BROWNFIELD MAP…..………….1
2013 HIGHLIGHTS..….…….….. 2
BROWNFIELD AGREEMENTS ...... 4
BROWNFIELD APPLICATIONS …. 4
PRIOR YEARS ………..……..….5
OUTREACH….………..……..….7
COMMUNITY SUCCESS.……..….8
SUSTAINABLE REUSE OF BROWNFIELD PROPERTIES
Brownfield 2013 Annual Report
http://www.brownfields.ms
Mississippi Brownfield Program 2013 Annual Report Statutory Requirement Section 49-35-27 of the Mississippi Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup and Redevelopment Act requires that “the department shall report to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Senate Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources Committee, and the Chairman of the House Conservation and Water Resources Committee on the status of the implementation of the Mississippi Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup and Redevelopment Program. The report shall include a list of all brownfield parties and brownfield agreement sites participating in the program, a map showing the locations of sites, a brief description of the brownfield agreement for each site, including the location of the site, the agreement implementation status of each site and to the extent practicable, information on the redevelopment or reuse of each site. The report annually shall highlight those sites included in the Program since the last annual report.�
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Since the Brownfield Program was created in 1998, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has been able to put three hundred and seventy-nine (379) acres back into productive use (i.e., “Ready for Reuse”). In 2002, MDEQ was instrumental in the redevelopment of the former DeSoto County School Bus Lot into a two million ($2M) dollar commercial development along Commerce Street in Hernando. In 2006, eighty-seven thousand ($87,000) dollars in MDEQ services to the Tupelo Redevelopment Authority was able to help leverage over forty-four million ($44M) dollars in public and private investment to transform a former dry cleaner and fairground into Phoenix Award winning “Fair Park”. In 2011, MDEQ’s Brownfield Agreement paved the way for Elevance to commit to an investment of more than two hundred and twenty-five million ($225M) dollars and the creation of one hundred and sixty five (165) full-time jobs in Natchez. In 2013, MDEQ experienced continued interest in the Brownfield Program. This interest has been attributed to the efforts to educate parties about risk-based remediation and liability protection, as well as effective outreach. In 2013, MDEQ reached one (1) new Brownfield Agreement, and the total number of Brownfield Agreements obtained to date stands at twenty-four (24). In 2013, MDEQ received two (2) new applications. As required by the Brownfield Law, the Brownfield Agreements reached in 2013 and the newest applicants are highlighted in this annual report.
2013 HIGHLIGHTS On November 21, 2002, the Commission reached a Brownfield Agreement (#4511-02) with Wolverine Tube, Inc. for the remediation of the former Wolverine facility in Greenville, Mississippi. On January 30, 2013, and in accordance with Section 702 of the MDEQ Final Brownfield Regulations – Subpart I, dated February 28, 2002, Wolverine Tube sent a petition to the Commission to make a determination as to the completion of Brownfield Agreement and as to the issuance of a “no further action” letter by the Executive Director. The staff reviewed the petition, conducted the required inspection of the Brownfield Agreement Site, and recommended that the Commission issue an order in accordance with the Brownfield Regulations concluding that Whirlpool Corporation has completed Brownfield Agreement #4511-02. During its regularly scheduled Commission Meeting in April 2013, the Commission issued Order #6247-03 concluding that Wolverine Tube Inc. has completed Brownfield Agreement #4511-02 and that the Notice of Brownfield Agreement Site be cancelled. Mississippi Receives Two National Awards at 2013 Brownfield Conference The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has joined a distinguished group of entities who can proudly say they have won a Phoenix Award for excellence in brownfield redevelopment. MDEQ, CSX Transportation, Inc. (CSXT), the General Services Administration (GSA), and ARCADIS were recognized at an awards ceremony in May at the National Phoenix Awards Ceremony National Brownfields Conference Brownfield Conference in Atlanta. These collaborative Atlanta, GA – May 16, 2013 partnerships have been cited as among the best of the best in the Southeast in 2011 and 2012 when it comes to remediating and transforming brownfield sites into significant community assets. The National Brownfield Conference is Page 2 of 8
