United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of the Administrator
Washington, DC 20460
Mail Code 1807
SEPA Project XL Progress Report
Atlantic Steel Redevelopment
EPA 100-R-00-026
January 2001
www.epa.gov/reinvent
i C
*..
In 1995, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) embarked on a series of innova-
tive initiatives in an effort to test new ways to achieve greater public health and environmental
protection at a more reasonable cost. Through Proj ect XL, which stands for excellence and
Leadership, EPA enters into specific proj ect agreements with public or private sector spon-
sors to test regulatory, policy, and procedural alternatives that will produce data and experi-
ences to help the Agency make improvements in the current system of environmental protec-
tion. The goal of Proj ect XL is to implement 50 proj ects that will test ways of producing
superior environmental performance with improved economic efficiencies, while increasing
public participation through active stakeholder processes. As of January 200 1 , EPA has
reached its goal of 5 0 proj ects in the implementation phase. EPA Proj ect XL Progress
Reports provide overviews of the status of XL proj ects that are implementing Final Proj ect
Agreements (FPAs). The progress reports are available on the Internet via EPAs Proj ect XL
Web site at http://www.epa.gov/Project XL. Hard copies may be obtained by contacting the
Office of Policy Economics and Innovation's (formerly the Office of Reinvention) Proj ect XL
general information number at 202-260-5754. Additional information on Proj ect XL is
available on the Web site or by contacting the general information number. The information
and data presented in the January 200 1 Progress Report is current as of December 2000.
Background
Jacoby Development, Inc. is a privately held real estate company started in 1979, which
specializes in property development, financing, brokerage, leasing, and management. Jacoby
has proposed the redevelopment of a 1 3 8-acre former steel mill site that was owned and
operated by Atlantic Steel for more than a century. The proposed development is located
near Atlanta's central business district
and will provide a mix of residential,
office, retail, and entertainment uses with
proximity to Atlanta's central business
district. The redevelopment site is located
on the western boundary of the 1-75/85,
14-lane interstate highway. There is poor
access to the areas east of the highway,
where most of the existing neighborhoods
in the vicinity are. An essential compo-
nent of the redevelopment proj ect i s to
Major Milestones
Atlantic Steel
XL Project
Atlanta, Georgia
September 11,1998 September 7,1999 2001-2003
Atlantic Steel Redevelopment Final Proj ect Agreement Construction of 17th
XL Proposal Submitted Signed Street Bridge
October 2002
Completion of First Retail,
Residential, Office, and
Hotel Structures
Fall 2012
Atlantic Steel Site
Redevelopment
Complete
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construct a multimodal bridge (cars, pedestrians, bicycles, and transit linkage) that would cross 1-75/85 at 17th
Street, linking the site to the nearby neighborhoods and providing access to a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid
Transit Authority (MARTA) mass transit station. The bridge will accommodate various modes of transportation,
however, it will be designed to insure these modes remain independent from one another. The goal of the design
is to create a structure where the pedestrian experience will be as enjoyable as the motorist experience. To
achieve this objective, the bridge will include: (1) two 11-foot wide lanes in each direction for general use traffic;
(2) two 16-foot wide dedicated bicycle and transit lanes; and (3) a 24-foot wide pedestrian park and thorough-
fare, complete with elevated walkways, landscaping, and acrylic panels rather than metal fencing. In addition,
the bridge designers will consider the demands of the site, and modes of transportation that will use the bridge.
They are committed to choosing a bridge that will address the following goals: maintaining the traffic flow on
existing roads during bridge construction; placing piers on the connector so that they are safe as well as aestheti-
cally balanced; and finally, creating an structural icon without causing a distraction to motorists.
Jacoby and its partners plan to construct a mixed-use development on the Atlantic Steel site in a pedestrian-
friendly environment with linkage to rapid rail mass transit. The primary commercial space will be located on the
east side of the site, adj acent to the highway and close to existing large-scale development. The middle portion
of the site will be a residential village within walking distance to transit links, shopping, entertainment, office,
recreation, and open park spaces. The western portion of the site is reserved for a technology-based office and
research village affiliated with the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). "Smart growth" design
principles such as pedestrian-friendly and transit-oriented access between centers of residential entertainment,
and cultural, employment, and recreational uses, promise to reduce vehicular traffic and encourage a neighbor-
hood environment. EPA believes that the planned redevelopment of the Atlantic Steel site (including the bridge)
will lead to less air pollution than an equivalent amount of development at other likely sites in the region.
