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Site Revitalization Program To further economic development opportunities in Everett, new funding is now available for revitalization of underutilized properties. Through a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Brownfield Community- Wide Assessment Grant, funds will be available through summer 2016 for interested parties to complete Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), hazardous building materials surveys, Cleanup Action Plans, and a variety of site-specific reuse planning activities on their properties. The City of Everett is currently soliciting interest from property owners, businesses and developers to take advantage of this funding opportunity. Frequently Asked Questions What is a brownfield? Brownfields are properties whose reuse is complicated by an actual or potential hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Industrial sites or former auto repair facilities, gas stations, warehouses, and often become brownfields. Many commercial and residential buildings with little or no visible contamination may also qualify due to building materials or past use. Do I own a brownfield? Ask yourself – • Is my land idle, vacant, or less productive than it ought to be? • Are concerns about historic use or environmental contamination contributing to the problem? If you answered yes to both questions, then you might own a brownfield. What can grant funds be used for? For eligible, priority sites, ESAs, hazardous materials surveys, and a wide variety of cleanup/reuse planning can be conducted at no cost to the property owner. Benefits of Brownfield Redevelopment Property owners who cleanup and reuse brownfields provide benefits to themselves and their surrounding communities: • Removing unknowns regarding site conditions that might hold up a sale or redevelopment. • Increasing return from the property by making it more valuable and marketable. • Contributing to economic prosperity and environmental restoration in the community. • Making neighborhoods safer and healthier. • Avoiding actions by regulatory agencies that may impose penalties and costly cleanups. • Reducing the potential that adjacent properties could be impacting their property vice versa). • Reducing the potential need to address liabilities associated with the property in financial statements and SEC filings. The assessment, cleanup and revitalization of vacant and underutilized sites will support several established community goals. We appreciate your support and look forward to your involvement in this transformational project! Which sites are eligible for funding? Generally, a property must be underused, potentially impacted and meet the following criteria: • Site exhibits high potential for redevelopment and/or other community benefit opportunities • Current Property owner did not cause the contamination • Sites may not be listed on EPA’s “Superfund” list or targeted for any federal or state enforcement action May 2015 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 Site Revitalization Program How can this assistance enhance the value of my property? Property values are often affected by uncertainty regarding site history and the financial and legal risks of potential environmental impacts. Site assessment allows property owners to quantify the amount of contamination on a property – if any. For properties with little to no contamination, this knowledge may increase marketability. For sites with significant contamination, property owners can realize increased value through cleanup, tax incentives, and reduced liabilities. Will environmental assessment affect the value of my property? No, environmental assessment will quantify the amount of contamination (if any), but assessment itself does not affect property value or create stigma. Will environmental assessment trigger a requirement that I take action? The program is voluntary. Information collected during environmental assessment will not be reviewed by the US EPA. In certain cases assessment results may trigger a reporting requirement with the WA Dept. of Ecology. Will I have control over the work done through this program? You will have the right to stop participation in the program at various phases of the assessment process. You will be asked to authorize property access by the City’s environmental consultant, who will perform all work at the direction of the City. You will receive final reports following site assessment. Phase II Environmental Site Assessments An intrusive study where actual physical environmental samples are collected and analyzed to characterize the type, distribution and extent of substances in the environment (if present). Purpose: • Evaluate the findings of a Phase I ESA. • Determine whether a release has occurred. • Delineate the extent of contamination. • Baseline environmental conditions. • Obtain regulatory closure. Estimated Value: $20,000 Typical Process: 2-3 Months For more information, contact: Jim Hanson, Senior Planner - City of Everett Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] Email: [EMAIL REDACTED] or Planning Department Office [PHONE REDACTED] Phase I Environmental Site Assessments Research study intended to gather information to assess the environmental condition of the property and identify potential areas where substances may have been released. Purpose: • Liability protection under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). • Support go/no go decisions to acquire property. • Assess the potential for hazardous or other substances to have impacted the property. Estimated Value: $5,000 Estimated Time to Complete: 1-2 Months