Connecticut Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development

Connecticut Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development

Department of Economic and Community Development Department of Environmental ProtectionConnecticut Brownfields Redevelopment Authority

http://www.ct.gov/dep/site/default.asp

http://www.ct.gov/ecd/site/default.asp

Agenda/Presenters

• Responsible Growth and the State’s Brownfield Programs– Peter Simmons and Brian Dillon, ORD-DECD/OBRD

• CBRA’s Role in State Brownfield Programs – Cynthia Petruzello, CBRA

• Changes in Brownfield Remediation and Redevelopment Programs in the State – Graham J. Stevens and Robert E. Bell, DEP

• Connecticut’s Brownfield Success Stories– DECD, DEP & CBRA



Department of Economic and Community Development

Peter Simmons and Brian DillonOffice of Responsible Development - Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development

In the Business of Building Your Community

www.ctbrownfields.gov


Brownfield Challenges

Brownfields are real estate projects with a

“clean-up” component• More complex• Need Predictability• Smart growth in a small state

ORD - OBRD www.ctbrownfields.gov


Who Do You Call? DECD

DEP

EPA DPH

CDA



http://www.ct.gov/dph

http://www.epa.gov/


To develop and implement strategies that:

Attract and retain business

Revitalize neighborhoods

Ensure quality housing

Foster responsible growth

DECD Mission



DECD Organization


Commissioner

Office of Business and Industry Development

Office of MunicipalDevelopment

Office of ResponsibleDevelopment

Office of HousingFinance and Development

Strategy, PlanningAnd Programs

Projects and Support

Brownfields (OBRD)

Project Management

EnvironmentalPrograms

Regional andMunicipal Projects


DECD Mission


• Discretionary Financial Assistance and Technical Support to support municipalities, businesses and organizations, such as…

• Economic Development• Municipal Development Program, formerly known as “Industrial Parks”• Infrastructure Development• Manufacturer’s Assistance Act (MAA)/CDA Collaboration

• Community Development• HUD Small Cities Program• Urban Act/Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP)

• Housing Development• HOME• FLEX• CHFA Collaboration

• Brownfields Redevelopment


Responsible Growth (RG) is economic, social and environmental development that incorporates land use and resources in ways that enhance the long-term quality of life for current and future generations of Connecticut residents. Responsible growth supports a vibrant and resilient economy, preserves natural resources, and maximizes previous investments in existing infrastructure while preserving distinctive landscapes, historic structures, landmarks, and villages. Brownfields are a big part of responsible growth strategies.

Definitions



• BLUF: the balance between our growth and conservation needs

• The “nutshell”• Focus efforts where previous investment has occurred• Brownfield reuse• In-fill development (allow higher densities land use)• Integrated Transportation: improve public transit• Mixed use development• Regional Collaboration

Responsible Growth



Regional Collaboration Policies and Programs


• Insufficient discretionary state resources to assist

every community with every project• Priority to projects with regional significance and

inter-municipal collaboration. • Encourage participation in EDA’s

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) program.

• State C& D Plan compatibility• Encourage municipalities to plan and develop

multi-town Municipal Development Plans (MDP).

Advancing Regional Cooperation


• Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

• Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) Regional Planning Process

• Adopted by Connecticut to aid communities

Regional Tools


• Guides economic growth of the region. • Helps create jobs. • Supports a more stable and diversified economies. • A plan to improve living conditions of all

participating towns.

mechanism for coordinating the combined resources of

individuals, organizations, local governments and private industry

CEDS

CEDS Strategy


• Eight EDA approved CT CEDS• 134 municipalities covered by one or more CEDS• 33 municipalities not covered by a CEDS• Goal for all municipalities to be covered by a CEDS• CEDS provides a degree of regional autonomy and

prioritization of projects• Communications between CEDS and state is crucial• Economic Development Districts

Connecticut CEDS


• Chapter 132 and 588l of the Connecticut General Statutes

• Previously called the Industrial Parks Program.• Good existing tool for planning and implementing

project specific regional economic development• Greater financial incentives for inter-municipal

collaboration. • Greater financial assistance for targeted investment

community (TIC).• Updated guidelines and policies to be consistent with

responsible growth strategies.