Jacoby is working in partnership with local citizens, the City of Atlanta, the State of Georgia, and EPA. The
Atlantic Steel project is expected to provide the following benefits:
• Accelerate the cleanup of a brownfield site.
• Redevelop a site with existing infrastructure and transportation.
• Create growth in midtown Atlanta instead of the outlying metropolitan area, resulting in fewer vehicle miles
traveled (VMT) in the metropolitan area.
• Link a new development to mass transit, which would encourage greater use of public transportation and less
reliance on cars.
• Incorporate "smart growth" design principles that would promote pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented access
instead of relying exclusively on cars.
• Establish a Transportation Management Association (TMA) that will monitor the number and types of
vehicular trips.
The Experiment
The Atlantic Steel proj ect tests whether smart growth strategies can be applied to brownfield and transportation
projects, such that air quality and other environmental performance can be improved, as part of an overall
community revitalization plan.
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Atlantic Steel XL Project 1-31-01
The Flexibility
Jacoby seeks to classify the entire redevelopment proj ect, including the 17th Street bridge, as a Transportation
Control Measure (TCM). The Atlanta region is not in compliance with the national Ambient Air Quality Stan-
dards (NAAQS) for ground level ozone. Between January 1998 and July 2000, the region did not meet trans-
portation conformity requirements under the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) because it could not demonstrate
that its transportation activities would not exacerbate its air quality problem. The CAA generally prohibits
construction of new transportation proj ects that use Federal funds or require Federal approval in areas that are
in a transportation conformity lapse. However, proj ects that are expected to provide an air quality benefit, called
Transportation Control Measures (TCMs), can proceed even during a conformity lapse if they are in a Federally
approved State Implementation Plan (SIP), which is used to address how the region will conform to the
NAAQS.
Under the Atlantic Steel proj ect, EPA is considering the entire redevelopment proj ect to be a TCM. A TCM is
a transportation proj ect that demonstrates an air quality benefit. Proj ects that are approved as TCMs in a SIP
are eligible for Federal funding and may gain Federal approval even in noncompliance areas. For the Atlantic
Steel site to qualify as a TCM, EPA is offering flexibility in two areas. First, EPA views the site's location,
proposed transit linkage, and other transportation characteristics together as a TCM. While the CAA lists
several types of proj ects that can be TCMs, the statute does not limit TCMs to these measures. Specific types
of TCMs listed in the CAA include proj ects that improve public transit, employer-based transportation manage-
ment plans, proj ects that limit certain areas in metropolitan regions to nonmotorized and pedestrian use, and
programs that provide both travel and storage facilities for bicycles. The plan for the Atlantic Steel site incorpo-
rates many elements that could be TCMs by themselves; for example, improved public transit, bicycle and
pedestrian paths, and the requirement that employers at the site j oin or form a transportation management
association. EPA believes that the combination of these elements will have a positive effect on reducing emis-
sions from single occupancy vehicles by encouraging the use of alternative modes of transportation.
A second aspect of this project's flexibility is testing an innovative approach to measuring the air quality benefits
of the Atlantic Steel redevelopment. To analyze the regional transportation and air emission impacts of the
Atlantic Steel proj ect, EPA used modeling analysis to compare the site redevelopment's potential air quality
impact to three other likely locations for similar-scale development in the Atlanta region. Using this type of
comparison to support a TCM consideration is unique to this particular XL proj ect. The site's SIP-TCM
designation is possible because the EPA analysis demonstrated that the Atlantic Steel redevelopment (with its
mixed-use and transit components) would generate a relative air quality benefit when compared to a similar-
scope development located in a suburban, greenfield location. This analysis of the Atlantic Steel site showed that
by absorbing a larger portion of Atlanta's growth, the Atlantic Steel site would create fewer VMT and nitrogen
oxide (NOx) emissions than developing alternative greenfield sites.
Promoting Innovation and System Change
Proj ect XL provides EPA opportunities to test and implement approaches that protect the environment and
advance collaboration with stakeholders. EPA is continually identifying specific ways in which XL proj ects are
helping to promote innovation and system change. The innovation and system change emerging from the Atlantic
Steel Redevelopment XL project is described below.
