For Immediate Release
Contact: Tom Thieding, 608-210-6767
tom.thieding@wedc.org
WEDC awards site assessment grants to eight communities
MADISON, Wis., June 26, 2013 – The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation today announced it has awarded Site Assessment Grants to eight Wisconsin communities to assist in environmental assessment and mitigation. The Brownfield Site Assessment Grant Program is a state program for WEDC to grant funds to local governments to perform environmental investigations, demolition of structures, removal of abandoned containers and underground tank systems.
City of Ashland
The City of Ashland has been awarded a $30,675 grant to assist in addressing air quality issues affecting a building located at 118 3rd Street East. The grant will reimburse the city for site investigation activities that will define and identify the source of the air quality issues that have been reported in the building leased by Select Benefit Administrators, likely caused from nearby former industrial properties. The City of Ashland will address the persistent vapor intrusion problem to help retain Select Benefit Administrators in the building and community.
City of Burlington
The City of Burlington has been awarded a $96,000 grant to assist in environmental site work to convert a tract of brownfield land into apartments. The grant will reimburse the city to do an environmental site assessment on a seven-acre site located at 132-200 Bridge Street. The primary focus of the site investigation activities will be soil, groundwater and potential surface water contamination. The city plans to make the site into a residential area consisting of two structures (containing approximately 24 rental apartment units per structure) with sub-grade and surface parking.
City of DePere
The City of DePere has been awarded a $129,000 grant to assist in environmental site work and demolition activities on a site at South Broadway and South Wisconsin Street. The grant will reimburse the city to investigate if the site is contaminated by hazardous substances where some of the soil has been co-mingled with residual contamination related to remediation of a former gas station and dry cleaner located on the property. The grant will also reimburse the city for environmental site work. Midland Commercial Development Corporation will construct a new 16,330 square foot Walgreen’s store on the site as part of the city’s Downtown Master Plan to stabilize the downtown area.
City of Kenosha
The City of Kenosha has been awarded a $150,000 grant to assist in environmental site work to convert a tract of formerly industrial land into residential use. The grant will reimburse the city for site investigation and partial demolition of a 1.55 acre site owned by BEAR Development to identify potential environmental hazards. The site is located at 5821 5th Avenue and 5825 4th Avenue. The City of Kenosha is working with BEAR Development to rehabilitate the two parcels for residential use.
City of Oshkosh
The City of Oshkosh has been awarded a $149,840 grant to assist in environmental site work to convert a 27 acre parcel into a mixture of residential, commercial and recreational uses. The grant will reimburse the city for demolition of structures and environmental site investigation for soil and groundwater contamination. The 27 acre project site is located at the former Morgan Door/Jeld-Wen manufacturing site that closed in 2009. The city is partnering with Six Rivers Investment to develop the site into multifamily apartment buildings as well as retail commercial space and a river walk along the Fox River.
City of Racine
The City of Racine has been awarded a $119,719 grant to assist in the improvement of the site of the former Racine Steel Castings. The grant will reimburse the city for site investigation, underground storage tank removal and demolition work on the 10.7 acre site. The city acquired the property in January of this year and plans to remediate the site and create up to four industrial parcels.
City of Wauwatosa
The City of Wauwatosa has been awarded a $62,500 grant to assist in environmental site investigation of an 89 acre site on Watertown Plank Road. The grant will reimburse the city for completion of a geophysical survey, soil borings and groundwater testing. Environmental investigation will identify the degree and extent of contamination that may have accumulated on the site over the years. The Site is being developed by the UWM Real Estate Foundation. The conceptual redevelopment plans call for the conversion of the site into 988,000 square feet of academic, commercial/office, and retail space, 190 residential units, plus 11.5 acres of habitat area. The first phase of redevelopment is currently underway with the construction of the UW-Milwaukee lnnovation Accelerator.
City of West Allis
The City of West Allis has been awarded a $127,000 grant to assist in environmental site work to convert a tract of brownfield land into commercial business property. The grant will reimburse the city for site assessment activities, demolition and asbestos removal on 4.7 acres located at 11406 W. Rogers Street. The site has been vacant since 2008 and was acquired by West Allis CDA in December 2012. The site will be redeveloped in conjunction with an adjacent parcel by a confidential business prospect.
About Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing Wisconsin’s business climate. WEDC nurtures business growth and job creation by providing resources, technical support and financial assistance to companies, partners and communities in Wisconsin. WEDC has four focus areas: business and industry development, economic and community development, entrepreneurship and innovation and international business development. Together with more than 600 regional and local business development partners, it represents a highly responsive and coordinated network. Visit www.inwisconsin.com or follow WEDC on Twitter @_InWisconsin to learn more.
