Ocala advisory committee reviews Brownfields grant progress and draft revitalization plan

The Ocala Brownfields/CRA advisory committee on May 9 heard a quarterly update on EPA Brownfields-funded work, including assessments, community outreach and a draft revitalization plan for a study area along West Silver Springs Boulevard.

Committee staff told members the program has completed field work and technical studies and has used roughly 73% of its current grant funding. “We have a balance of $133,277 remaining in grama funding,” the presenter said, adding that the committee has planned about $95,000 in additional expenses and has until next September to spend the grant dollars.

The report summarized recent field activity and consulting work. Committee staff said they had completed site assessments and studies, updated a GIS database to map sites in the study area, and prepared a community involvement plan. A consultant-provided cost estimate for full cleanup of one city-owned parcel — including removal of a groundwater use restriction and remaining soil remediation — was quoted at $595,000; staff said that figure would form the basis of a cleanup-grant application next year.

Why it matters: the revitalization plan lays out a mix of residential and commercial uses for the block, and the committee emphasized that city-owned parcels are likely to be redeveloped first because the city has more control over those sites. That sequencing affects which properties could be eligible for early implementation funding and redevelopment solicitations.

Committee members and members of the public asked about outreach and procurement. Staff said the draft plan envisions mixed-use development, pedestrian connections to Lealand Bryant Park and West Branch Park, a mix of single-family and higher-density housing, small to medium businesses and open space. The presentation included an example project along West Silver Springs Boulevard that had completed a Phase I assessment before construction and is expected to finish by July; staff said another project in the packet was estimated at about $2,800,000.

On groundwater restrictions and cleanup timing, staff said consultants are in communication with the state about removing a groundwater restriction on a portion of a parcel and that the state’s response will determine next steps and the required testing to “prove that those contaminants are no longer a concern for the property.” The committee was told that, depending on the state’s response, the cleanup grant application would cover some remediation costs and that CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) funds might also be available because the property lies inside the CRA.

Public engagement and next steps: staff said the revitalization-plan draft is nearly final and that consultants are making minor refinements before staff circulates the document to the public. The committee plans a wrap-up community event to present findings; staff said they would work with the public information office and the regional community manager to offer multiple meeting times and to share simplified materials for public distribution. Staff also said outreach would continue to recruit new applicants for Phase I assessments and, if funds permit, possibly one Phase II assessment before the grant cycle ends.

Committee members raised a few administrative items about the draft materials: staff acknowledged the packet contains some outdated contact names and said those would be removed. Staff also confirmed there are three vacant seats on the advisory committee and encouraged recommendations for candidates.

The committee placed no formal vote on the revitalization plan at this meeting; staff said the plan would be finalized and presented for public review at a future meeting.