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This policy option or model program profile relates to the following issue overview(s):
Summary
In Charlottetown, Canada, there once was an old abandoned city public works garage which was located at 211 Water Street. The existing building was considered a brownfield, and the city want to see it redeveloped into something that would provide benefit to the city and the local economy. to achieve this, the city donated the site to Kiwanis Club (developer), who wanted to redevelop the site into apartments to provide affordable rental housing. The developers had risk assessments performed to see the full extent of the pollution and what measures that they would need to take in order to redevelop the brownfield and turn it into something beneficial.
Goal
The goals of this project were set fourth by the government of the town, and they were that:
- The brownfield be redeveloped into something that would be benifical to the town.
- To have such an influence so that the downtown area would also begin to become revitalized.
- To spur the development of other similar developments in the area.
- To promote economic development and recovery.
Cost
As one could imagine, the costs for completing this goal would be high. The city decided to donate the cleaned land to the Kiwanis Club, but the total cost to the city would be $742,700. Here is how the costs were broken down:
- $450,000 for the purchase of three residential properties.
- $202,500 was the appraised value after the cleaning of the propriety.
- $48,300 in demolition fees.
- $41,900 in environmental consulting fees.
The total cost of construction would cost Kiwanis Club $1.5 million, but this would be fully financed through the government and The Royal Back Of Canada.
Implementation
In order for this project to work, the developers would have to implemient a specific set of regulations that were designed by the use of the Atlantic Risk Corrective Action (RBCA) environmental risk assessment that was performed by the developers. These regulations would have to be implemented both during the building process, and after the completion of the building. These regulations are that:
- The contaminated soil within the foot print of the building would have to be removed.
- The building must have been built in a prescribed area, and the building must have no below ground space.
- An impermeable vapor barriers to be implemented below the building to prevent vapor from flowing into the building.
- A ventilation system was to be installed to prevent vapor intrusion.
- The thickness of the concrete foundation was to be increased.
- Any section of the site that is not occupied by a building was to be covered with materials such as asphalt or topsoil to encapsulate the impacted soil.
- There is to be no growing of foods which would be used for human consumption.
Evaluation
As of December 2004, the entire project has been completed. Out of the 23 total units, 22 of them are affordable. A single bedroom is priced at $485, which is 22% lower then comparable units in the same area. it is also believed that the assessed value of the property will increase by $1.4 million.
The city has also benefited from the construction of these apartments. This redevelopment has caused revitalization of the city's downtown area, and several other residential developements been constructed in the area. This will increase the property tax base, and cause in increase in the amount of money that the city will be receive.
This redevelopment process can also provide several lessons that can be used in other similar cases that involve brownfield redevelopment:
- Have a clear understanding of the contamination of the site that is going to be redeveloped. This allows proper planing, and it might allow for better discussion and meeting between parties with interests in the project.
- Use a "scientifically defensible technical tool" to assess the remediation or redevelopment of a brownfield. This model program used the Atlantic RBCA was used.
- Involve third parties in the planning process as early as possible. This can avoid problems that might occur in the future.
- Have public support, and a noticeable and respected person advocating for the project. This model program had the mayor of the city, and the area's parliamentary member in strong support for the project.
- Have good engineering knowledge regarding the project, and a good planning process that includes time, effort, and diligence.
This project was completely successful in all of the goals that were set forth by the government of the town. it only has a new form of housing been established in the town, but the brownfield was successfully developed and the town was starting to show signs of revitalization due to the establishment of this set of apartments.
Status
The status of this project is that it was completed in December of 2004, and the completeion of this brownfield redevelopment project has spurred the development of similar other projects in the same town.
Point of View
Contact
Developer
Mark Belfry
President, Abe Zaken Housing Inc.
Telephone: (902) 368-4219
E-mail: mmbelfry@gov.pe.ca
Environmental Consultant
Peter Joostema
Jacques Whitford Consulting Engineers
Charlottetown, PEI
Telephone: (902) 566-2866
E-mail: pjoostema@jacqueswhitford.com
Municipal Planner
Donna Waddell
City of Charlottetown
Telephone: (902) 629-4121
E-mail: dwaddell@city.charlottetown.pe.ca
Provincial Regulator
Danny McInnis
Prince Edward Island Department of Environment, Energy, and Forestry
Telephone: (902) 368-5057
E-mail: djmcinnis@gov.pe.ca
Bibliography
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