corporation (the City's economic development arm), which is available for clean-up cost related to the site. The City has plans to construct sidewalks in the vicinity of the proposed park to ensure the safety of the park users and those walking on the adjacent street. The City of Norwich Department of Parks and Recreation also has playground equipment available for the site. It is currently in storage, waiting to be installed. The equipment is valued at approximately $25,000. The Department also has a Community Development Block Grant of $50,000 for improvements to the Occur site. Actual improvements will be dependent on the assessment and cleanup

Brownfield Descriptions

of the site. Finally, the City will eventually acquire the land, which is assessed at $141,910, in lieu of back taxes. Community groups, such as the Kiwanis, have offered to help with the planting, seeding and general renovation of the site once it has been cleaned.

Greenville Industrial District

The Greeneville Industrial District comprises the remaining buildings of those industries that once lined the Shetucket River and its adjacent canal in Greeneville, an area of Norwich, CT. By 1840, three major mills had been established, producing cotton goods and paper and finishing textiles. The portion of the site most recently inhabited by Capehart Corporation is vacant today. The City has received a Brownfields Pilot Grant from the US EPA to perform site assessments on this property, and because of the potential reuse of the site, it has been listed as first priority for the grant funds.

A comprehensive mill study done in 1992 outlines the past use of the structure, provides sketches of the buildings, and proposes possible reuse activities. It was suggested that the Capehar Corporation section of the site could be reused as retail or office space. The total square footage of this section is 258,000.

There are back tax issues related to the site, and the Norwich Community Development Corporation has been working with the owner of the site to agree upon next steps.

We hope that we will learn from the activity related to this site. It could become a model for the City dealing with other brownfield sites in the future.

Ogden, UT

In 1997, the City was awarded a Regional Brownfields Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. City staff has worked together to outline a project that will benefit the City's downtown business district in a number of ways. The Ogden City Central Business District Brownfield's Project (“the Project") is designed to carry out EPA's stated purpose of fostering national brownfield redevelopment models by formulating a plan that will remove the environmental and economic barriers to redevelopment of existing brownfields and reclaim potentially valuable property in the central business district. Ogden has identified approximately 27 city blocks within the central business district and a large piece of railroad property of about the same size as the focus for long-term redevelopment. The Project will be Ogden's first step to reclaiming these potentially valuable properties for the benefit of the community.

of the major bank involved did not understand the nature of the remedial action, even though a State "Consent Order and Agreement" had been forwarded to the bank five months earlier. There was a problem with the bank's counsel as well, who, in trying to protect the bank, almost derailed the deal. In an unusual turn of events, the developer replaced the bank with additional equity since there was no time left to negotiate with the bank's attorney (the developer had already begun construction and needed an initial payment ASAP). Luckily, the Empowerment Zone and Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation were flexible enough to work in this change.

Marion Avenue Site

This four acre lot was a former industrial site that we have targeted for a 25,000 plus square-foot tele-reservations center. This land is within both the Federally-designated West Parkside Empowerment Zone and the State-designated Enterprise Zone. The City of Philadelphia has recently finished acquiring the last portion of the site and is in the process of obtaining a Phase II Environmental Assessment of the property. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is assisting in the funding of a portion of the Phase II. After a State assisted clean-up, if necessary, the developer will acquire the property from the City and construct a new building. This property is important because of its proximity to residences, a local church and a developing industrial park. The main impediments to this project have been the acquisition of the land and the brokering of a partnership between the business, church and community. The main reason this has moved forward is the willingness of a developer to work through the many details with the City and other interested parties.

Pontiac, MI

Kennett Road Landfill Site

This is an approximate 61 acre former City landfill site, located at the Westerly boundary of the City. The landfill has been closed for 30 plus years and is currently undergoing an environmental assessment (Phase I and II).

The subject property was previously being considered as the site of a new state-of-the-art steel mill. However, due to the cost associated with building such a facility on a former landfill site, a greenfield site was identified as the preferred location.

Request for Proposals is being prepared for the development of the subject site into a commercial or industrial use, preferably an industrial park. We have already received inquires

Brownfield Descriptions

from developers interested in the site as a golf course and a supplier industrial park.

Since the property is currently off the tax rolls (owned by the City), the development of this site would result in additional tax base (real & personal property taxes and income tax) to the city, as well as several hundred new jobs for City residents.

USF Holland Trucking Company

During the fall of 1998, USF Holland, Inc. acquired a vacant former 30 acre motor freight terminal on Joslyn Avenue, in the Northern section of the City. Plans are to demolish the existing structures and construct a new truck terminal in 1999. The company estimates that it will invest approximately $15 Million in building, fixtures, equipment and training.

The new terminal is expected to have 80 or more doors and will employ up to 250 employees within three years. This development will also provide jobs for city residents.

This development will improve a site that has remained vacant and deteriorating for the past five or more years and will be a significant improvement to the area.

