Carlstadt Grants Head 22 New NJEDA Awards to Reclaim Environmentally Damaged Sites.

Business Editors

TRENTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2001

Multiple grants to the Bergen County Borough of Carlstadt worth a combined $891,488 head a list of 22 new awards by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to fund environmental reclamation in seven New Jersey municipalities.

The 16 grants approved for Carlstadt are all part of the borough's Paterson Plank Road Redevelopment plan. In addition to Carlstadt, projects approved by the NJEDA under the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation (HDSR) program during November are located in Carneys Point Township in Salem County, Hainesport Township and Riverside Township in Burlington County, Northvale Borough in Bergen County, Trenton and Vineland.

"As the new approvals demonstrate, the HDSR program enables municipalities across New Jersey to get a head start on investigating and reclaiming environmentally damaged land to reuse it for new residential, commercial or industrial development," said Caren S. Franzini, executive director of the NJEDA. She added, "The awards to Carlstadt reflect how this program can help communities move ahead with major redevelopment plans as well as with the reclamation of smaller sites."

Franzini further noted, "The need for this program in a state as densely populated as New Jersey is demonstrated in the ever expanding list of projects presented to the NJEDA each month. New Jersey has a diminishing supply of land for development but the HDSR program makes it possible to increase the amount of space available for new economic development."

The NJEDA and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) operate the program jointly.

"Since 1994, more than $43 million in funding has been disbursed to municipalities for more than 500 projects. Successful brownfield redevelopment projects have improved the quality of life in numerous areas across our state by solving environmental problems and providing businesses a place to locate. New Jersey's brownfield program is having a major impact on urban revitalization without having to develop in farmlands and open space areas," said DEP Commissioner Bob Shinn.

      The new awards are:

      -   Carlstadt, 16 grants, each for $55,718, for preliminary
        assessment and site investigation of 12.7 acres contained in
        the 210-acre Paterson Plank Road Redevelopment plan, which
        incorporates 148 properties. The borough has designated the
        Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission as redevelopment
        agency for the plan. Under the plan, the borough will utilize
        the land for redevelopment to include offices, restaurants,
        entertainment attractions, and retail stores. Environmental
        work on other parts of the total redevelopment site that are
        not eligible for HDSR assistance are being funded by a pilot
        grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
        Carneys Point, $121,743 for preliminary assessment and site
        investigation of a 5.66-acre parcel of land known as the Shell
        Road site. Formerly used as a general contractor's paving and
        road work facility, the site will be redeveloped for
        residential and commercial use.
        Hainesport, $37,250 for preliminary assessment and
        investigation of the former Hardware/Industrial Tool site at
        Route 38 and Creek Road. The township plans new commercial
        development on the site when the environmental investigation
        is complete.
        Northvale, $38,526 for investigation of approximately four
        acres formerly occupied by a dry cleaning facility. Northvale
        plans to subdivide the site for residential development and
        commercial use.
        Riverside, $8,375 for preliminary assessment at a seven-acre
        site on Pavilion Avenue formerly used as a commercial plumbing
        supply shop. The location is part of the township's Golden
        Triangle Redevelopment Area and will be redeveloped for
        residential, commercial and retail use. A portion of the site
        has been designated as open space to augment an adjacent park
        and waterfront area.
        Trenton, $5,656 to complete site
        investigation at 250 Ewing Street, a 2.58-acre parcel
        contained in the city's Coal Port Redevelopment Plan earmarked
        for future industrial or commercial use. The grant supplements
        a prior award of $53,714 for preliminary assessment and
        investigation of the site.
        Vineland, $18,340 to complete
        investigation of a site at 701 East Elmer and 109 South
        Seventh Streets. The site is an abandoned gas station for
        which the city received a prior grant of $62,030 for
        preliminary assessment and investigation. It will be
        redeveloped for commercial use.

HDSR 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 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.

According to Susan Boyle, assistant commissioner for NJDEP's Site Remediation Program, 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], or contact the NJEDA at (609) 292- 0350 or by e-mail to [e-mail].

The NJEDA was established in 1974 to encourage business expansion and create jobs in New Jersey. It has arranged for nearly $15 billion in financing assistance since its inception. For more information about the NJEDA and its programs, call [phone], visit www.njeda.com, or send an e-mail to [e-mail] .