JU Unci & Community Revit^lization BROWN FIELDS SUCCESS IN NEW ENGLAND FORMER SALT SHED & TURNTABLE PROPERTIES MONTPELIER VERMONT Motivation for Redevelopment: In 1993, the City of Montpelier, located in central Vermont, launched an aggressive strategy to improve the economic vitality of its downtown and riverfront areas. A large component of this effort was the redevelopment of a large state-owned derelict rail yard in the heart of downtown along the Winooski River. This project was seen as the key mechanism to spark community engagement across the city as well as satisfy the need for retail and office space. After nearly a century of industrial use occupying the riverfront, residents are able to gather together to eat, shop, enjoy the riverfront, and appreciate the City's heritage. Salt Shecl EPA Community-Wide Hazardous Substances Assessment Grant: $31,750 Private Developer: $2,150,000 Turntable EPA Community-Wide Hazardous Substances Assessment Grant: $38,200 VT Community Development Program (VCDP) Grant: $194,336 Vermont Downtowns and Village Centers Tax Credit: $71,223 State Downtown Transportation Grant: $74,961 City 5% Match: $13,977 City Funds: $36,000 City Sales Tax Reallocation: $33,000 City Capital Improvement Plan: $7,345 * The new office building is projected to have capacity for approximately 65 employees. • Connor Brothers Stonecutters received a tax benefit which equals approximately $3,800 peryear for 7 years. Potential to extend the contract by demonstrating the creation of at least 25 net new full time livable wage jobs. in the soil directly below. Clean up efforts included excavation and removal of hazardous materials as well as the installation of indicator fabric and monitoring wells. Additionally, the desire for cohesiveness between both designs led the City to encounter difficulty in funding retention. Differing timelines led the City to devise a tax reallocation system by which state sales tax from 535 Stonecutters Way would fund Turntable Park's construction. Property History: The adjoining Salt Shed and Turntable properties are owned by Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), who lease the Salt Shed property to Connor Brothers Stonecutters, LLC and the Turntable property to the City of Montpelier. Between 1894 and 1973, both properties were owned by various railroad companies. After its construction between 1909 and 1915, the Turntable facility discontinued operations between 1957 and 1980. Meanwhile, in 1973, Twin State Sand & Gravel bought the Salt Shed property and constructed the shed (11,500 sf) for road salt storage. In 1980, the State (VTrans) took the entire railroad property along the river. In 1997, the City leased a majority of it apart from the Turntable property, which was included in an amendment in 2004. Central Vermont Skating Association bought the Salt Shed building in 1983 and converted it into a skating rink. Pyralisk Arts Center bought it in 1999, selling it to Connor Brothers in 2010. Testing determined that both sites were filled with waste from surrounding granite businesses in existence during the early 20th century. A coal shed, engine house, and machine shop constructed near the turntable may have also contributed to contamination on site. On the Turntable property, maintenance and repair of locomotives and railcars resulted in contamination Project Results: Now completed, the unique Turntable Park is dedicated to the late Garth Genge (pictured above) who propelled the project forward for the City. The park celebrates Montpelier's rail industry heritage by retaining the turntable itself as a central focus around which salvaged granite blocks are repurposed as seating. Construction is nearing completion on the Salt Shed property with a new office building replacing the deteriorating shed. When it is complete, the entire redevelopment will incorporate connecting pedestrian and bike paths to the downtown from the riverfront. Together, these projects conclude redevelopment along this section of the Winooski River. TIMELINE Feb, 2004 City leases Turntable property July 2004 Phase J ESA completed Sept. 2004 Phase II ESA completed Jan. 2005 Additional Phase II ESA completed for Salt Shed property Aug. 2010 Private developer leases Salt Shed property Dec. 2010 Turntable property cleanup completed Sept. 2011 Turntable Park opened Dee. 2011 Salt Shed property cleanup completed Aug. 2012 Leasee projected to occupy Salt Shed office building July 2012 Local Contact: Jennifer Mojo, Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission • (802)229-0389* mojotffltivregion.com ------- |