RETURN TO USE INITIATIVE 2014 Demonstration Project BUCKBEE-MEARS, CO.: Cortland, New York THE SITE: From 1974 until 2004, Buckbee- Mears Co. Inc. operated an electronic components manufacturing facility at the 74-acre Buckbee-Mears Co. site (the Site) in Cortland County, New York. The facility produced aperture masks used in cathode ray tube monitors. Operators used acids, ammonia, chlorine and metals throughout the manufacturing process, and required the storage of bulk chemicals and hazardous materials on site In 2004, International Electronic Devices (IED) acquired the site facilities and continued facility operations. IED abandoned the Site the following year and left behind large quantities of chemicals and waste products, which contaminated site soil, ground water and structures. In July 2006, the Cortland Police Department discovered the large quantities of hazardous materials at the unsecured facility. This discovery and additional investigations prompted removal actions to address uncontrolled releases of hazardous materials at the Site. The cleanup is now complete. THE OPPORTUNITY: The Site's location prompted early redevelopment discussions. Not only is the Site located close to downtown Cortland, between Kellogg Road and the New York, Susquehanna & Western Rail line, but it is also close to a major highway, Interstate 81. In addition, the City of Cortland recently secured grant funding through the New York Department of State's Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) program to support an areawide revitalization strategy for a 527-acre area in southeast Cortland, including the 50-acre facility portion of the Site. This designation offers several economic development incentives for reusing the Site. BARRIERS: The Site still had several unused PICTURED: Unused industrial buildings remain on site. (Source: EPA) BARRIER: No clear vision as to reuse possibilities at the Site. SOLUTION: EPA SRI funded a reuse assessment to document cleanup status, to clarify the Site's suitability for reuse and to provide recommendations on how to address specific barriers to reuse. PICTURED: The Site's reuse assessment developed a map showing reuse suitability zones to aid in future reuse efforts. (Source: EPA) BEFORE: Abandoned industrial property. AFTER: Remediated property with clarified reuse potential recently purchased by a local developer at auction. SEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Redevelopment Initiative November 2014 1 ------- buildings and warehouses, and portions had varying zoning designations. There was no clear cleanup status documentation to guide an interested party in site redevelopment. Interested developers may also have been concerned about acquiring Superfund liability during property purchase or reuse. THE SOLUTION: EPA's Superfund Redevelopment Initiative (SRI) funded a reuse assessment to document cleanup status, to clarify the Site's suitability for reuse and to provide recommendations on how to address specific barriers to reuse. The reuse assessment used maps to clearly depict all on-site features and infrastructure, from buildings to wetlands to monitoring wells. It also established reuse zones based on removal actions, potential contamination, condition of structures and natural features. These reuse zones range from commercial or industrial use areas, to areas suitable for open space. In summary, the reuse assessment clarified reuse opportunities for all areas of the Site so prospective purchasers and local government partners could understand key site conditions in order to make decisions about appropriate redevelopment. It also provided information about Superfund liability and protections granted to parties that qualify as Bona Fide Prospective Purchasers. The requirements to qualify include (but are not limited to) performing all appropriate inquiries prior to acquiring the property, demonstrating no affiliation with a liable party and satisfying ongoing long-term stewardship obligations. THE SITE NOW: The reuse assessment continues to inform marketing efforts for the disposition and redevelopment of the Site. In February 2014, a local developer purchased the Site at a foreclosure auction as part of an administrative settlement. The Site's acquisition is part of a strategy developed by EPA, the City and other lien holders to recover response costs, back taxes and a mortgage default. With a clear understanding of the Site's potential, EPA, the City of Cortland and site owners continue to work with the new site owners to bring the Site back into productive reuse. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Maria Wieder, Region 2 Assistant Regional Counsel, wieder.marla@epa.aov or (212) 637-3184 or Gloria Sosa, Region 2 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at sosa.aloria@epa.gov or (212) 637-4283. United States Environmental Protection i Agency Superfund Redevelopment Initiative November 2014 2 ------- |