Camden's Nipper Building Among Eight Projects to Receive NJEDA Environmental Remediation Grants.

Business Editors

TRENTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 2001

Restoration of the historic Nipper Building, a Camden landmark, will move forward with environmental remediation as the result of a major grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

The project is one of eight new grants totaling $661,506 approved under the state's Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation (HDSR) program.

The NJEDA has approved an application by the Camden Redevelopment Agency for a $462,433 grant covering preliminary site assessment and remedial investigation of the Nipper Building restoration project. Other municipalities awarded HDSR grants this month by the NJEDA are Riverside in Burlington County, Berkeley Township in Ocean County and Quinton Township in Salem County.

"For decades the Nipper Building was an RCA manufacturing facility and a landmark in Camden," said Anthony R. Coscia, chairman of the NJEDA. "The building is famed for the stained glass window at the top depicting the old RCA logo of Nipper the dog listening to a phonograph. This grant is an important element in the decision to restore the Nipper Building and plans to convert it to condominiums as part of the revitalization of the Camden waterfront."

"The HDSR is a program to reclaim environmentally damaged brownfield sites in towns and cities throughout the state. Most such projects are not as well known as the Nipper Building, but are just as important to the revitalization plans of municipalities across New Jersey," said Caren S. Franzini, executive director of the NJEDA.

Brownfield is the term for land that has perceived or actual environmental damage

Add 1: HDSR September Approvals

In addition to the Camden Nipper Building, other grants approved by the NJEDA are: Berkeley Township, $67,726 for site investigation at the former A. Kurnel & Son gasoline service station at 821 Route 9. The property is located on 3.6 acres of land that the township has earmarked for future retail/commercial or office use. Riverside, five $8,375 grants totaling $41,875 for preliminary assessment of five sites that comprise the 32-acre Golden Triangle Redevelopment Area, a key element in Riverside's Transit Village Redevelopment Plan. The redevelopment area is slated for new residential, commercial and retail use and has been planned to include a park and waterfront area. The sites include a former New Jersey Transit bus repair facility, a former industrial facility, an office building, a metal recycling facility and an auto repair establishment. Quinton, $89,472 for preliminary assessment and investigation of a 10-acre parcel at 20 Cohansey Road that is suspected of having been used for illegal dumping. The township may use the site for open space development or for other as yet undetermined uses when it has been cleaned up.

The HDSR program enables municipalities to take sites like former gas stations, former manufacturing buildings and contaminated former residential building lots and restore them environmentally so that they can be reused for constructive new development.

Program funding is available to New Jersey municipalities for sites they have acquired through foreclosure or purchase or on which they hold tax sale certificates. Municipalities can apply for grants or loans under the program, which also can be accessed by businesses and other private entities.

The NJEDA and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) operate the program jointly. The NJDEP reviews applications to determine eligibility and the scope of work needed to investigate and restore each site. The NJEDA manages the fund and makes grants or loans to projects the NJDEP finds eligible.

Susan Boyle, assistant commissioner for NJDEP's Site Remediation Program, notes that, "The HDSR is a valuable resource to municipalities that enables them to clean up contaminated properties and encourages redevelopment in a way that protects the environment and promotes good planning and open space initiatives in the state." - more -

Add 2: HDSR September Approvals

The program provides funds for preliminary assessment of suspected contaminated sites, investigation to collect and evaluate data about the environmental contamination of a site, remedial investigation to examine contamination and the problems associated with it, and remedial action to design site cleanups.

Municipalities can apply for funding for sites never used officially by local government, and can qualify for up to $2 million per year in total grant and loan assistance for all projects within their boundaries.

Municipalities seeking additional information about the program can contact the NJDEP at [phone] or by e-mail at [e-mail]. They can also contact the NJEDA at [phone] or by e-mail to [e-mail].

The NJEDA was established in 1974 to promote economic growth and create jobs. It has arranged for nearly $15 billion in financing since its inception. For more information about the NJEDA and its programs, call [phone] or visit NJEDA's website at www.njeda.com.