Municipal Development Projects (MDP)

OBRD established at DECD Resulted in Public Act 07-233 Responsible Growth Private Sector plays a key role 08-174 Face of CT Steering Committee &

Preservation of Farmland Streamline brownfield redevelopment in

floodplains Job training

BF Taskforce Reports



Office of BrownfieldRemediation and

Development (within DECD)

Department ofEnvironmental

Protection (DEP)

ConnecticutBrownfield

RedevelopmentAuthority (CBRA)

Department ofPublic Health (DPH)

OBRD Coordination



• July 2009 DECD Reorganization consolidated OBRD with ORD

• OBRD is lead agency (one stop) for assistance - financial & technical

• Return brownfield properties to productive use• Promote responsible growth principles• Strengthen public-private partnerships by

providing solutions, timely resources, and expertise

OBRD



Real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous waste substance, pollutant, or contaminant

US: 600,000 6,000 (1%) Superfund NPL CT: ≈ 13,000 18 Superfund NPL, 3 done

EPA Definition of Brownfields



Sites which may pose a threat to the environment or public health, hazardous waste disposal sites.

Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) Hazardous Waste Disposal Known contamination Business generates hazardous waste

DEP Brownfield Inventory



• Urban Sites Remedial Action Program• Special Contaminated Property Remediation & Insurance Fund• Dry Cleaning Establishment Remediation Fund• EPA RLFs - Hartford & Statewide• EPA Site Assessment Program• Urban & Industrial Site Reinvest. Tax Credit• Municipal Brownfield Pilots• Regional Brownfield Redevelopment Loan Fund• Abandoned Brownfield Program

OBRD Funding Programs



Urban Site Remedial Action Program (USRAP)

Seed Capital: DEP may pursue PRP Available for projects in Distressed Municipalities DECD/DEP Program Investigation, remediation Available funds: $2,000,000 (bond capacity)




Special Contaminated Properties Remediation and Insurance Fund (SCPRIF)

Short-term Loans Municipalities, Businesses, Individuals Investigation, remediation, demolition Available funds: $486,000






Dry Cleaning Establishment Remediation Fund

• Administered by DECD under CGS. 12-263m • Provides up to $300,000 for the remediation of active sites• All funding is provided by the State Dry Cleaning Surcharge• Operators must be current on all state filings DRS, DOL etc.• Program is currently over-subscribed with a backlog of over

30 applications pending review by DECD• DECD is working with DEP to prioritize sites for funding.• DECD expects to have another application round in late

2010

EPA Revolving Loan Fund

Loans/Grants to municipalities and businesses Remediation Available funds

• Hazardous - $833,000

• Petroleum - $35,000




EPA Site Assessment Grants

Sites recommended by Municipalities Investigation prior to cleanup and reuse Available funds

• Hazardous - $200,000

• Petroleum - $200,000




Municipal Pilot Program – $2.25M

• 5 Awards in October 2008(2) Cities with population > 100,000

• Stamford – Harbor Point Project, 80 acre mixed use• Waterbury – Cherry St. Industrial Park, Bender Plumbing expansion

(1) Small City with population 50,000 – 100,000• Norwalk – Norwalk Train Station, mixed use TOD

(1) Town with population under 50,000• Redding – Georgetown Development, 51 acre, mixed use

(1) Selected by the Commissioner any size • Shelton – former Axton Cross site – to be privately developed

• October 2009: $2.25M approved for new funding round • Fifteen applications received – 5 will be chosen• Currently being processed




New for 2009/2010

1. Regional Brownfield Loan Program2. Abandoned Brownfield Clean Up Program3. Changes to Floodplain Management Requirements






Regional Brownfield Loan Program – $2.5M

• Approved by Bond Commission October 30th, 2009• New targeted statewide brownfield redevelopment

loan program• Loans to assist returning brownfield sites to

productive use• Loan proceeds will revolve to provide assistance to

additional sites• Applications accepted on an ongoing basis


Public Act 07-233 • Reuse of mill properties is not a “more intensive use” of the

floodplain• No longer apply for DEP floodplain management exemption• Brings a degree of predictability in revitalizing mill properties.

DECD’s Flood Management Certification for Minor Activities- New Activities

• Environmental Remediation• Housing Rehabilitation Projects• Historic Structure Rehabilitation Projects

Floodplain Management



• Pending $1 million EPA grant application

• Partnership between DECD, WINCOG and NECOG

• Plans to assess up to six brownfield sites within the twenty-one town region

• Anticipated stepping stone for additional collaboration

Northeast Regional Coalition Assessment Program


Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development www.ctbrownfields.gov




OBRD -DECD Contact

•Peter Simmons •Executive Director, Office of Responsible Development

•(860) 270-8149

•Brian Dillon•Program Manager, OBRD, Office of Responsible Development

•(860) 270-8156



15-Minute Break

Connecticut Office of Brownfield Remediation and Development

Documents

environmental development

programsord obrd

definitionsord obrd

decddepepadphcdaord

responsible growth strategies

decd organization ord

growth rg

small stateord obrd