The Atlantic Steel proj ect's site design incorporates many "smart growth" design principles, including features
which promote pedestrian and transit access rather than exclusive reliance on automobiles. Hotels and offices
will be located within walking distance of shops and restaurants, shops that serve local needs will be located
within walking distance of both the Atlantic Steel site and the adj acent neighborhoods, and wide sidewalks will
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Atlantic Steel XL Project
1-31-01
encourage walking and retail use. The site design also includes a linkage to MARTA, which would make it
possible for people who work at the site to commute without a car.
Regulatory Flexibility During Conformity Lapse. In addition to returning a contaminated site to productive
use, the Atlantic Steel proj ect will examine how considering the entire redevelopment proj ect a TCM can
leverage environmental benefits in air quality. While the redevelopment plan incorporates many elements that
could qualify as TCMs individually, EPA believes that the unique attributes and interconnected design of this
specific proj ect will result in long-term air quality benefits for the Atlanta region. EPA will use regulatory flexibil-
ity under Proj ect XL to approve the redevelopment and its associated transportation proj ects as a TCM. As
more cities struggle with urban development, transportation, and air quality problems similar to Atlanta's, many
aspects of the proj ect will have the potential to be transferred to those locations.
In Fall 2000, EPA's Office of Air and Radiation issued new guidance allowing communities to take credit under
the Clean Air Act for Smart Growth actions and other land use policies. This guidance and its methodology
builds upon the analysis conducted in the Atlantic Steel proj ect, was tested in four cities, and provides commu-
nities with step-by-step instructions to counting their air benefits.
Project Commitment Summary
This table and the environmental performance section that follows summarize progress in meeting commitments
described in the FPA for the Atlantic Steel Redevelopment XL project. EPA has provided the initial regulatory
flexibility for the Atlantic Steel proj ect to proceed under the CAA. An environmental assessment under the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the State Implementation Plan (SIP) approval was
required before the proj ect construction could proceed. Under the CAA, states are required to develop a SIP
that sets limits on the maximum levels of pollutants in outdoor air. Each state is required to demonstrate how
those standards will be achieved, maintained, and enforced. The NEPA analysis will promote efforts to minimize
or eliminate damage to the environment and protect human health and welfare.
Commitment
Status
Site Design, Approval, and Construction
Jacoby prepares a detailed site plan incorporating
recommendations by a town planning firm.
Completed February 2,1998.
The Mayor of Atlanta approves zoning conditions
for the Atlantic Steel site.
Approved April 13,1998.
The Atlanta Region Commission reviews and
approves the TCM.
Approved in June 1999.
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)
approved site remediation plan.
Approved in December 1999.
Georgia EPD incorporates the TCM in its State
Implementation Plan (SIP-TCM).
Submitted to EPA in March 2000.
EPA provides a 30-day public comment period
and reviews/approves the Georgia SIP-TCM.
The 30-day public comment period ended in April
2000, and EPA approved the SIP-TCM on August
16, 2000. The SIP-TCM appeared in the Federal
Register on August 28,2000 (Volume 65, page
52028), and became effective on September 27,
2000.
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Atlantic Steel XL Project
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Commitment
Status
Site Design, Approval, and Construction (Continued)
EPA voluntarily conducts an environmental assess-
ment (EA) under NEPA to determine the environ-
mental impacts of the bridge in order to accelerate
the 17th Street Bridge/Extension and the Atlantic
Steel Redevelopment Project.
EPA issued a Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI) in December 2000.
Jacoby finalizes a concept report for the 17th
Street Bridge/Extension and submits the report to
the Georgia Department of Transportation (GA
DOT). The GA DOT approves the concept report
for the 17th Street Bridge/Extension.
Jacoby completed and submitted the concept
report in March 2000.
GADOT develops an Interchange Modification
Report (EVIR) for the 17th Street Bridge/Exten-
The EVIR was initiated in summer 2000, expected
to be completed by Spring 2001.
sion.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
reviews/approves the design for the bridge and
interchanges.
To be conducted following submittal of the Inter-
change Modification Report.
Georgia DOT constructs the multimodal 17th
Street Bridge.
