EDC appoints environmental consultant; calls for brownfield projects

EDC appoints environmental consultant; calls for brownfield projects

 

Three Rivers Commercial-News - December 2, 2004. ST. JOSEPH COUNTY - Citizens of St. Joseph County may soon see some of its contaminated and abandoned properties being cleaned up and reused. The St. Joseph County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (SJCBRA) was established in late October to administer funds from a $400,000 assessment grant received from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This week, the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation, who manages the SJCBRA, announced the appointment of Envirologic Technologies, Inc. of Kalamazoo as the consultant who will assist in prioritizing potential projects throughout the county. Once prioritized, these sites will be assessed and brownfield plans written to attract investment and jobs to the county. "At this point, we are issuing a call for projects," said David Allen, Executive Director of the EDC. "Our consultant and assessment funding are in place. We need to identify sites that have significant redevelopment potential." A brownfield is defined as a blighted, contaminated or obsolete property. They are often abandoned industrial sites, but they can also be commercial and residential properties. A request for proposals was sent out by the EDC and five potential environmental consulting firms responded. "It was a difficult decision," Allen said. "All the consultants were very qualified and possessed relevant experience in brownfield remediation. However, Envirologic exhibited strengths such as solid experience in the local area and ample staffing, resources, technology and equipment." Envirologic Technologies will help prioritize the county projects based on future marketability of the site, expected environmental conditions, infrastructure and the potential benefit to the surrounding community. Grant funding will be used for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, which can cost $2,000 to $3,000 and Phase II Assessments, which often range from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the number of sampling locations. The grant dollars will also cover Baseline Environmental Assessments, typically varying in price from $1,500 to $5,000 and work plans, which can cost $2,500 to $5,000. Individuals who have knowledge of county properties that may qualify for the project should contact the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation at either (269) 467-5653 or (269) 467-5663. For more information about the St. Joseph County EDC, their projects and county site information, visit www.sjcedc.com.