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 _______________________________________________ Brownfields mailing list Brownfields@list.cpeo.org http://www.cpeo.org/mailman/listinfo/brownfields | |
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