West Allis acquires former Motor Castings site for $100; CDA authorizes environmental and legal contracts
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Summary
City staff told the CDA it purchased the former Motor Castings property for $100 because of remediation liability, applied for a $4 million EPA grant, and the board approved a $750,000 contract amendment for environmental services and a $90,000 legal services amendment to support remediation and development. Cleanup estimates remain uncertain.
The City of West Allis has taken ownership of the former Motor Castings site and the Community Development Authority approved contracting to begin environmental assessment and remediation.
Patrick, speaking for CDA staff, said the city acquired the six‑acre Motor Castings parcel for $100 after environmental testing showed substantial contamination and cleanup responsibility. "We purchased the property ... for the low purchase price of a $100," he said, adding earlier offers (including an $800,000 offer to start investigations) were superseded by the environmental findings and subsequent negotiation.
Staff reported a $4,000,000 application has been submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for brownfield cleanup funding and that the city can also use EPA revolving loan funds, state brownfield grants and other revolving loan resources if needed. Patrick estimated a cleanup range of roughly $1 million to $2 million for a primary hot spot but cautioned costs could be higher depending on final testing results.
To move remediation forward, the CDA voted to authorize an amendment with Rambo American Engineering Solutions Inc. for environmental services and site oversight, not to exceed $750,000, funded from TIF 7 and EPA Brownfield assessment grants. The board also approved up to $90,000 in additional legal services for Foley & Lardner to advance development agreements and DNR/consultation steps.
Board members pressed staff on cost uncertainty and contract oversight; staff said outside counsel and consultants experienced with brownfield sites will manage the remediation scope and that some work could be managed by developers using loaned funds under EPA programs. The CDA also ratified a prior amendment that formally records the negotiated $100 purchase price.
Next steps
Staff will begin contracted site testing and oversight work, pursue EPA grant awards expected in the summer timetable described in the record, and return to the CDA with specific remediation contracts or project proposals if additional funds or approvals are required.