Number
111293
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. DAVIS
Title
Resolution authorizing environmental testing, remediation and demolition on brownfield properties from the Development Fund and the Brownfield Program.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of City Development to proceed with a proactive program of testing and remediation of brownfield sites with redevelopment potential, utilizing $700,000 of which $200,000 was appropriated to the 2008 Development Fund for a private loan that did not materialize, and which $500,000 was appropriated to the 2012 Brownfield Program, including $250,000 for city-wide brownfields and $250,000 for special assessments on properties located in the Menomonee Valley Industrial Center.
Body
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee (“City”) has recognized that brownfield properties, whose use and redevelopment are complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination, are an important factor affecting tax delinquency, blight and other development issues facing the City; and
Whereas, The Menomonee Valley Industrial Center (“MVIC”) includes brownfield properties owned privately and by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee (“RACM”) requiring special tax assessments in the approximate amount of $250,000 per year; and
Whereas, State laws, particularly regarding municipal liability exemptions and cost recovery, allow the City to be more aggressive in dealing with brownfields with limited risk; and
Whereas, The City desires to take a proactive approach toward reclaiming brownfields and specifically provided funds to the Department of City Development's (“DCD”) Development Fund for brownfield activities as a replacement for the previously existing Environmental Testing Subfund; and
Whereas, Environmental testing is important to demonstrate either that properties are clean or to define the extent of contamination so that property transactions and redevelopment may occur; and
Whereas, The addition...
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