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• Introduction
• City of Niagara Falls Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot Program (EPA)
• Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot - Supplemental Assistance (EPA)
• Brownfields Showcase Community (EPA)
• Other Coordinated Brownfield Redevelopment Efforts
• Clean Water / Clean Air Bond Act Environmental Restoration Projects - (NYS DEC)
• New York State Voluntary Cleanup Program - (NYS DEC)
• City of Niagara Falls, NY Design Workshop, November 2, 1999 (requires Adobe Acrobat)
• For More Information
  
  
  
  Introduction
  
  Definition:
  
  Brownfields are abandoned, idle, or under-used properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination. They typically are former industrial or commercial properties where operations may have resulted in environmental contamination. Brownfields often pose not only environmental, but legal and financial burdens on communities. Left vacant, contaminated sites can diminish property value of surrounding sites and potentially threaten the economic viability of adjoining properties.
  
  History:
  
  The City of Niagara Falls' brownfields are the remains of an industrial-tourist economy that has lost two-thirds of its industrial jobs over the last four decades. The factories now closed, these industrial and commercial sites sit stagnant throughout Niagara Falls. While demographic shifts and the overall trend away from heavy industry have contributed to this problem, another important factor hindering redevelopment has been environmental liabilities, both real and perceived, stemming from soil contamination and groundwater pollution. Because of this, developers look to develop 'greenfield' sites in suburban or rural areas to place their businesses.
  
  Problem:
  
  The choice to develop greenfields over brownfields is largely based on combined factors of expense and liability. Business, industry, and banks are often reluctant to consider brownfield sites for redevelopment because of the high cost to achieve stringent cleanup standards (which can often exceed the market value of the property) combined with the potential liabilities imposed under federal and state environmental laws.
  
  All of these factors contribute to urban sprawl, which is usually defined as uncontrolled, low-density suburban development that spreads rapidly on the fringes of existing communities. The result: isolation of the poor and elderly who have no cars or can no longer drive. Diminished community ties, segregation by economic status, and uneven distribution of affordable housing.
  
  Efforts to fix the problem:
  
  The City of Niagara Falls brownfields redevelopment efforts are managed mainly through the City's Office of Environmental Services. The goals of the City's Brownfield Redevelopment Efforts is to:

• Perform Phase I / Phase II site-testing on abandoned properties to determine the extent of contamination (if any); develop an appropriate remedy for clean-up and; provide clean-up cost estimates for potential developers
• Perform remediation of selected brownfields by combining state initiatives (Clean Water / Clean Air Bond Act funding; Voluntary Cleanup Program) with funding from Community Development Block Grants.

Programs from the Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (www.dec.state.ny.us) assist the City with testing and clean-up efforts. The following is a brief description of initiatives and projects that the Office of Environmental Services manages:

To view the fact-sheets, you will need Adobe Reader. You can download your free copy of Adobe Acrobat here: 

City of Niagara Falls Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot Program (EPA):

In 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the City of Niagara Falls a $200,000 Brownfields Assessment Pilot Grant. The City decided to focus its initial redevelopment efforts on the Highland area of the city.

The Highland neighborhood is a relatively small self-contained area in the northern portion of the city covering approximately 560 acres, with land almost equally distributed between residential and industrial uses. The predominantly minority community suffers from high unemployment, low-income, blight and environmental challenges. There's no denying the exodus of industry over the last 30 years has negatively impacted Niagara Falls and Highland area, denying the direct benefits of jobs and taxes. Large tracts of abandoned and/or underused industrial lands have become disheartening symbols of the city's industrial decline.

The City of Niagara Falls, with the help of a twenty-member neighborhood advisory committee, developed a mixed use Redevelopment Plan for the Highland Avenue area, tying brownfield redevelopment into an overall improvement plan for the neighborhood. This initiative is an excellent example of a community-driven process, utilizing the expertise of the local planning community, the private sector, and funding partners at all levels of government.

Designed by Parsons Transportation Group, DeLeuw, Cather & Co., the Redevelopment Plan recommends a series of strategic public investments to leverage private reuse of brownfield sites. The plan identifies constraints and opportunities- translating this information into a realistic redevelopment concept. Areas for economic and commercial development, transportation improvements, parks and recreation enhancements, residential infill and neighborhood amenities and environmental restoration are identified in the redevelopment plan.