URS Greiner, an engineering firm, has been se-
lected to design the 17th Street Bridge. The
preliminary design phase has begun, and construc-
tion of the bridge could occur as early as Decem-
ber 2001 and require 18 months.
Jacoby demolished and began recycling the old
Atlantic Steel mill structures.
Demolition completed summer 2000.
Jacoby improves the existing subsurface infrastruc-
ture (water, utilities, sewers, etc.).
To be accomplished concurrently with site
remediation.
Jacoby completes Phase 1 construction of the
redevelopment proj ect.
Vertical construction will begin concurrently with
infrastructure development and is expected to be
completed in October, 2002.
Jacoby completes Phase 2 construction of the
redevelopment proj ect.
Expected to be completed in the fall of 2006.
Jacoby completes the last phase (Phase 3) of
construction of the redevelopment proj ect.
Expected to be completed in the fall of 2012.
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Atlantic Steel XL Project
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Commitment
Status
Brownfield Remediation
GeorgiaEPD reviews and approves Jacoby's site
remediation plan.
Approved December 1999.
Jacoby remediates the most contaminated soils
("hot spots") and an existing small RCRA facility
using excavation and disposal at offsite landfills.
The slag that remains onsite will be covered by at
least two feet of clean fill material.
Remediation began in January 2000 and is ongo-
ing.
Jacoby constructs a long-term groundwater collec-
tion and monitoring system. Groundwater will be
diverted to onsite pretreatment facilities (as neces-
sary) prior to discharge to a sanitary sewer.
Remediation began in January 2000 and is ongo-
ing.
Through a conservation easement, the City of
Atlanta ensures that both the barriers to contami-
nated slag and the groundwater collection and
monitoring system remain intact. The site owner will
be responsible for any required mitigation mea-
sures.
Georgia EPD has approved the conservation
easement. The City of Atlanta will monitor the
effectiveness of the remedy following the comple-
tion of remediation construction activities.
Transportation Enhancements
Jacoby provides the right-of-way to MARTA, or
another acceptable entity, to allow the construction
of a linkage connecting the Atlantic Steel site to the
MARTA Arts Center station.
To be provided after bridge approval is complete.
Jacoby provides an interim shuttle service to the
MARTA Arts Center station after construction of
the 17th Street bridge is completed. Shuttle service
will continue for ten years or until MARTA or
another similar entity assumes responsibility for
mass transit linkage.
Shuttle linkage to MARTA will begin after the 17th
Street bridge opens to traffic.
Jacoby provides funding, or a funding mechanism,
for the establishment of a Transportation Manage-
ment Association (TMA). The TMA will undertake
specific mitigation measures if specified thresholds
for air quality performance are not met.
Tracking of VMT performance measures will
begin two years after the opening of the 17th
Street bridge to single occupancy vehicles.
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Atlantic Steel XL Project
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Commitment Status
Pollution Prevention
Jacoby works with builders and users of the
property to encourage their participation in the
Green Building Council's "Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design" (LEED™) program and
attain the requirements for the LEED Building
Bronze™ designation.
Jacoby works with Atlantic Steel to implement
aggressive recycling of materials in old mill struc-
tures prior to demolition of existing structures.
To reduce the use of water, Jacoby promotes the use
of water flow restrictors, innovative uses of
"greywater," and use of drought-tolerant indigenous
plant species.
Jacoby explores the use of the Hemphill Water Plant
backwash water to reduce irrigation needs at the
site.
To be initiated during design of vertical construction.
Deconstruction is completed and the following
materials have been recycled: metals; oxydized steel
products; concrete; used oil; lead acid batteries;
power transformers; and railroad cross-ties.
To be included in the design of vertical construction.
To be initiated during vertical construction.
Erosion and Stormwater Control
Jacoby will install onsite, separate stormwater and
sanitary sewer systems, using best management
practices, to reduce future impacts on water quality.
An onsite erosion and sediment control facility will
be built during and after construction to control all
surface water runoff from the site.
To be implemented during infrastructure improve-
ment.
To be initiated prior to infrastructure improvement.
Data Collection
Jacoby collects data on (1) average daily vehicle
miles traveled per resident; (2) average daily vehicle
miles traveled per employee working at the site; (3)
the percentage of all trips by mode made to and
from the site by residents and employees; and (4)
origin and destination date for trips made to, from,
and on the site by residents and employees. The data
will be submitted annually to the City of Atlanta.
