svEPA EPA Region 9 Brownfields Program Success Stories U n ited States , n ll Environmental Protection k J « k. I « I A Jm Marina Gateway National City, CA REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT PROVIDES NEW GATEWAY The Marina Gateway Plaza after renovation Project Description Property Address: 835 Bay Marina Drive, National City, CA 91950 Property Size: Approximately 1.5 acres Former Uses: Foundry, storage facility/ warehouse, sign manufacturing, automotive repairs Contaminants Found: Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, Petroleum Hydrocarbons Current Use: Vacant land Planned Use: Commercial (restaurants) Current Owner: National City Community Development Commission Project Partners U.S. EPA * City of National City * National City Community Development Commission * Sycuan Tribal Development MRW Group Highlights 1.5 acre property identified as a key to Marina Gateway redevelopment project Burn ash discovered during demolition halted project Phase II ESA found arsenic, lead, mercury and petroleum hydrocarbons contamination $200,000 EPA RLF sub grant solved a community challenge and allowed economic development activities to continue Removal of contaminated soil completed in January 2011 Site closure approval from the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health expected in late spring 2011 Property History This 1.5-acre property was home to various industrial uses dating back to 1888, including: storage, a warehouse for linseed cake meal, a facility for dyeing and tanning cattle skins, manufacturing cabinets, packing, manufacturing signs, repairing autos, and most recently serving as a foundry. The property has been vacant since the National City Community Development Commission purchased the site in 1999 from a variety of private parties. A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) conducted in February 2010 and funded through a forgivable loan from the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR), detected elevated levels of arsenic, lead, mercury and petroleum hydrocarbons. The source of the contamination is unknown. Drivers for Redevelopment The Marina Gateway redevelopment project comprises approximately 1J acres located at Interstate 5 and Bay Marina Drive in National City. The 1.5- acre has been identified as a key to the Marina Gateway redevelopment project. These 11 acres were all used for industrial purposes, became vacant brownfield sites, and subsequently became a focal point for redevelopment in 1995 after the successful approval of entitlements for the National City Marina. The Marina Gateway Hotel and Plazaa 6.35-acre project immediately south of the current project sitewas cleaned up and the hotel, restaurant and ------- Project Timeline 1994 Phase I ESA conducted prior to acquisition by the Community Development Commission 1995 11 acres in gateway area targeted for redevelopment 1999 Community Development Commission purchases the site 2009 Community Development Commission starts demolition of two vacant buildings on the site 2/2010 Phase II ESA conducted on site 7/2010 EPA RLF subgrant awarded 1/2011 Removal of contaminated soil completed Spring 2011 Site closure approval expected commercial building on the site opened in 2009. The next phase of development includes two components: 1) $4 million in public improvements on Bay Marina Drive and intersecting streets. This includes the construction of a public plaza at the Historic Santa Fe Depot, which is immediately west of the current project site and home to the historic railroad station that was the original terminus of the Intercontinental Railroad. 2) The development of restaurants on two blocks immediately north of the Marina Gateway Hotel and Plaza; one of these blocks is the project site. The commercial uses, specifically restaurants, are desirable to enliven an area that has been vacant and unutilized for more than 10 years, transform the image to a key city gateway, create jobs, and produce tax revenues. Project Results The National City Community Development Commission began demolition of two vacant buildings on the project site in 2009. During the demolition, burn ash was observed below the foundation of one building. As a result, demolition was immediately halted and an ES A was ordered for the property. The Phase IIESA recommended excavation of contaminated soil, sampling of groundwater, and demolition of the remaining foundations. In October 2009, EPA awarded National City a Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant. National City approved an EPA RLF subgrant in the amount of $200,000 to the Community Development Commission on July 6, 2010 for cleanup activities. Since that time a competitive recruitment for consultants was conducted and a work plan for the cleanup is being completed by the selected consultant. Removal of contaminated soils has been completed and a request for site closure has been filed with the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health. The next step is demolition of foundations near the burn ash site. The developer continues to seek tenants for the site and adjacent streetscape beautification has been completed by the city. There is strong investor interest and high hopes remain for project completion. Subsequent property redevelopment will be funded by Sycuan Tribal Development, in partnership with MRW Group (the partnership known as Marina Gateway Development Company). Economic Challenges Encountered The unique challenge of this site was that due to the unknown cause of contamination no responsible party could be found; therefore, there was no funding source for the necessary cleanup. Clearing this site of unsightly buildings was necessary to recruit end users properly. However, the project faltered abruptly when contamination was discovered during building demolition. The EPA RLF solved a community challenge that would have remained unresolved in current economic conditions; it allowed economic development activities to continue despite the appearance of costly unexpected challenges. For additional information, please contact: Patricia Beard Redevelopment Manager/RLF Program Manager City of National City, CA (619)-336-4355 pbeard@nationalcityca.gov Brownfields Region 9 Success Story Marina Gateway, National City, CA May 2012 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |