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Goshen approves up to $685,825 from brownfield fund for Western Rubber cleanup
Summary
The Board of Public Works and Safety approved a brownfield revolving loan fund grant to support soil remediation at the former Western Rubber site at 620 E. Douglas, tying the funding to the development agreement with AP Development and Legacy Communities.
The Goshen City Board of Public Works and Safety voted unanimously to enter into an agreement with Legacy Communities Inc., AP Development LLC and AP Cycle Works LLC to use the city's Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund to help pay for soil remediation at the former Western Rubber site at 620 East Douglas Street.
Becky Hessel of the redevelopment department told the board the request "is not to exceed $685,825," and that the fund currently holds just under $900,000, leaving capacity for future projects. She said the city previously demolished structures and achieved a recreational/industrial closure but that deeper soils will require additional work to support the planned apartment development.
The remediation will be performed by contractors on site under environmental oversight; Hessel said the developer is working with IWM and CNE on excavation and sampling and the city would not be responsible for backfilling with clean material. Hessel added the private investment tied to the project is substantial: "I believe the private investment is just over 30,000,000 through AP Development." She said the development will include residential units and a small commercial space.
Board members discussed an updated redlined version of the agreement that was presented at the meeting. City legal counsel confirmed a motion to approve may reference the version submitted at the meeting rather than the packet copy. A board member moved to approve the agreement as provided at the meeting; the motion carried unanimously.
The board record shows the grant will be tied back to the original economic development agreement for the site so the remediation and development remain connected. Hessel said work over the past six months included additional sampling and grid work to better define contamination and ensure proper handling of soils.
Notes from the meeting indicate the city will monitor remaining funds in the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund, which Hessel said will still have money available after this award. No schedule for final remediation completion was specified in the presentation.