The TMA conducts an annual commute mode
survey and monitor transportation-related issues at
the redevelopment.
Jf the proj ect falls below the performance targets set
in the SIP, then the City of Atlanta and the TMA will
implement transportation programs onsite that
encourage trip reductions.
To begin the year following the opening of the 1 7th
Street bridge to single occupancy vehicles and
continuing as long as the TCM is contained in the
SIP.
To be conducted in conjunction with Jacoby 's
submittal of data to the City of Atlanta.
To be implemented any time after the proj ect i s
two-thirds complete, or six years after the 17th
Street bridge opens, whichever comes first.
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Commitment
Status
Jacoby Reporting Requirements
Jacoby will prepare an annual summary report and
submit the report to EPA, Georgia EPD, and the
City of Atlanta, and will post the report on its
Internet web site. Upon request, Jacoby will pro-
vide a copy of the annual report to stakeholders.
First report completed on February 15,2000.
Jacoby will prepare a semiannual update on the
redevelopment and remediation of the site and
submit the update to EPA, Georgia EPD, and
Atlanta, and will post the report on its Internet web
site. Upon request, Jacoby will provide a copy of
the annual report to stakeholders.
First semiannual update submitted Fall 2000 and
continuing for two years or until the 17th bridge
opens, whichever comes first.
Stakeholder Involvement
Jacoby conducted a full public notice and review
process during the rezoning of the property from an
industrial to a mixed-use classification.
Rezoning process began in May, 1997. Multiple
public meetings, discussion groups, and individual
contacts were involved. The first XL public
meeting was held in September, 1998.
Jacoby will conduct an annual public meeting near
the site to present its annual report and obtain input
from stakeholders.
Annually beginning in February, 2000.
Jacoby will hold a Periodic Performance Review
Conference, concurrent with the stakeholders
meeting, to assess their progress in implementing the
project.
Annually beginning in February, 2000. A summary
will be prepared within 3 0 days after the confer-
ence.
Environmental Performance
This section summarizes progress in meeting the environmental performance described in the FPA for the
Atlantic Steel Redevelopment XL project.
Remediation ofaBrownfieldSite: Remediation of the site to prevent exposures to contamination caused by a
century of steel mill operations is required for the redevelopment project to proceed. The remediation plans for
the site include the excavation of both contaminated soil "hot spots" and a small RCRA facility (20-foot by 20-
foot cap), and disposal of the soils at an appropriate offsite facility. At least two feet of clean fill will be placed
over all slag that remains onsite. In addition, a groundwater collection and treatment system will be constructed
and maintained to prevent migration of contaminants offsite through the groundwater. The existing infrastructure
at the site will be improved concurrently with the remediation to avoid future disturbance of the clean fill barrier.
Progress: Georgia EPD approved Jacoby's remediation work plan in December, 1999. Remediation and
infrastructure improvements began in late January, 2000. The remediation is expected to require up to 18
months to complete.
Reduction of Future Air Emissions: An April 1998 study performed by EPAs Urban and Economic Develop-
ment Division, entitled Transportation and Environmental Impacts of Infill and Greenfield Development,
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Atlantic Steel XL Project 1-31-01
found that VMT could be reduced by as much as 61 percent by developing at infill sites compared to outlying
greenfields. Based on this and other analyses, EPA evaluated the potential performance of the Atlantic Steel site
relative to three other likely locations and evaluated the potential for carbon monoxide (CO) emission hot spots
associated with development at the Atlantic Steel site. To analyze the transportation and air emissions impact of
the proj ect, EPA used the Atlanta regional transportation and MOBILESa emissions models to compare
development at the Atlantic Steel site to similar development at outlying greenfields. Analysis of regional trans-
portation and air emissions impacts show that absorbing a larger portion of Atlanta's future growth at the
Atlantic Steel site would result in up to 34 percent fewer VMT and up to 45 percent fewer NOx emissions than
if the growth were to occur at likely alternative sites. Analysis of potential CO emissions indicated that CO hot
spots would not occur. Jacoby, EPA, Georgia EPD, and Atlanta have agreed on the following specific criteria to
determine the success of this proj ect in reducing VMT.