the largest event in the nation that focuses on environmental revitalization and economic redevelopment. The Phoenix Awards are awarded by a nonprofit entity, The Phoenix Awards Institute, Inc., to recognize successful revitalization projects, honor project participants, and encourage project participants to share their knowledge/techniques so these model projects can be replicated across the country. This marks the third time that MDEQ has been recognized nationally for its brownfield redevelopment efforts. In 2008, MDEQ and the City of Tupelo won the Phoenix Award for the Tupelo Fairgrounds project that involved the redevelopment of the old fairgrounds and a former dry cleaner into Tupelo Fairpark. Mississippi was the only State to receive two (2) Phoenix Awards during the Ceremony. Since 1992, CSXT has spent nearly $20 million on the environmental investigation and cleanup of the former Gautier Oil Site. The project is a successful model for low impact, community friendly remediation/restoration of a former wood treating facility that would typically include abundant engineered structures, systems, and ongoing remediation. The acceptance and implementation of practical, low maintenance remedial components has resulted in reestablishing near natural estuarine environs along the Pascagoula River, the only unimpeded (no Figure 1 - CSX Gautier Oil Cleanup & dams) river that flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Restoration - 2011 Phoenix Award Winner The Site, now a healthy and vibrant green space, has been recognized on state and national levels. Most recently the Site was certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council under its Wildlife at Work certification program in November 2012. The Site restoration efforts have also been recognized by multiple professional organizations and societies for the innovative restoration of estuarine habitats. The redevelopment and construction of the Jackson Federal Courthouse over two city blocks located in the Central Business District of Jackson Mississippi had a total project cost was approximately $150M of which total environmental cost was approximately $1.5M. The GSA has transformed vacant lots, a former dry cleaner, former vehicle maintenance facility into a state of the art, energy efficient courthouse to replace the former Eastland Federal Courthouse. The Jackson Federal Courthouse was designed with a number of sustainable features. The facility is expected to reduce potable Figure 2 – Jackson Federal Courthouse – 2012 Phoenix Award water consumption by as much as 50%. Winner Construction involved the use of over 14% recycled content materials, resulting in over 75% reduction of construction waste being diverted to a landfill. The courtroom doors were made from salvaged lumber from site demolition and were part of the Art and Architecture Program. Page 3 of 8
2013 BROWNFIELD AGREEMENT SITES Mississippi School for the Blind Brownfield Agreement Site Brownfield Agreement Reached – October 24, 2013 Brownfield Party: The District Land Development Company, LLC Jackson, MS One additional Brownfield Agreement was reached in 2013. The Commission and The District Land Development Company (“The District”) reached a Brownfield Agreement regarding the remediation of brownfield property located at the former Mississippi School for the Blind in Jackson, Mississippi. Prior to demolition of the existing buildings onsite, The District agreed to remove asbestos and property recycle or dispose of abandoned transformers at the site. The proposed use of the Site after completion of all remediation will be the District at Eastover mixed-use development. The project’s first phase is expected to include a Residence Inn by Marriott hotel and as much as 500,000 sq. feet of retail, office space and residential lofts. The project is expected to create 600 jobs and involve a $150 million dollar investment in the capitol city.
BROWNFIELD APPLICATIONS RECEIVED IN 2013 The Cooley Building/The Mill at MSU Proposed Brownfield Agreement Site Brownfield Party: Cooley Center Hotel, LLC Starkville, MS In August 2013, MDEQ received a Brownfield Application for the cleanup and renovation of the Cooley Building in Starkville. This planned mixed use development will include a Conference Center, Marriott Courtyard Hotel, and a parking garage just off the campus of Mississippi State University.
Figure 3 - The District at Eastover Brownfield Project
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BROWNFIELD AGREEMENT SITES - Executed prior to 2013 City Center Brownfield Agreement Site Brownfield Party: City of Ridgeland Colle Towing Company Brownfield Agreement Site Brownfield Party: The Colle Company, Inc. Gautier Oil Brownfield Agreement Site (Gautier) Brownfield Party: CSX Transportation, Inc. Former Arizona Chemical Brownfield Agreement Site (Picayune) Brownfield Parties: Stockstill Brothers Investments, LLC / City of Picayune Amoco/Afta Brownfield Agreement Site (Natchez) Brownfield Party: Delta Biofuels, Inc. Whirlpool Corporation Brownfield Agreement Site (Oxford) Brownfield Party: Whirlpool Corporation c/o Robert Karwowski Mound Plantation – Red Barn Brownfield Agreement Site (Rolling Fork) Brownfield Party: Mound Plantation, LP c/o Bernard Deaton Pilot Travel Center Brownfield Agreement Site (Richland) Brownfield Agreement Brownfield Party: Empire Truck Sales of Louisiana, LLC Richland, MS Quaker State Brownfield Agreement Site (Vicksburg) Brownfield Parties: Pennzoil-Quaker State Company dba SOPUS Products and the Warren County Board of Supervisors Swifty Serve #542 Brownfield Agreement Site (Moss Point) Brownfield Party: City of Moss Point Moss Point, MS One Hour Cleaners Brownfield Agreement Site (Starkville) Brownfield Party: Statewide Federal Credit Union Flowood, MS West Manufacturers Blvd. Spec Building (Brookhaven) Brownfield Party: Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber & IDF Brookhaven, MS
