vvEPA www.epa.gov J Reuse and Benefits to the Community x Abex Corporation Site Executive Summary Over the last decade, the community of Portsmouth, Virginia has struggled through profound economic and political difficulties, proactively looking for new options and new directions for the future use of the Abex Corporation Superfund site. This case study describes how multiple stakeholders have worked together to plan and build a thriving new community on the site, and the positive local impacts that have resulted from their efforts. 3^^; Z— - J Figure 1: Portsmouth Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services, Station 1 on Effingham Street Reuse Impacts • Fire Station 1 employs an estimated 25 employees consisting of both firefighters and paramedics and contributes $3,025,308 in annual employment income to the community. • The professional center includes small retail enterprises, including a restaurant, barbershop, a community health center and a community dental clinic. • A community health center provides free or low-cost health services to local residents. Part of the professional center at the site, the Hampton Roads Community Health Center and Healthy Smiles Dental Center served nearly 9,000 medical and dental patients with 29,586 medical and dental patient visits in 2009. • The Charles A. Fisher Memorial Academy, a law enforcement training facility, employs 12 people and contributes $472,486 in annual employment income to the community. • A beverage distribution company has built a distribution warehouse at the site, providing 68 jobs in the area and contributing approximately $3,025,308 in employment income to the community. • Green space and a park have improved the aesthetic value of the site property. • The Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority received over $1.9 million in grants to assist with the demolition of on-site buildings and the relocation of Washington Park residents. 1 ------- Introduction Abex CorSfsSite Portsmouth Superfund site remediation at the Abex Corporation Superfund site in Portsmouth, Virginia restored value to the site and provided benefits to the surrounding community. These accomplishments are significant; the stigma associated with contaminated sites often results in decreased land values on and around a site. Returning a site to use revitalizes the local economy with jobs, businesses, tax revenues, local spending, and provides enhanced recreational and ecological benefits. Additionally, green space, walking paths, parks and playgrounds are often associated with Superfund sites after remediation, thereby adding value to communities. Portsmouth, VA The goal of this case study is to describe (quantitatively, qualitatively and, where possible, in dollar terms) the impact of the site's redevelopment for local communities and the environment. Site History and Cleanup The site is located in one of Portsmouth's oldest urban neighborhoods, less than one mile from the U.S. Navy's extensive shipyards. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia is one of the U.S. Navy's largest and oldest shipyards, specializing in repairing, overhauling and modernizing ships and submarines. The Abex Corporation/Railroad Products Group operated a brass and bronze foundry in Portsmouth, Virginia from 1928 to 1978. The legacy of 50 years of foundry operations and the associated disposal of some 3,500 cubic yards of lead-laden furnace sands in a one-acre parcel adjacent to the site resulted in surface and subsurface soil contamination with lead, other metals and volatile organic compounds. Much of this contaminated sand was inappropriately used as fill material for residential and commercial development near the foundry. The disposal of foundry waste sands and emissions from the smelting furnaces contaminated on-site soil, residential yards, a small playground and a rehabilitation center. Lead was the principal contaminant of concern at the site due to its known health effects and its widespread presence in surface and subsurface soil in the residential areas, as well as the foundry properties.1 Following a series of site investigations, in 1990 EPA added the site to its list of hazardous waste sites needing cleanup. 1 1992 EPA Record of Decision, page 20. http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/rods/fulltext/r0392159.pdf. 2 ------- Property Cleanup and Transformation In 1996, an agreement was reached among the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Abex Corporation, the City of Portsmouth and the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority to design and conduct cleanup and reuse activities at the site. The remedy chosen for the site included soil excavation, treatment and off-site disposal. Waste materials were also removed and excavated areas were backfilled with clean fill. Several private homes around the foundry property, as well as several foundry structures, were demolished in 1998. Contaminated soils at the Washington Park Public Housing Complex (WPH) were scheduled to be cleaned to residential standards. However, a legal issue postponed the completion of remediation activities. The legal issue was a 1999 civil rights lawsuit filed against the City of Portsmouth, the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Abex Corporation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and EPA, alleging that WPH was knowingly built on contaminated property. A settlement was reached in 2000 whereby HUD and the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority agreed to permanently relocate all WPH residents. After relocation, WPH buildings were demolished by November 2003 and soil remediation was subsequently completed. Community members were able to provide input