jcra jr transportation berry lane pk

8/6/2019 JCRA JR Transportation Berry Lane Pk

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Jersey City Redevelopment Plan EPA Cleanup Grant Proposal

JR Transportation Site

c. Sites Ineligible for Funding: The site is not listed, nor is it proposed for listing, on theNational Priorities List. The site is not subject to Federal unilateral administrativeorders, court orders, administrative orders on consent, or judicial consent decrees issuedto or entered into by parties under CERCLA. The site is not subject to the jurisdiction,custody, or control of the US government.

d. Sites Requiring a Property-Specific Determination: This site does not require aproperty-specific determination.

e. Environmental Assessment Required for Cleanup Proposals: A Phase I / PreliminaryAssessment report was completed in October 2007 for the site in accordance withASTM Standard Practice E1527-05 and in accordance with the NJDEP TechnicalRequirements for Site Remediation (N.J.A.C. 7:26E). A Site Investigation (SI) wasconducted at the site. The results of which are presented in the draft SI report datedOctober 2008. The SI was conducted in accordance the NJDEP TechnicalRequirements for Site Remediation (N.J.A.C. 7:26E). As such, it meets the criteria forconducting an ASTM E1903-97 equivalent Phase II investigation.

f. CERCLA 107 Liability: The JCRA is not potentially liable for contamination at thesite under CERCLA Section 107 as they have not operated the site or were in any wayinvolved with the treatment or disposal of hazardous substances or petroleum productsat the site. Furthermore, the site was acquired via eminent domain thus providing theJCRA with a liability protection afforded to local governments that involuntarilyacquire property.

It should be noted that the former owner, Louis F. Roccio, C. Elliott & et als, continuesto operate at the site without the authorization of the JCRA. The JCRA is currentlytaking steps to have them vacate the property.

g. Enforcement Actions: There are no known ongoing or anticipated environmentalenforcement actions related to the targeted site.

h. Information on Liability and Defenses/Protections:i) Information on the Property Acquisition: The site was acquired in August 2008 viaeminent domain. The JCRA is sole owner of the property (fee simple). The prior ownerwas Louis F. Roccio, C. Elliott & et als. The JCRA has no known familial, contractual,corporate or financial relationships or affiliations with the prior owners and/or operatorsof the site.

ii) Timing and/or Contribution Toward Hazardous Substances Disposal: All knowndisposal of hazardous substances at the site occurred before the JCRA acquired theproperty. The JCRA did not cause or contribute to the release of hazardous substancesat the site. The JCRA has not, at any time, arranged for the disposal of hazardoussubstances at the site or transported hazardous substances to the site.

iii) Pre-Purchase Inquiry: Prior to acquiring the site via eminent domain, the JCRA hadcontracted with Langan Engineering & Environmental Services to conduct a Phase I /Preliminary Assessment. The results of the investigation were incorporated into a

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report completed in October 2007 for the site in accordance with ASTM StandardPractice E1527-05 and in accordance with the NJDEP Technical Requirements for SiteRemediation (N.J.A.C. 7:26E). Langan Engineering & Environmental Servicespersonnel responsible for reports meet the ASTM and EPA criteria for anEnvironmental Professional.

iv) Post-Acquisition Uses: Since acquiring the property in August 2008, the JCRA hasnever operated any activities at the site, nor have they authorized the previous ownersto continue site operations as a bus maintenance, storage and operations facility. TheJCRA is in the process of exercising their legal authority to have the previous siteowners removed from the premises. There is no contractual or other relationshipbetween JCRA, the current property owner, and any previous property owners and/oroperators.

v) Continuing Obligations: The JCRA is committed to complying with all land-userestrictions and institutional controls required at the site, as well as to assisting andcooperating with those performing the cleanup and providing access to the property. Inaddition, the JCRA will comply with all information requests and administrativesubpoenas that have or may be issued in connection with the property; and will provideall legally required notices.

i. Petroleum Sites: This site is not contaminated with petroleum products and, as such,this section is not applicable.

4. Cleanup Authority and Oversight Structure:a. The subject site is part of a larger redevelopment project: Berry Lane Park. The JCRA

applied for admission to the NJDEP Voluntary Cleanup Program in May 2008 for thoseproposed Berry Lane park parcels owned by the City of Jersey City. The Memorandumof Agreement which provides the oversight authority of the NJDEP for the project isbeing expanded to include the subject site. As such, the site cleanup will conform to theState requirements and will be conducted under State oversight until a No FurtherAction Letter is issued for the site ensuring that the cleanup will be protective of humanhealth and the environment.

b. Access to the neighboring properties is not anticipated to be an issue as the immediatelyadjacent parcels are either owned by the City of Jersey City or the JCRA and are part ofthe larger overall Berry Lane Park redevelopment project. Should contaminationassociated with the targeted site be found to have migrated beyond the proposed BerryLane Park boundaries, the NJDEP serving as the lead regulatory agency will not requirethe JCRA to delineate and address off site contamination as the JCRA is not viewed asa Responsible Party due to the fact that the targeted site was acquired via eminentdomain.

