istered jointly by the Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, awards grants that can be used for brownfields planning and remediation. This support can be crucial for brownfields redevelopment. Community Support As highlighted in the planning section, community support is funda- mental to the success of a brownfields program. In Pulaski, the town’s Economic Development Board -- composed of leaders from through- out the community, and representing businesses, community organiza- tions, local government, and health care – evolved from a community oversight group to an energized brownfields redevelopment steering committee. Their efforts and enthusiasm sparked the beginning of Pulaski’s renaissance. Collaborating with community leaders and economic development of- ficials to support brownfields redevelopment will be helpful in the EPA grant process and will remain vital throughout the program as sites are identified and redevelopment is encouraged. That ongoing support can make larger brownfields redevelopment more attainable as well. In Pulaski, the most alluring brownfields proj- ect was also the largest to date: the Jackson Park Inn and Conference Center. A former three-story building constructed in the early 1920s that lies adjacent to Town Hall and across the street from Jackson Park, the building had various owners and sat vacant for years. The site was identified during a brownfields assessment and targeted for redevelop- ment. The result is a $5,000,000 investment by a local developer that transformed the building into a boutique hotel and conference center that also includes a bar and restaurant with outdoor seating on Peak Creek.
Program Administration Once a community has committed to a brownfields redevelopment program and funding has been secured, the next phase begins. Ongoing program administration is an absolute requirement from the EPA. This administration will ensure that sites are properly identified and help incentivize brownfields redevelopment. Identifying the right team members, internally and externally, can make all the difference in proper program administration. How you leverage initial grant money will play a major factor in any potential future rewards. Those communities that can show progress and success are well positioned for additional three-year grants. Pu- laski’s ongoing revitalization is credited in large part to the continued success in securing brownfields grants. The town has now secured four awards for the highly competitive federal brownfields funding, which along with state brownfields assistance funds, totals over $1,500,000. These funds have facilitated Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments as well as remediation and redevelopment planning for about 25 sites to date. These results aren’t possible without proper program administration. The story of Pulaski is one of hope, revitalization, and a promising fu- ture. The town’s robust brownfields redevelopment program has been a catalyst to transform this community. Projects have included major investments, an international business locating its U.S. operations in the town, and a renovated minor league baseball stadium helping en- liven downtown. Pulaski also has seen projects specifically focused on its citizens. For example, a brownfields site located adjacent to Peak Creek received state Planning and Remediation Grants to facilitate assessments, conceptual planning, demolition, and soils remediation. The current plan is to redevelop the site as a public recreation complex with a skate park and basketball facility connected to downtown via a promenade. Brownfields redevelopment can bring an enhanced economy and quali- ty to life to communities that once thought they were mired in blighted, unproductive and potentially contaminated brownfield sites. The future can be bright, and lessons from Pulaski’s brownfields redevelopment success provide a roadmap to making that future a reality. DEBORAH FLIPPO is Economic Development Program Manager with Draper Aden Associates, a Mid-Atlantic engineering, environmental services, and surveying firm. Based in the firm’s Blacksburg, VA office, she leads efforts on economic development, including brownfields redevelopment. She has worked with regional organizations, cities and towns in Virginia and North Carolina on brownfields redevelopment grants and programs. Deborah can be contacted at dflippo@daa.com. SHAWN UTT has served as Pulaski’s Town Manager for the past seven years and served as the County’s Director of Economic Development for seven years prior. He is keenly aware of the power of “cleaning the slate” using the Brown- fields Grant program funding which has helped to keep the Town of Pulaski’s rejuvenation moving forward. Shawn can be contacted at sutt@pulaskitown.org.
S t r u c t u r a l E n g i n e e r s A x i o m # 7 Structural Engineers Axiom #7
Professional Liability is essential. Overpaying is not. Professional Liabi ity is Essential. Overpaying s Not.
I t pays to have the right profes- sional liability coverage. But you shouldn’t overpay. At Fenner & Esler, we’re more than just brokers. We’re A/E specialists. Delivering the right coverage and value to design firms of all sizes since 1923. With multiple insurance carriers. At Fenner & Esler, we’re more than just brokers. We’re A/E specialists. Delivering the right coverage and value to design firms of all sizes since 1923. With multiple insurance carriers. And a proven track record serving the unique risks of structural engineers. And a proven track record serving the unique risks of structural engineers. It pays to have the right profes- sional liability coverage. But you shouldn’t overpay.
Get a quote—overnight. Visit: www.fenner-esler.com Click “Need a Quote” Call toll-free: 866-PE-PROTEK (866-737-7683 x. 208) Ask for Tim Esler. Email: tesler@fenner-esler.com tim@Insuranc 4Structurals.com ww .insurance4structurals.com Get a quote—overnight. Visit: w.insurance4structurals.com lick “Need a Quote” ll toll-free: 866-PE-PROTEK ( 66-737-7683 x.208) Ask for Tim Esler. Email: tim@Insurance4Structurals.com
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