• Following two-thirds build-out, or six years after the 17th Street bridge opens to single-occupancy vehicle
traffic (whichever comes first) the average daily VMT per resident of the development will be less than 27
miles.
• Following two-thirds build-out, or six years after the 17th Street bridge opens to single-occupancy vehicle
traffic (whichever comes first) the average daily VMT per employee of the development will be less than 11
miles.
• Following two-thirds build-out, or six years after the 17th Street bridge opens to single-occupancy vehicle
traffic (whichever comes first), the average daily total vehicle trips to and from the site, other than transit, will
be less than or equal to 72,000 trips.
Progress: The Atlantic Steel redevelopment proj ect is in its very early stages. Data on air emissions and VMT
are not yet being collected.
Implementation of Erosion andStormwater Control: Stormwater runoff from the Atlantic Steel site currently
flows into a combined sanitary and Stormwater sewer. Jacoby has committed to voluntarily installing separate
Stormwater and sanitary systems to reduce or eliminate the flow of pollutants from Stormwater runoff to receiv-
ing waters. The systems will be adequately sized to handle sanitary and Stormwater discharges from the pro-
posed proj ect and existing flows in the catchment basin now serviced by the combined sewer. Stormwater will
be diverted to one or more impoundments to be constructed on the property and then reused either as
greywater or discharged to the separate Stormwater sewer to be constructed. Structural best management
practices (BMPs) and Stormwater controls will be employed to ensure that surface runoff leaving the site will
receive some level of treatment prior to reaching the Chattahoochee River.
Progress: Construction of infrastructure improvements will occur after site remediation is completed.
Participation in the Green Building Council "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design "
(LEED™) Program:
Energy Conservation. Jacoby will implement strategies to prevent and minimize pollution by selecting construc-
tion materials and sustainable building technologies that minimize energy use. Buildings will be sited to maximize
solar gain in the winter and minimize solar gain in the summer, thus reducing energy consumption from heating
and cooling. Jacoby will voluntarily commit to working with EPA, the Southface Energy Institute, Georgia Tech,
and other stakeholders to identify and encourage future tenants and developers to participate in energy conser-
vation programs.
Solid Waste Management. Jacoby will encourage Atlantic Steel to recycle and reuse the solid waste generated
during the demolition of the existing structures on the property. Jacoby will work with builders during redevelopment
to determine which solid waste management measures to apply to meet LEED™ Bronze Building requirements.
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Atlantic Steel XL Project 1-31-01
Water Use Reduction. Jacoby will comply with state laws and building codes that require all newly constructed
properties to reduce water use. Water flow restrictors will be used in office buildings and homes, and innovative
reuse of "greywater" will be encouraged. Measures can be applied to meet LEED™ Bronze Building require-
ments and to reduce overall pollutant loadings to receiving waters, urban streams, and the wastewater treatment
plant.
Progress: Deconstructing and recycling of the old Atlantic Steel mill structures began in July, 1999. Vertical
construction has not yet been initiated and, therefore, energy and environmental conservation building designs
have yet to be implemented.
Outreach and Public Education: A Programmatic Agreement was reached between EPA and the Georgia
State Historic Preservation Officer in December 1999. The agreement contains a stipulation to develop and
implement an Outreach and Public Education Plan for the Atlantic Steel site. The goal of the plan is to "focus on
public education approaches that benefit preservation in a larger context and the community as a whole." The
plan will be developed and implemented by EPA and Atlantis 16th, L.L.C., in consultation with the Georgia
State Historic Preservation Officer, Atlanta History Center, and Atlanta Urban Design Commission.
Progress: The Outreach and Public Education plan will continue to be implemented as the Atlantic Steel rede-
velopment project reaches completion. Components of the plan include:
• development of an oral history of Atlantic Steel;
• development of a visitor's center/interpretive center as part of the redevelopment plan;
• educational video and other publications documenting the history of Atlantic Steel;
• publication of appropriate research material; and
• reuse and/or relocation of either historic buildings, machinery, or steel making products to be part of either
on-site or off-site exhibits.
