Brooklyn Heights officials recommend accepting $1.08 million brownfield grant; village match estimated at $360,000

Village of Brooklyn Heights officials recommended moving forward with a $1.08 million government grant to clean up lead contamination at a local brownfield site, with the village’s estimated share about $360,000, Mayor Michael Procuk said at an Ad-Hoc Environment Committee meeting on March 4.

The recommendation came after a presentation and discussion of remediation costs, potential property uses and sale options. Mayor Michael Procuk said he and Council Member Schuckert had pursued initial research and secured an appraiser engagement; the mayor said an appraiser contract and a personal service agreement were available for $1,500 and that he would provide copies for council review.

Engineer Ms. Zoldak told the committee that cost estimates are not guarantees but expressed high confidence the project would not exceed the stated estimates and that the Village’s match likely would not reach the $360,000 figure. Council Member Schuckert asked whether the project could cost more than anticipated; Zoldak repeated that estimates are approximate and answered the committee’s questions about contingency and site work.

Committee members discussed replacing two feet of contaminated soil with clean fill, including reusing non-contaminated material from other parts of the site, and how remediation-related restrictions would affect the County-assessed value of the parcel. Ms. Zoldak said appraisers would factor any restrictions and that limits on portions of the site could lower assessed value. Council Member Walsh noted past developer interest; Zoldak recalled a residential developer inquiry from 2015–2016 that did not result in a sale.

Members and staff reviewed what infrastructure a developer would be expected to install under a sale and development scenario. Ms. Zoldak said a developer would typically be responsible for roads, sewer, water connections, stormwater management and other utilities required as part of development approvals. Mayor Procuk corrected one comment to note the parcel is zoned residential.

The committee discussed possible post-remediation uses if the Village retained the property, including a park, a rented event space or solar panels. Mr. Tommer said he would like to see appraisals showing the property’s value both before and after remediation.

On timing, Ms. Zoldak said that if the project moves forward quickly, the remediation work could be completed by the end of the year and she outlined the process for receiving grant funding. She asked whether the Law Department should prepare draft legislation for the next meeting to consider signing an agreement with the County; Mayor Procuk agreed. No formal motion or vote was recorded during the meeting.

The committee adjourned after there were no further questions.