throughout the decision-making process for the site's cleanup and redevelopment. The site's comprehensive cleanup minimized potential liability concerns, making the site property more suitable for redevelopment at a critical time when developable land was in high demand in the area. A cooperative effort by EPA, the state, the local community and the private sector has brought positive, lasting results to the local economy, the environment and area residents. Local Impacts The site's cleanup proved to have a significant impact on both the environment and the local economy. In addition to three public service facilities (Fire Station 1, the Community Health Center and the Charles A. Fisher Memorial Academy), a park, a beverage distribution facility and a shopping center are also located on the site. Fire Station 1 Fire Station 1 is centrally located on the site and serves the communities of Brighton, Truxton, Prentis Park, Olde Towne and Portsmouth. The surrounding area is currently home to the Ntelos Amphitheater, Ocean Marine Yacht Center and many other businesses. Station l's location in the community has improved response time for fire and medical emergencies, which is an added attraction for new businesses. In addition to the engine truck, the Ladder 1 truck and Medic Batt 3 The Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority received over $1.9 million in grants to assist with the demolition of on-site buildings and the relocation of Washington Park residents, including: • A HOPE VI Demolition Grant in the amount of $1,588,700 for Washington Park. • A 2005 Resident Opportunities for Self Sufficiency Grant for $350,000 to help ensure the self-sufficiency of 100 residents living in low-income public housing developments. • A $47,000 Public Housing Coordinator Grant and a $41,000 Housing Choice Voucher Coordinator Grant to provide continued case management services to public housing and Section 8 housing choice voucher participants. >ns, the Station also houses a Hazardous Materials ------- Team. The Team serves as the lead Hazardous Materials Team for the entire Southside region.2 Station 1 firefighters respond to an average of 315 emergency calls each month and medics respond to an average of 320 calls per month.3 It is estimated that Fire Station 1 employs an average of 25 employees, consisting of both firefighters and paramedics, and contributes $3,025,308 in annual employment income to the community.' The new Hampton Roads Community Health Center (formally Portsmouth Community Health Center) located in the professional center provides primary care, laboratory services, pharmaceutical services, and behavioral health and preventive health services to the local community. The Health Center is private-not-for-profit and funded through federal, state and local grants. Healthy Smiles Dental Center provides much needed dental services to the community. The health and dental centers also provide community outreach through community health fairs and other off-site activities. At community health fairs, Center staff conduct dental, diabetic, blood pressure, cholesterol and other screenings at no cost to local residents. In 2009, the Center served over 8,900 medical and dental patients with 29,586 medical and dental patient visits. Massimo Zanetti Massimo Zanetti, an Italy-based coffee distribution company, has built a beverage distribution warehouse and transportation and parking facilities on site, on areas formerly occupied by the WPH. The availability of industrial property near the company's headquarters was the impetus for building the facilities. The distribution center has provided 68 permanent and 7 temporary jobs in the area and contributes $3,025,308 in annual employment income to the community. Charles A. Fisher Memorial Academy The Charles A. Fisher Memorial Academy, which is part of the Portsmouth Sherriffs Office, is certified to teach entry level, continuing education and mandated in-service training for law enforcement and jailor curricula. The Academy employs 12 people and contributes $472,368 in annual employment income to 2 City of Portsmouth Fire Station 1 Website. http://www.portsmouthva.gov/fire/Station%201.aspx 3 Portsmouth Sheriffs Office 2009 Annual Report. The City of Portsmouth has a total of eight fire stations, which employ a total of 206 employees. The average pay scale for firefighters in Virginia is $44,086.90 - $57,313.10/Year Permanent Full Time. For the purposes of the case study the midpoint was estimated as the average salary, $50,700. 4 Hampton Roads Community Health and Dental Center Immunity" J~~*i ma wm C33J Figure 2: Portsmouth Community Health Center ------- the community. In 2009, the Academy provided training to 15 federal, state and local agencies in the southeastern portion of the state. During 2009, Academy staff provided over 4,000 training hours.5 The City of Portsmouth's Mounted Police Horse Stables are also located adjacent to the Academy. The Mounted Police Unit regularly patrols the streets of Portsmouth. Conclusion Portsmouth has become a model for successful urban revitalization and the Abex Corporation Superfund site has played a significant part in the city's efforts. The site's cleanup protected human health and the environment, improved the aesthetic value of the local landscape, attracted new businesses and will help spur additional redevelopment in the area in the future. Site reuses provide needed community services and strengthen Figure 3: Mounted Police Horse Stables . , ... area infrastructure, providing a fire station, law enforcement training and community health clinic services that have improved local quality of life for Portsmouth citizens. 5 Portsmouth Sheriffs Office 2009 Annual Report. ------- |