Richmond, CA

Carlson Boulevard Site

A two acre former railcar refurbishing site located in the center of Richmond. The site is contaminated with lead from past paint removal operations. Although a cleanup was conducted on the site in the 1970s, the remaining lead levels were as high as 4,000 ppm. A group of townhomes was constructed next to the site, and children were frequently found on the site. An effort to fence the property succeeded for only a short time. Recent citizen inquiries to the City Planning Department and County Health Department resulted in a goal to fence the site, to collect additional information on the extent of contamination, to conduct a community meeting, and to remove the high levels of lead. One problem was funding, since the previous owner was bankrupt. After requesting the assistance of the state environmental agency, they determined that the site was a hazard, and agreed to fence the yard and remove contaminated soil, at an estimated cost of about $1 million. The fence has been installed with warning signs, and the clean up is scheduled for February 1999. In addition, the County has met with local residents to encourage them to have their children's blood levels tested.

Brownfield Descriptions

In Progress: Terminal 1

A 14 acre site on San Francisco Bay that was used for the storage and transfer of bulk liquids. Beginning in 1918, until it was closed in the mid-80s, fuels, ethylene glycol and vegetable oil were stored and transferred at the site. The City-owned property is being developed for residential use under an exclusive agreement with a private developer. Under the agreement, the City will remove the storage tanks and piping, and the developer's consultant is preforming the Phase II site investigation and will develop a site cleanup plan.

Completed: Marina Bay

A large, 900 plus acre site adjacent to San Francisco Bay was the site of significant industrial activity, including the Henry Kaiser shipyards that built 727 Liberty ships during WWII. The City purchased the property in 1977 from the Santa Fe Railroad. In the late 1980s the City remediated the site. Using innovative soil remediations and waste minimization and use techniques, the cost of remediation was greatly reduced. In addition, the City was able to recover 85 percent of these cleanup costs from Kaser, Santa Fe Railroad, and the Federal government. A private developer was used to transform the site into a wateroriented community consisting of 2,000 homes, a 1,500-berth marina, several parks and open space, and commercial uses.

Richmond, VA

Cofer Road Site

One of the major issues that needed to be addressed was to determine if the fill contains hazardous material and if degradation of this fill is occurring. An active degradation process that results in constant consolidation limits the surface redevelopment options available for foundation depth, building height, and transportation vehicle load. A non-degrading (stable) fill area might only need vehicular compaction activities for redevelopment purposes, although foundation depth is still limited due to fill contents. Unfortunately, its compaction test are not reliable, therefore indicator tests for degradation are suggested. The measurement of pH and total dissolved solids of collected leachate is a good starting point, as well as surface gas and refuse biochemical methane potential.

A consultant identified five technically feasible approaches to making the landfill area suitable for development: 1) use the landfill area as a parking lot or other similar use not requiring heavy load bearing capacity, 2) install foundation supports/piers to depths below the waste material. 3) dynamic com

paction, 4) site stabilization, and 5) excavation and removal of unsuitable material from the site. Dynamic compaction was recommended as the preferred option to address the site suitability problems presented by the unpermitted landfill.

Based on information from the previous investigations of the site and a site inspection, it was determined to provide remediation alternatives for the unpermitted landfill. Four options were recommended for the unpermitted landfill area at the Cofer Road site: 1) perform heavy dynamic compaction, completely cover the fill, and divert upgradient surface water and groundwater to be collected and treated in a downgradient constructed wetland; 2) modify option 1 by injecting and reinjecting leachate that is produced in the landfill to increase degradation; 3) perform vehicular compaction if the landfill is degraded; 4) completely remove the landfill. It is recommended that a geophysical survey be performed for all four options, to detect possible large objects (such as buried drums). Also recommended is that a radiation survey be performed.

The DED is having ongoing discussions with various companies/interested parties that have expressed an interest in developing the Cofer Road site.

Two potential users had expressed some limited interest in 1997. DED continues to pursue these prospects.

1305 Sherwood Avenue Site

The successful collaboration among the City of Richmond, Virginia, Whitehall-Robins Healthcare, Inc. and the Richmond Brownfields Pilot, created by a $200,000 EPA grant, brought 550 new jobs (including 250 temporary positions) and millions of dollars of investment to northern Richmond. The City gave a 4.5 acre parcel of municipally owned land to Whitehall-Robins, the Richmond area's 25th-largest private employer, so the company may retain, consolidate, and expand its existing pharmaceutical research facility at 1208 Sherwood Avenue.

The City of Richmond owned the adjacent parcel occupied by the Richmond Ambulance Authority, which also housed the City's emergency 911 services. In a cooperative effort, the City made this parcel an integral element of the Whitehall-Robins expansion project, which generated investment in excess of $75 million and created 300 new jobs.

The project consisted of the renovation of Whitehall-Robins' 270,000 square-foot analytical research and development facility, with an additional 50,000 square feet of laboratory and office space on the newly acquired property. The research center includes office, laboratory, and light industrial areas to house