Stakeholder Participation
During the process of rezoning, there were multiple public meetings, discussion groups, individual contacts, and
a public notice and review process. The stakeholders involved in the process included the City of Atlanta
Planning Department, Georgia DOT, the Atlanta Regional Commission, MARTA, the Georgia Conservancy,
nine neighborhood organizations, the Midtown Alliance, and Georgia Tech. Discussions with these stakeholders
led to collaboration on the concept, design, and conditions that were included in the City of Atlanta rezoning
document and ultimately to many of the measures agreed to by Jacoby in the FPA. The Stakeholder Participa-
tion Plan (SPP) describes the methods by which additional input can be solicited and received throughout the
redevelopment process.
The Atlantic Steel Redevelopment Team has provided proj ect updates at association meetings for various
neighborhoods such as Home Park, Ansley Park, and Loring Heights. Additionally, the team has been involved
with Georgia Tech in a number of different capacities. The Georgia Tech College of Engineering, with specific
focus in the environmental and civil engineering fields and the College of Architecture have asked members of
the redevelopment team and Proj ect XL to participate through lectures, panel discussions, and juries. Finally,
the team has provided time, technical consultation and financial support to the [Southface] Energy Institute for its
Greenprints 2000 Conference on green building solutions, high performance building design, and sustainable
community development.
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Atlantic Steel XL Project 1-31-01
Six-Month Outlook
Expected activities over the next six months include the following:
• Georgia DOT will submit an Interchange Modification Report (EVER) to FHWA.
• FHWA will review/approve EVER.
• Remediation and infrastructure improvement will continue.
Project Contacts
• Charles R. Brown, Atlantic Redevelopment L.L.C., (404) 876-2616.
• BrianLeary, Atlantic Redevelopment L.L.C., (404) 876-2616.
• Michelle Cook, EPA Region 4, (404) 562-8674.
• Ted Cochin, EPA Headquarters, (202) 260-0880.
Information Sources
The information sources used to develop this progress report were (1) the February 15,2000 Atlantic Steel
Project XL Summary Report; (2) the September 7,1999, Atlantic Steel FPA; 3) The December 1999XL
Project Progress Report-Atlantic Steel Redevelopment (EPA 100-R-00-014); 4) Project XL Stakeholder
Involvement Evaluation, Draft Final Report (April 2000);
5)News articles from the Atlanta Journal Constitution: "Steely Determination: GreenLight is Given for Design
Work on 17th St. Bridge" (August 25,2000), "Designer Sees 17th Street Bridge as a Unique Gateway into
Atlanta" (August 25,2000), "Development Plan Falls into Place" (August 25,2000); and 6) News article from
Bizjournals.com/atlanta: "Designer Picked for 17th StreetBridge" (August24,2000).
Glossary
Baseline: The measure by which future environmental performance can be compared.
Best Management Practice: Methods that have been determined to be the most effective, practical means of
preventing or reducing pollution from nonpoint sources of pollution.
Brownfields: Abandoned, idled or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevel-
opment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.
Carbon Monoxide (CO): A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete fossil fuel combustion.
Clean Air Act (CAA): The Clean Air Act is the comprehensive Federal law that regulates air emissions from
area, stationary, and mobile sources. This law authorizes EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Stan-
dards (NAAQS) to protect public health and the environment.
Deconstruct! on: The removal of recyclable materials from building structures prior to demolition.
Disposal: The discharge, deposit, inj ection, dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing of any solid or hazardous waste
on or in the land or water.
Effluent: Treated or untreated wastewater that flows out of a treatment plant, sewer, orindustrial outfall. Gener-
ally refers to wastes discharged into surface waters.
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Atlantic Steel XL Project 1-31-01
Erosion: The wearing away of land surface by wind or water, intensified by land-clearing practices related to
farming, residential or industrial development, road building, or logging.
Final Project Agreement (FPA): The FPA outlines the details of the XL project and each party's commitments.
The project's sponsors, EPA, state agencies, tribal governments, other regulators, and direct participant stake-
holders negotiate the FPA.
Greenfields: Areas of landuncontaminatedby industrialization.
Greywater: Nonpotable wastewater composed of wash water from kitchen, bathroom, and laundry uses.
Irrigation: Applying water or wastewater to land areas to supply the water and nutrient needs of plants.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™): An innovative pollution prevention program that
takes a comprehensive view of resource conservation and management.
LEED™ Building Bronze: An award certification program where applicants must satisfy certain prerequisites set
by the program and can earn a certain number of credits.
