ASTI

Urban and Brownfield properties remain tremendous redevelopment opportunities because of location, existing infrastructure, and in many cases, an authentic sense of place. But these opportunities require a clear plan to address environmental and infrastructure management, and a method to obtain gap financing for extraordinary redevelopment costs and challanges. For the right type of project, Brownfield incentives can provide the assistance necessary to fill those financing gaps.

So what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word Environmental Consultant – tree huger, hired gun, necessary evil or a valued asset who your company relies on to mitigate risk and expense of environmental challenges ??

An Environmental Concerns Assessment (ECA) can help address real and perceived environmental impediments to redevelopment by providing a summary of available environmental information, the identification of areas of concern, and a strategy for assessing site conditions or  controlling known impacts. In addition, the ECA can be used to evaluate optimal redevelopment strategies and available redevelopment incentives. An ECA blends environmental review, end use strategies, and development incentives into a single document that will help focus  redevelopoment efforts and provide a basis for a shared redevelopment vision.

Achieving and maintaining compliance with all local, state and federal regulations is a perpetual process. It’s important for facility managers to remember that parking lot runoff, parts cleaning processes, outdoor storage of raw materials, manufacturing scrap and rejects, painting/printing/adhesive processes, chemicals used in manufacturing, vent hoods and booths, secondary containment and spill prevention systems are all subject to regulations.

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) is the best money you can spend - Why ??

If you lived in Michigan last Spring, or closely followed the new administration, you know that one of Governor Snyder’s first acts was to eliminate the dreaded Michigan Business Tax (MBT) and to replace it with a 6% corporate income tax on “C” corporations.

Environmental issues subject to Michigan and federal environmental law can be present in any facility, whether you a re planning new construction, remodeling existing structures, or managing historical buildings.  For professional facility managers, energy efficiency and waste management have become routine, and resources are available for continuous improvement.  Other environmental issues arise infrequently, usually in the middle of major changes.

Amendments to Part 201 of the Michigan Natural Resouces and Environmental Protection Act were signed into law by former Governor Gramholm on December 14, 2010.  The amendments took effect immediately, and the business community is adjusting to the benefits and difficulties posed by the latest changes to Michigan environmental law.

The New Reality?

The Governors new budget appears to be putting the axe to real estate incentive programs in Michigan.  Although the details are not yet clear, and the gauntlet net yet run, we wanter to inform our clients and supporters about what we know and what we anticipate.  As this develops we will keep you informed.  If we are currently preparing incentives programs for your project, we will contact you individually to craft a strategy.

So you found some real estate that's priced right, well located and you also have an LOI with a credit worthy tenant - now your lender mentions something about having to do an AAI compliant Phase I per ASTM E1527-05 guidelines because they're concerned about wetlands and the site may even be a brownfield.

Sure to stir debate, Michigan's Public Act 120 of 2009 (PA 120) was enacted  to amend Part 303, Wetlands Protection, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA), 1994 PA 451, as amended as well as to secure funding to enable the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) to maintain the administration of Section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act.  Michigan's $4 million program is funded, in part, by permit fees and the soft drink bottle and can deposit kitty.

At $484 million, The State of Michigan has received the largest per capita award of Neighborhood Stabilization Program I/II funds (NSP) than any other State in the Nation and the clock is ticking.