2007 CPEO Brownfields List Archive

From: bobh@np.craigslist.org
Date: 4 May 2007 13:02:22 -0000
Reply: cpeo-brownfields
Subject: [CPEO-BIF] Area-wide BF redevelopment plan in Ontario
 
The Welland Tribune,
Welland, Ontario
Greening the brownfields
May 02, 2007

When travelling through downtown Welland, one is met with a dominating vision.

The empty moonscape which was once home to the city's major employer, Atlas
Specialty Steels, stands out. It stands out because the buildings which once rose
on this property dominated the landscape in their own way for so many decades.

It also stands out for what it represents for the future. Last night, Welland city
council took a step towards reshaping that future by voting on a brownfield
development plan.

We can imagine people's eyes rolling at the mere mention of brownfield
re-development. For many, this is not an issue which grabs the imagination, as do
water meters, taxes or arena development.

However, it could be one of the most important issues facing the city today and
council's attempt to deal with it deserves our attention.

Welland has a disproportionate amount of brownfield lands compared to other
communities, 23 sites comprised of 212 hectares. Much of that land is located near
the banks of the Welland Recreational Canal, natural enough since it was there that
companies set up shop to take advantage of the shipping opportunities presented by
the Welland Canal.

This large conglomeration of properties represents a linked chain, holding Welland
back, much like a choke chain on a pet. As it stands, this land is not generally
attractive to developers and investors. Abutting properties are affected. The
brownfields require cleanup and investment, a costly venture. The estimated cleanup
cost at the Atlas site alone is $26 million. However, once these lands are usable
again, they become very attractive, sitting as they do on prime sites in the heart
of the city and along the canal waterfront. The plan, prepared by RCI Consultants
of Hamilton, cost $120,000 to produce, half of that total coming through a grant
from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Green Fund.

For the entire article, see:

http://www.wellandtribune.ca/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=510459&catname=Editorial&classif=

Bob Hersh
CPEO

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