Media: Specific environments—air, water, soil—which are the subject of regulatory concern and activities.
Multi-media: Several environmental media, such as air, water, and land.
MOBILESa Model: A model used by EPA in regulatory submittals that estimates regional mobile source air
emissions by taking into account proj ected VMT, speed, and the types of vehicles within the region.
Nitrogen Oxide (NOx): An air pollutant that is the result of photochemical reactions of nitric oxide in ambient air.
Typically, it is a product of combustion from transportation and stationary sources. It is a major contributor to
the formation of tropospheric ozone, photochemical smog, and acid deposition.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): Regulations promulgated by EPA under the C AA for six
criteria pollutants—SO2, particulate matter, NOx, CO, ozone, and lead—in order to protect the public from the
impacts of these atmospheric emissions.
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA): The purposes of this Act are to declare a national policy to
encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment; and to promote efforts that
will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere, stimulate the health and welfare of man,
enrich the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the Nation, and establish a
Council on Environmental Quality.
Parti culate Matter: Fine liquid or solid particles, such as dust, smoke, mist, fumes, or smog, found in air or
emissions.
Pollution Prevention: Identifying areas, processes, and activities that create excessive waste products in order to
reduce or prevent their generation through altering or eliminating a process, pursuant to the Pollution Prevention
Act of 1990.
Recycling: The separation and collection of wastes, their subsequent transformation or remanufacture into usable
or marketable products or materials, and the purchase of products made from recyclable materials.
Remediation: Cleanup or other methods used to mitigate a toxic spill or hazardous materials at a contaminated
site.
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Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): RCRA gives EPA the authority to control hazardous
waste from "cradle-to-grave." This includes the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of
hazardous waste. RCRA also set forth a framework for the management of nonhazardous wastes. RCRA
enables EPA to address environmental problems that could result from underground tanks storing petroleum
and other hazardous substances. RCRA focuses only on active and future facilities and does not address
abandoned sites.
Sediments: Soil, sand, and minerals washed from land into water, usually after rain. They pile up in reservoirs,
rivers and harbors, destroy fish and wildlife habitat, and cloud the water so that sunlight cannot reach aquatic
plants.
Slag: The refuse from melting of metals or reduction of ores.
Smart Growth: A program that uses state resources to revitalize older developed areas, preserve some of their
valuable resources and open space, and discourage the continuation of sprawling development into rural areas.
Stakeholder: Any organization, governmental entity, or individual that has a stake in or may be impacted by a
given approach to environmental regulation, pollution prevention, energy conservation, etc.
State Implementation Plan (SIP): Under the CAA, states are required to develop a plan that sets limits on the
maximum levels of pollutants in outdoor air. Each state is responsible for developing a plan to demonstrate how
those standards will be achieved, maintained, and enforced.
Solid Waste: Nonliquid, nonsoluble materials ranging from municipal garbage to industrial wastes that contain
complex and sometimes hazardous substances. Solid wastes also include sewage sludge, agricultural refuse,
demolition wastes, and mining residues. Technically, solid waste also refers to liquids and gases in containers.
Solid Waste Management: Supervised handling of waste materials from their source through recovery pro-
cesses to disposal.
Title V of the Clean Air Act: Establishes a Federal operating permit program that applies to any maj or station-
ary facility or source of air pollution. The purpose of the operating permits program is to ensure compliance
with all applicable requirements of the CAA. Under the program, permits are issued by states or, when a state
fails to carry out the CAA satisfactorily, by EPA. The permit includes information on which pollutants are being
released, how much may be released, and what kinds of steps the source's owner or operator is taking to
reduce pollution, including plans to monitor the pollution.
Transportation Control Measures (TCMs): Steps taken by a locality to reduce vehicular emissions and im-
prove air quality by reducing or changing the flow of traffic, including bus and high-occupancy vehicle (HO V)
lanes, carpooling, other forms of ride sharing, public transit, and bicycle lanes.
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMTs): A measure of the total amount of miles traveled by vehicles within a region.
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC): Any organic compound that easily evaporates and participates in atmo-
spheric photochemical reactions, except those designated by EPA as having negligible photochemical reactiv-
ity.
Wastewater: The spent or used water from a home, community, farm, or industry that contains dissolved or
suspended matter.
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