Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal — Economic Development — January 31 - February 13, 2014 — A
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E conomic D evelopment
tarting in October, and now ramping up after the first of the year, a By Gary Brown, RT Environmental Services, Inc. Significant uptick in Brownfields activity marks the start of 2014 S asbestos and lead paint sur- veyed in advance of a planned sale. instances, strip shopping centers, which have releases of dry cleaning fluids, which impact groundwater. majority of sites however, it is possible to find a way to ad- dress environmental issues, and cost effectively redevelop the site.
Airport, RT is working on a former industrial site, and, some Philadelphia councilmen are wondering if it is better to not sell the Philadelphia Gas Works as natural gas and petroleum export oppor- tunities could make riverfront properties with gas and liquid bulk transfer facilities more valuable. We have seen a significant uptick in new work, since the first of the year. Let’s all hope that this trend continues, through 2014. Gary R. Brown, P.E. is the president of RT Environ- mental Services, Inc. n
s igni f i cant interest in Brownfields s i tes , and, in particu- lar, those in- volving com- mercial de- velopments. Of particular
• In New Jersey, there is new Guidance which can be used when it is not practical to fully clean up groundwater. • In Pittsburgh, the Marcel- lus Shale Gas opportunities and recent court decision on new gas facility zoning requirements are receiving much attention. • In Philadelphia, newly abandoned school buildings along with charter school op- erations are being evaluated by REALTORS. • South of the Philadelphia
As featured in previous RT Reviews, both of these types of sites, so long as they are adequately investigated, can be cleaned up and liability releases obtained, to help fa- cilitate the redevelopment process. All sites, are not the same, however, and some sites have more complicated prob- lems, particularly where there are mixed plumes, or where there is contaminant migra- tion affecting other adjacent residential properties. At the
Also receiving attention, are mixed use redevelopments, including some, in downtown urban areas. Some of these sites receive special liability protection, through redevel- opment agencies, particularly where past heavy industrial issues, are not practical to fully cleanup. Also showing interest: • Apartment properties are receiving interest, but it is typically important to have
Gary Brown
interest, are former service station sites, and in some
The Scranton Plan receives PPL Blue Ribbon Grant
SCRANTON, PA — The Scranton Plan , the indus- trial development marketing affiliate of The Greater Scran- ton Chamber of Commerce was awarded a $6,000 PPL Blue Ribbon Grant in support of their Summer Festival event. The goal of the festival is to introduce corporate executives and real estate professionals from neighboring states to the quality of life and business opportunities available in the greater Scranton area. Through Blue Ribbon Mar- keting Partnerships, PPL provides financial support to local and regional economic development organizations. In other news... Aaron Whitney , facilities manager, at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Com- merce was awarded the IFMA
(International Facility Man- agement Association), Lehigh Valley Chapter, 2013 Facilities Manager of theYear award. The award was presented to Whit- ney at IFMA’s awards ceremony in Allentown in December. n Aaron Whitney accepting award
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