August Newsletter – Transforming Contaminated Sites into Community Assets

BETA’s environmental services team is dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions for a wide range of environmental challenges. From site assessments and remediation to regulatory compliance and sustainable redevelopment, our experts are committed to improving the environment and fostering community revitalization. This month, we are proud to spotlight some of our key projects and the dedicated professionals leading these efforts.

Brownfields Redevelopment in Chicopee

BETA’s environmental team is leading the transformation of the former Uniroyal and Facemate site in Chicopee Falls, one of Massachusetts’ largest brownfield sites. This long-abandoned, industrialized site had numerous buildings in disrepair and contaminated with asbestos, lead-based paint, PCBs, and other hazardous materials. Robert Smith, LSP, is spearheading BETA’s collaboration with the City of Chicopee to prepare the site for redevelopment as part of the RiverMills at Chicopee Falls Vision Plan.

The site has already seen successful redevelopment, with the construction of the RiverMills Senior Center by the City of Chicopee and RiverMills Assisted Living at Chicopee Falls by a private developer. Currently, a third parcel is being developed for mixed-use purposes, including a 107-unit apartment building, an indoor sports complex, a brewery, and a restaurant. The final parcel, which required extensive assessment and remediation, is a 9.58-acre portion of the former Uniroyal manufacturing facility. Cleanup is nearly complete, and the City has solicited private redevelopment proposals for the property.

BETA is proud to contribute to transforming this blighted industrial property into a vibrant mixed-use and residential area for Chicopee’s residents. Click to read more.

Saint Gobain Manufacturing Site Cleanup

New Garden Park, a non-profit subsidiary of the Worcester Business Development Corporation, is revitalizing Worcester’s “Greendale Campus,” the former Saint-Gobain site. Since 2015, BETA has assessed contamination in the area. With a new USEPA Brownfields Grant, BETA will focus on an eight-acre section, providing environmental engineering and Licensed Site Professional (LSP) services. This project supports Worcester’s industrial revival, facilitating hazardous material abatement, demolition of obsolete buildings, and soil and groundwater remediation. The redevelopment will turn vacant parcels into productive use, create jobs, increase tax revenue, and improve public access to the area. Read more about this project here.

City Pier PCB Investigation and Remediation in Fall River

BETA’s work in Fall River has played a crucial role in transforming City Pier into a valuable community asset. Over nearly a decade, our team has tackled complex contamination challenges, including PCB investigation and remediation, to ensure the area is safe for public use.

We recently celebrated the grand opening of new docks at the Pier. This project has turned a once-vacant parcel into a vibrant multi-use marina, providing the community with enhanced recreational opportunities and supporting local revitalization efforts, which showcases the positive impact of thorough environmental cleanup and sustainable redevelopment. Read more about this project here.

Upcoming Funding Opportunities

Interested in transforming your community’s brownfield sites? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to announce new funding opportunities for FY 2025 in September 2024.

These anticipated grants, including Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants, aim to support the assessment, remediation, and sustainable redevelopment of brownfield sites. For more information, visit the EPA’s brownfields funding page. Don’t miss out on the chance to revitalize your community!

Sharing Our Experience and Insights

Joe McLoughlin, BETA’s Vice President of Environmental Services, co-presented with representatives from the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) at MassDEP’s Central Massachusetts Brownfields Roundtable Discussion held on June 25th in Fitchburg, MA. This event brought together a diverse group of professionals including town administrators, municipal planners, economic development officials, real estate developers, engineers, environmental professionals, financers, lenders, and brownfields property owners.

BETA has been assisting MRPC with site assessments and remediation since 2019, and this roundtable provided a valuable opportunity to share our experiences and insights. The event featured presentations from key organizations including MassDEP, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), MassDevelopment, the MRPC, and the UConn Technical Assistance to Brownfields program.

We were grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion and to learn from our peers in the field. Thank you to all who attended and made this event a success.

Employee Spotlight: Robert Smith, LSP

A Licensed Site Professional (LSP) with over 25 years of experience, Rob Smith is a cornerstone of BETA’s environmental team. He brings extensive expertise in site assessments, remediation, and regulatory compliance across multiple states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and Vermont. Rob’s proficiency in managing complex brownfield projects, especially those involving state and federal funding, has led to numerous successful outcomes.

Rob is at the helm of the transformative redevelopment of the former Uniroyal/Facemate facility in Chicopee. His leadership involves thorough environmental assessments and remediation efforts to tackle contamination issues, setting the stage for future development. Rob’s innovative approach and commitment to excellence are key to turning this site into a thriving community asset.

Rob’s vast experience and passion for environmental stewardship make him an invaluable asset to BETA and a trusted partner to our clients. Learn more about Rob here.

Ready to make a difference on your community?

BETA will challenge you with interesting work and offers the potential for growth and advancement. We are currently looking for talented staff across many of our disciplines in offices throughout New England. Browse our current job openings.

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