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Tupelo Fairgrounds/Long’s Laundry Brownfield Party: Tupelo Redevelopment Agency Tupelo, MS Copiah County MECO Property Brownfield Agreement Site (Gallman) Brownfield Party: Copiah County Economic Development District Hazlehurst, MS Emerson Appliance Motors Division Facility Brownfield Agreement Site (Oxford) Brownfield Party: Emerson St. Louis, MO W.R. Grace Brownfield Agreement Site (Corinth) Brownfield Party: Intex Plastics Corporation Long Beach, CA National Picture and Frame Brownfield Agreement Site (Greenwood) Brownfield Party: Uniek, Inc. Greenwood, MS Nashville-Ferry Road Brownfield Agreement Site (Columbus) Brownfield Party: Glenn Springs Holdings, Inc. Columbus, MS Intex Plastics East Tank Farm Brownfield Agreement Site (Corinth) Brownfield Parties: Intex Plastics Corporation Mississippi Polymers Long Beach, CA Corinth, MS Wolverine Tube Brownfield Agreement Site (Greenville) Brownfield Party: Wolverine Tube, Inc. DeSoto Co. School Bus Lot Brownfield Agreement Site (Hernando) Brownfield Parties: DeSoto County, MS Fidelity Development, LLC Hernando, MS Hernando, MS Fabra Care Master Dry Cleaners Brownfield Agreement Site (Jackson) Brownfield Party: Westland Plaza Associates, Inc. Baton Rouge, LA
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Outreach Each year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency solicits proposals for communities interested in receiving grant funding for brownfield redevelopment activities. In 2012, communities in 39 states shared $69.3 million in EPA Brownfield grants to help clean up, revitalize, and sustainably reuse contaminated properties, turning them from problem properties to productive community use. The grants, awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, provide funding to eligible entities through brownfield assessment, revolving loan fund, and cleanup grants.
City Leaders ask questions about EPA brownfield grants at annual MML Conference
Historically, Mississippi communities have been unsuccessful in securing these competitive EPA Brownfield Grants. In 2010, no Mississippi communities were awarded an EPA Brownfield Grant. In 2009, only one (1) community received a grant (Hattiesburg). Recognizing the competitive nature of the national grant writing field, coupled with a reduction in its own EPA Brownfield grant, MDEQ stepped up its outreach efforts to help communities write better grant proposals. In cooperation with the Mississippi Municipal League (MML) and EPA Region 4, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) for the past two years has been holding an “Advanced Brownfield Grant Writing Workshop” at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center during the annual MML Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi each year. The purpose of the Advanced Workshop is to provide communities in Mississippi that have been unsuccessful in receiving an EPA Brownfield Grant an opportunity to receive feedback on their grant proposals from technical experts who have been successful in National – .366 (240/654) securing Brownfield Grants. One goal of the advanced workshop is to identify weaknesses that Region 4 - .177 (20/113) should be eliminated and strengths that should be highlighted. In 2013, the six (6) communities which were successful in competing for a Brownfield Grant were Greenville, Holly Springs, MS 2013 - .600 (6/10) Moss Point, Pascagoula, Starkville, and West Point. In 2012, three (3) grants were awarded to MS 2012 - .200 (3/15) Hernando, Columbus, and McComb. The winners in 2011 (i.e., Quitman and Gulfport) will be wrapping up their three (3) year grant cycle in 2014. MS 2011 - .167 (2/12) MDEQ believes that the enhanced outreach efforts have shown positive results with a continued MS 2010 - .000 (0/8) increase in Brownfield Grant Success Rate (see chart to the right). In addition, a fair number of MS 2009 - .067 (1/15) new grantees have applied this year in hopes of receiving an EPA Brownfield Grant this year.
Brownfield Grant Success Rate
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Among the communities applying for a 2014 Brownfield Grant are: 1) Biloxi 2) Canton 3) Columbia 4) Corinth 5) Gautier 6) Greenwood 7) Hancock County 8) Laurel 9) Monroe County 10) Natchez 11) Shuqualak 12) Vicksburg
EPA Brownfield Grant Winners 2013 Greenville Holly Springs Moss Point Pascagoula
In 2013, EPA received 654 proposals, requesting over $244M from across the nation. Because this is a highly competitive grant program, EPA awarded only 240 grants totaling $62.5M. For 2013, Mississippi communities beat the national average (.366) and beat the Regional average (.177) with a whopping .600 success rate. Mississippi’s success rate has steadily climbed over the past several years and can be attributed to the collaborative outreach efforts of MDEQ, MML, and the brownfield consulting industry.
Starkville West Point
2012 Columbus Hernando McComb
2011 Gulfport Quitman
2010 None
2009 Hattiesburg
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