FROED One Government Center Fall River, MA 02722-7700 Tel 508-324-2620 Fax 508-677-2840 info@froed.org		FALL RIVER CITY PIER AMONG PILOT SITES TO GET BROWNFIELDS SUPPORT New England Business Bulletin, September 2008 - Page 21 BOSTON — Five sites across the Commonwealth including City Pier in Fall River have been selected for assistance through the state's new Brownfields Support Team initiative, the governor's office announced recently. The multi-agency initiative aims to help communities clean up contaminated sites and prepare them for redevelopment. The five selected pilot sites are the former Chapman Valve/Crane Co. site in Springfield; South Worcester Industrial Park in Worcester; Fisherville Mill in Grafton; City Pier in Fall River; and Ted's for Tires in Haverhill. The city of Fall River has targeted the four-acre City Pier site for mixed-use redevelopment with potential plans to include a hotel, restaurant, marina and office space. Located along the Taunton River in a state-designated Environmental Justice community, the pier is adjacent to a proposed commuter rail station with potential service to Boston. But redevelopment of the site has been complicated by the presence of PCBs in soil and sediments. The five pilot sites were selected based on their location within Gateway Communities and Gateway Regions where MassDEP is providing technical assistance; in Growth Districts and/or 43D streamlined-permitting zones identified by EOHED; and in areas prioritized for municipal assistance by MassDevelopment. "Redeveloping these sites will boost local economies, restore historic waterfronts, offer manufacturers easy access to major highways and railways, provide housing, shopping and recreational opportunities, and spur further development in downtown areas," Governor Deval Patrick said in a released statement. More than 713 brownfield sites in 203 Massachusetts communities have received assistance from the Commonwealth's landmark Brownfields program since its inception in 1998, and the Brownfields Support Team initiative will expand upon that success as the law marks its 10th anniversary in August. The Brownfields Support Teams will work with communities to identify site and project specific issues that are hindering redevelopment of key properties. Support provided by the Brownfields Support Teams may include expedited site inspections, reviews, and approvals by MassDEP; technical assistance on expedited permitting from EOHED; funding for assessment and cleanup from MassDevelopment; and coordination with the Attorney General's Office on liability issues. Back