The community's voice has been heard loud and clear: Jobs for neighborhood residents are critical. To that end, the City is concentrating on making vacant and blighted property available for redevelopment; with the critical first step toward economic development being environmental site assessments.

EPA funds were used to perform site-investigations on seven sites in the Highland area of the City. Of the seven sites tested, one was redeveloped (Standard Ceramics), and two additional sites were remediated and ready for redevelopment. The remaining sites are planned for remediation under other brownfield programs. For more information on the plan, please visit our Strategic Planning (http://www.nfedz.org/planning/programs/strat-plan.htm) page.

Also available to view is the EPA's fact-sheet on the Pilot Program.


Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot - Supplemental Assistance (EPA):

In 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency again awarded Niagara Falls with financial assistance aimed towards exploring brownfields solutions. The City plans to perform investigations on brownfields along the Buffalo Avenue Corridor. In addition, the City plans to develop a Redevelopment Plan for Buffalo Avenue Industrial Corridor and the surrounding neighborhood areas. Community consultation and stakeholder involvement will again be a major part of the planning process.

To view the EPA's fact-sheet on our Supplemental Assistance Pilot, click here.

Brownfields Showcase Community (EPA):

Brownfields Showcase Communities are selected by the EPA to demonstrate the benefits of collaborative activity on brownfields. The Niagara Region (Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Erie County, Niagara County) was selected in October of 2000 as one of 12 new 'Showcase Communities'. As a Showcase Community, the Niagara Region will benefit from a designated federal employee and the resources of over 15 federal agencies to help address local cleanup and reuse issues in a more ecologically sustainable and collaborative manner.

To view the EPA's fact-sheet on the Niagara Region Brownfields Showcase Community, click here.


Other Coordinated Brownfield Redevelopment Efforts:

Niagara County Brownfield Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund Pilot (EPA) - Fact Sheet

Brownfields Job Training and Development Demonstration Pilot (EPA)- Fact Sheet


Clean Water / Clean Air Bond Act Environmental Restoration Projects - (NYS DEC)

In addition to the redevelopment efforts coordinated through EPA programs, the City of Niagara Falls coordinates brownfield testing and cleanup efforts through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Recent sites remediated this year under the Bond Act include:

2201 Lockport Street - In February of 2001, the City contracted the cleanup of an abandoned gas station in the Highland neighborhood. Two Underground Storage Tanks (UST's) were removed, and the building will eventually be demolished.

2014 11th Street - In May of 2001, the City began the cleanup of an abandoned gas station / car wash in the Highland neighborhood. Numerous underground storage tanks and pump islands were removed. Due to probable soil contamination, additional soil removal is likely to occur. The building is also likely to be demolished as part of the remediation.

Remediation work at 2014 11th Street.

Additional sites under investigation this year where remediation is not yet determined include:

Power City Warehouse Site (3123 Highland Avenue) - The City has completed its initial assessment of the site. Plans are in development for remediation under the NYS Bond Act.

Tract II Site (3001 Highland Avenue) - The City is prepared to apply for cleanup funding for the site once the DEC releases a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) and Record of Decision (ROD).

For more information, please visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Web Page - http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/der/bfieldfs.html


New York State Voluntary Cleanup Program - (NYS DEC)

Because of contamination and liability issues, private landowners are often reluctant to test, sell, or redevelop their idle properties. The City of Niagara Falls recognizes the importance of helping private landowners redevelop their properties and works with private landowners to discuss the benefits of the New York State Voluntary Cleanup Program.

The City's Office of Environmental Services and NYS DEC can provide technical assistance to landowners. The city will also consider financial assistance for investigations that lead to cleanup and/or redevelopment.

New York's Voluntary Cleanup Program is a cooperative approach among the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), lenders, developers and prospective purchasers to investigate and/or remediate contaminated sites and return these sites to productive use.

For more information on this state program, please visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation web page - http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/der/vcp/vcpfs.html


For More Information:

Office of Environmental Services
City Hall
745 Main Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14302-0069

Phone: (716) 286-4460 / 286-4462
Fax: (716) 286-4485
E-mail: mjurkows@nfedz.org

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