Renew Ocala

Renew Ocala is a city project designed to resolve questions concerning environmental contamination of properties in the city's Brownfields area."

What Are "brownfields"?

Brownfields are defined as "abandoned, idled, or underutilized industrial or commercial properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination." These sites may be economically impaired by a negative environmental stigma. (For further information, please see the Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment Site from the EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.)

The Ocala Brownfield Area #1 (simultaneous boundaries with the original downtown community redevelopment area) is bounded by the Ocala Union Station & CSX tracks on the north, Watula Avenue to the east, U.S. 441/Pine Street on the west, and S.W. 10th Street to the south.  The Ocala Brownfield Area #2 (simultaneous boundaries with the North Magnolia Redevelopment Area) is bounded by the Ocala Union Station & CSX tracks on the south and southeast, N.E.8th Avenue to the east, US 441/N Pine Avenue on the west, and 20th Street to the norteast and northwest. The West Ocala Brownfields Expansion Area extends from Pine Street West to NW 27th Ave. with a north boundary of US 27 and a south boundary ranging from SR 40 to SW 10th St. Please see the Brownfields Study Areas Map for more detail.

A typical brownfield site in Ocala might be a corner gas station, automotive repair or body shop, or former dry cleaner.

What is the actual environmental status of the City of Ocala?

Compared to other cities of the same size, Ocala has a very favorable environmental status.  Contrary to what may be concluded, the City of Ocala did not accept designation as a Brownfields area because of large amounts of contamination.   Acceptance was based upon the availability of Federal funds that could serve to benefit the community.

Like thousands of cities around the country, Ocala has had its share of abandoned gas stations and dry cleaners.  With available Federal Brownfields funds RENEW OCALA is seeking to determine exactly what sites have environmental concerns and to what extent.   The City of Ocala has never faced the monumental task many other cities have regarding the clean up of huge industrial complexes.

Through research of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) database information, RENEW OCALA has learned that a few minor contaminations have occurred over the years and were discovered during the FDEP underground tank removal program conducted in the late 1980s and early 1990s.  However, most of these can be easily  cleaned up and the properties can be made market ready for sale and redevelopment.  The Brownfields program allows these assessments and cleanups to be conducted more expediently, cutting through much of the federal red tape associated with larger remediation projects.

Hundreds of cities competed to obtain available Brownfields funds. Ocala is very fortunate to have been selected over so many others.  We were not selected because we were more contaminated; the City of Ocala was selected because we proved to be more active in our desire to create and maintain a healthy environment for our community and its people.

What are the advantages of developing on brownfields?

Brownfields are attractive commercial sites because state and federal legislation removes the barriers and associated stigma from their redevelopment in four key ways.

First, the legislation provides limited liability for lenders on brownfield sites. Thus, capital for the acquisition and improvement of contaminated sites is freed up allowing for increased redevelopment potential. Banks that don't take a day to day role in the management of contaminated brownfield facilities will not be held liable for contamination if properties go to foreclosure.

Second, the legislation provides protection for the prospective purchaser who enters into a brownfields rehabilitation agreement. If the prospective purchasers meet the terms of the agreement, they will not be held responsible for pollution they did not create. While the agreement requires some assessment and remediation, the uncertainty of the liability caused by a previous owner is removed.

Third, the legislation also provides "risk based cleanup options", where cleanup is based on the site specific use of the property and not on a general cleanup standard. For example, a facility to be used for light industry will not be held to the same cleanup standards as a facility to be used for a day care center. This risk based cleanup option can greatly reduce remedial costs, and protect public health through reducing potential exposure, considering property usage and/or reducing contamination levels where needed.

Fourth and finally, the legislation creates a more streamlined review process for the assessment and remediation of Brownfield Sites. Under the state legislation, those responsible for the assessment and review will be allowed to proceed at their own risk. This reduces greatly the time required for the overall process. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has staff assigned to each district to deal specifically with brownfield sites, thus expediting the process.

What are the City of Ocala's plans for local brownfields projects?

Ocala is one of the local governments to receive state & federal funding to implement the Renew OCALA Brownfields Redevelopment Plan. This funding is being used to continue activities outlined in Ocala's Environmental Protection Agency-approved work plan. These activities include:

• Phase I and II environmental assessments for otherwise market-ready brownfield sites;
• Assistance to property owners and prospective purchasers with research and interpretation of environmental options; and
• The support of a Brownfield Advisory Board which  provides for public & community input on brownfields activities.

This significant legislation has already begun to stimulate interest and inquiries regarding the redevelopment of the Ocala Brownfields Areas. This redevelopment should translate into a stimulated economy, jobs for the surrounding community, and environmental restoration of contaminated sites.