Wisconsin’s Brownfields Initiative

National Governors Association

Coastal Brownfields

Cambridge, MA September 11-12

Michael Prager-Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources pragem@dnr.state.wi.us (608) 261-4927

Wisconsin Coastline?????

Wisconsin’s Brownfields Initiative & Great Lakes Redevelopment

1. Goals

2. Tools and Resources

3. Great Lakes Redevelopment Success Stories

Why are Brownfields a Problem for my community? contribute to neighborhood deterioration limit economic growth and development

in older neighborhoods potential harm to human health and

environment attract vandals and open dumping poor land use / urban sprawl

Return property to productive use & preserve green space

Part of a larger smart growth effort

Complements conservation efforts

Brownfields are opportunities for smart land use planning

Land Recycling

What is the State’s role?

State recognizes brownfields are ultimately a local issue

Remove impediments

Provide tools and assistance

Multi-Agency Approach

What is Wisconsin doing to encourage brownfields cleanup and redevelopment?

Liability Protection Financial Incentives Streamlined

Cleanup Process Technical

Assistance

Brownfields Study Group

30-member group: Seven state agencies Federal government Environmental

consultants Attorneys Environmentalists Local Governments Business & Trade

Associations

Brownfields Study Group

Over 9 month period: Identified 35

brownfields issues of importance.

Developed 80 proposals to address those issues.

Submitted to legislature.

Liability Protection

Lenders Local Governmental Units Parties who conduct Voluntary

Cleanup Neighbors

Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) Process Voluntary investigation and cleanup an

entire property No limits on eligibility:

– local government– responsible party

Provides “finality” to person’s liability Exempt from state cleanup laws

– new purchaser– bank– ANYONE...

FinancialIncentives

State and Federal Tools that can help fund brownfields cleanup and redevelopment

Site Assessment Grant “Jump-Start” brownfields

redevelopment Easy Application Process Eliminates the unknown For Phase I, Phase II, site

investigation, demolition, and removal

For Local Governments $1.7 Million per year

Site Assessment Grant Accomplishments

162 Grants received $4.8 million

Demolition of 198 structures and buildings

54 Phase I’s 90 Phase II’s 72 Site Investigations Removal of 162 USTs Activities on 554 acres of

land

…...AND MORE IN 2004!

Wisconsin Brownfields Initiative Grant Program

– $7 Million annually– Applicant can be either a business,

municipality, or local development corporation

– To promote environmental cleanup and economic development

– Competitive application process– For remediation and redevelopment costs

54 Grants awarded for first 4 rounds $22.2 million awarded and over $73

million requested When completed, projects will result in:

– 687 acres recycled– $365 million increase in tax value– Over 3,950 jobs

Wisconsin Brownfields Initiative Grant Program (cont.)

Tax Incremental Financing

A mechanism for local governments to pay for economic development in blighted areas

Local gov usually borrows $ for project Project costs are recovered through

property taxes from increased property values

Traditional TIFs and env. TIFs

Wisconsin Coastal Management Grants

To enhance and restore coastal resources on Lakes Michigan and Superior

Established under federal Coastal Zone Management Act

Can and has been used for brownfields projects that meet program priorities:

– public/ waterfront access

– to address impacts from development

– wetland protection

– land use planning

Other $$$ Tools…..

Tax Deductions and Tax Credits Low Interest Loans Cancellation of Delinquent Property

Taxes Other State and Federal Grants

Streamlined Cleanup Process

All cleanups (Leaking Tanks, Hazardous Waste, Voluntary Cleanup, etc.) follow one set of regulations

NR 700 - State’s comprehensive cleanup regulations

Brownfields MOA with U.S. EPA Protective of public health + flexible

remedial options

Streamlined Cleanup Process (cont.)

Protective of all the state’s groundwater Risk-based approach for soil

contamination Use of institutional controls to limit

exposure Allow for quicker and less expensive

cleanups

Technical Assistance

Site Specific Technical Reviews Closure Reviews Investigation and Cleanup guidance Liability Clarification Letters Redevelopment Assistance

Successful Great Lakes Example #1:

Kenosha Lakefront Redevelopment

Harborpark

Former Chrysler/ AMC Plant

Kenosha Lakefront Over 40 acres on Lake Michigan Historical manufacturing since early 1900s

– Simmons mattress– American Motors Corp. (AMC)

Vacant since 1986 Petroleum and Chlorinated contamination Historical Fill

Kenosha Lakefront - Former AMC Plant - 1960’s

3rd Ave

5th Ave 55th St

17 Underground Storage Tanks Loading Dock Areas Waste and Product Storage Areas Operation Areas Foundry “Sand” and Dredge Fill Areas Rail Lines Incinerator

Kenosha Lakefrontenvironmental issues

Kenosha Lakefrontenvironmental issues (cont.) City took proactive lead on cleanup, planning, and

development Extensive investigation and remediation Soil excavation Designed to build on landfill Voluntary Cleanup Program Storm water Approach

Future vision of property

How Urban Land Institute assisted

What was the result of this community process

Kenosha Lakefrontcommunity input

Create a new civic and cultural focal point

Generate year-round activity to bring people to the downtown area

Create a family-oriented destination

Create economic development opportunities

Establish a new residential neighborhood

Kenosha Lakefrontcommunity input

• Parks and Marina• Public Museum• Walkways and Bike path• Retail and Offices• Condos and Apartments• Historic Electric Trolley

Kenosha Lakefrontreuse plan

Kenosha Harborpark - Development Plan

City took lead on:

– Market analysis & planning

– Secured financing

– Liability protections

– Solicited developers

Kenosha Lakefrontdevelopment approach

Sources of Financing

TIF District

Other City Funds

WI Dept. of Commerce Funds

WI DNR Funds

Transportation Funds

Federal Assistance

Other

Successful Great Lakes Example #2:

Sheboygan South Pier District/ Blue Harbor Resort

Former C. Reiss Coal Property

Sheboygan - South Pier

Confluence of Sheboygan River and Lake Michigan

Over 100 years of industrial use, coal handling, fuel storage, lumbar yard, fertilizer distribution, more….

50 acre property Near recent harbor redevelopment area

Property built on fill Soil and groundwater contamination;

PAH, lead, arsenic & chloride PCB sediment contamination in river

(Superfund site)

Sheboygan - South Pierenvironmental issues

Erosion and storm water issues Failing wooden sea wall Berm/ fill shore area on lake bed grant

area below high water mark - Army Corps of Engineers approval needed

River impacts - state permits required Design & Planning Principles

Sheboygan - South Pierdevelopment issues

Dune restoration area, eco-park with trails and beach access

Blue Harbor Resort - Private development with: - hotel - water park - conference center

- restaurant - residential condos Retail and Office Development

Sheboygan - South PierMixed Use Plan

SHEBOYGAN SOUTH PIER - CONSTUCTION AERIAL 8/27/03

Sources of Financing

TIF District

WI Dept. of Commerce Funds

WI DNR Funds

Coastal Management Funds

Federal Assistance

Private investment

Conclusion

Coordinate remediation, site design, & shore land improvements

Leverage Private and Public Financing Multiple Program and Agency

Coordination Local, State and Federal Cooperation Win-Win solutions if done right