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Palmyra Receives Grant to Fund Remedial Work at Brownfield
Development Area
Funding Available for Municipal and Private Grants and Loans
(04/51) Palmyra - New
Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner
Bradley M. Campbell today presented a $684,767 grant to
the Borough of Palmyra to spur brownfield redevelopment
at 40 land parcels along Route 73. Commissioner Campbell
designated the properties as part of a Brownfield Development
Area in September to assist the borough in its plans to
reuse the contaminated land.
"Our partnership with Palmyra in creating a Brownfield
Development Area is accelerating the rebirth of sites like
this old drive-in," said Commissioner Campbell. "The
grant funding established by Governor McGreevey, coupled
with common-sense reforms of the cleanup process, will transform
abandoned and blighted sites like these into engines of
economic growth."
"The HDSRF program has become a vital municipal tool
for economic development in New Jersey," said Caren
S. Franzini, New Jersey Economic Development Authority Chief
Executive Officer (NJEDA). "The Palmyra redevelopment
project is a wonderful example of how the state can provide
the necessary resources to bring new life to contaminated,
underutilized sites. By taking steps to reclaim Brownfield
Development Areas, Palmyra is contributing to a cleaner
environment, while creating additional opportunities for
job creation and economic growth."
Last month, Governor James E. McGreevey made available
an additional $45.8 million for brownfield redevelopment
grants and loans through the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation
Fund (HDSRF) program when he signed Assembly Bill 2343 into
law. The measure also provides an ongoing, stable source
of $15 million to $20 million a year for future brownfield
site investments-all without creating any new taxes.
DEP and the NJEDA administer the program to provide grants
and low-interest loans to businesses, municipalities and
homeowners for various remedial activities. Municipalities
may apply for grants and loans up to $2 million per year
for investigation and cleanup. Private parties required
to perform remedial activities and individuals who want
to conduct such actions voluntarily may qualify for loans
up to $1 million per year if they are unable to obtain private
funding.
"The HDSRF grant is the largest and most significant
grant the Borough of Palmyra has ever received," said
Palmyra Mayor John Gural. "Without these funds and
other critical assistance from Commissioner Campbell and
the DEP, and from NJEDA CEO Caren Franzini, returning the
190-acre brownfields site on Route 73 to productive use
would not be possible. This grant represents a critical
step in Palmyra's efforts to redevelop this area, which
serves as a major gateway from Pennsylvania into our community,
Burlington County and the State of New Jersey."
The Palmyra Brownfield Development Area along Route 73
accounts for approximately 190 acres that represent more
than 15 percent of the borough's total land area. It is
located adjacent to the 350-acre Palmyra Cove Nature Park
along the Delaware River. The borough is discussing a mixed
use for the Brownfield Development Area's properties that
may include commercial, retail and recreational with a planned
greenway along Route 73 and a greenbelt buffer along the
boundary with the Palmyra Cove Nature Park and the Pennsauken
Creek. Palmyra will use the grant to conduct soil and ground
water testing at properties in the Brownfield Development
Area.
Former and current uses of the properties include deposition
of dredge spoils, a private landfill, a private airport,
a sand and gravel mining operation, a munitions test area
for the Philadelphia-based Frankford arsenal, gasoline service
stations, used car dealerships, car repair shops and five
residential units.
Across New Jersey, there are an estimated 10,000 brownfield
sites-abandoned or underused industrial areas. Every acre
of brownfields redevelopment spares up to 4.5 acres of open
space from future development. Governor McGreevey has shown
his commitment to bring new life to brownfield sites in
other ways, including the signing of legislation in May
2003 to dedicate $40 million to the HDSRF when it was running
out of money.
Another effort for brownfields is the creation of the
Cleanup Star program, which will let qualified environmental
consultants oversee the cleanup of less contaminated sites.
The program will speed up the process and free up DEP to
take on more brownfield sites. The first 200 Cleanup Star
applicants were "graduated" in February. Due to
the demand, DEP has scheduled another enrollment period
this month.
DEP's Brownfield Development Area program works with selected
communities impacted by multiple brownfield sites to coordinate
remediation and reuse plans. Under this designation, all
brownfield sites within a development area are assigned
a single case manager, who coordinates with partnering state
agencies to direct targeted technical and financial assistance
to stimulate reuse. The plans are developed under the direction
of a local steering committee with support from DEP.
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