5. Cost Share:a. A total remediation budget for the targeted site has been developed. The $715,500

budget for soil remediation at the targeted site includes $28,000 for preparation of aRemedial Action Work Plan; $27,000 for preparation of the remediation bidspecifications; $655,000 for soil source (aka historic fill and chromium contaminated

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soil) remediation; and $5,500 for preparation and filing of the deed notice. Theseactivities will be funded through a combination of this EPA grant application and StateHazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund monies. Thus, of the estimated $715,500required for the remediation of the targeted site, $515,500 in State funds have alreadybeen identified. This leaves a critical gap of approximately $200,000 which will be

filled through the EPA cleanup grant. The grant will leverage significantly more thanthe required 20% match. Additional budget detail is found in the ranking criteria.

b. A hardship waiver for the cost share is not being requested.6. Community Notification: The JCRA provided opportunity for the community to learn of itsintent to apply for this cleanup grant and solicited public comments for incorporation into thegrant application. The JCRA prepared and distributed a project fact sheet to assist withcommunication about the grant application and solicit public comments. An ad was placed inthe predominant area newspaper, The Jersey Journal, on October 10, 2008. A copy of thelegal notice is included in Attachment D. In addition, the public notice and fact sheet were alsoplaced on the JCRAs website (http://www.thejcra.org/index.php?p=news&nid=93). The grantapplication information was presented at a normally scheduled Berry Lane Park communitymeeting on October 14, 2008 where more than 20 residents and other stakeholders discussedthe progress being made with the design work for the Berry Lane Park. A line item regardingthe EPA grant application was also added to the meetings agenda posted on another websitededicated to the overall larger redevelopment project: the Berry Lane Project Website(http://www.dresdnerrobin.com/berrylanepark/community.html). As the posting on the BerryLane Project Website directly targets the residents engaged with the project, the meetingannouncement was posted in both English and Spanish. A summary of the public notice, themeeting proceedings (no comments on the applications were received during the communitymeeting or before the submission of the grant application) and the sign-in sheets are alsoincluded in Attachment D. In order to further solicit public comments, the grant applicationhas also been posted on the JCRAs website.

RANKING CRITERIANo significant recreational amenity currently services the economically distressed andexceptionally densely populated Morris Canal Redevelopment Area. In an effort to make thecommunitys desires for quality recreational and open space opportunities a reality, the JerseyCity Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) is spearheading a major undertaking to transform amyriad of contaminated brownfields sites, both privately and publicly owned, fromneighborhood blight to over 17 acres of premier parkland that even in the planning stages hasbecome a source of neighborhood pride in the Morris Canal neighborhood.

The JCRA, acting as the redevelopment arm of the municipality, is partnered with the City ofJersey City to create Berry Lane Park. One of nine privately held sites being consolidated forthe project, the JR Transportation site, was recently acquired by the JCRA. A piece of theredevelopment puzzle, this site is contaminated and is in need of financial assistance by way ofan EPA cleanup grant.

1. Community Need:a. Health, Welfare, and Environment

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http://www.thejcra.org/index.php?p=news&nid=93http://www.dresdnerrobin.com/berrylanepark/community.htmlhttp://www.dresdnerrobin.com/berrylanepark/community.htmlhttp://www.thejcra.org/index.php?p=news&nid=93


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i) The City of Jersey City encompasses a land mass of 212,670 acres. Based on thebrownfields inventory conducted as part of Jersey Citys 1997 EPA BrownfieldsDemonstration Pilot grant and other data collected by the JCRA, more than one-third ofthe acreage in the City has been identified as a potential or known brownfield site.Sites range in size from very small, 25 by 100 feet lots, to very large, in excess of over

200 acres. The majority of brownfield sites are located within one of the 70 individualredevelopment areas in the City, proximate to many residential areas. Over 86brownfield sites have been identified in the Morris Canal Redevelopment Area alone.

The brownfield sites are a remnant of the Citys once thriving and extensivemanufacturing and shipping port center. The Hudson River and the Morris Canal, builtto connect the New York metropolitan area with the northern Delaware River on thewestern side of the state, was a marvel not just for its size but for the way boats werecranked up inclined planes to scale the northern heights of New Jersey. Once part ofthe great transportation infrastructure that was used during the Citys manufacturingheyday, extensive rail yards near the port areas and the former Morris Canal, proximateto the site targeted by this grant, now lay fallow with contamination. Manufacturingfacilities have all but disappeared, leaving large scale brownfield sites in their wake.

As parts of Jersey City have experienced tremendous amounts of redevelopment, thosesites which remain are passed over by developers due to the extensive contaminationwhich is present and a perception that there is little by way of economic viability forprivately funded redevelopment projects in the poorer neighborhoods. Virtually everysingle redevelopment initiative that is undertaken by the JCRA has a brownfieldcomponent which needs to be addressed. The majority of the catalogued sites arecharacterized as contaminated by historic fill, fill material which was contaminatedprior to its placement at the site, and contains elevated levels of metals andpolyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In addition, the City of Jersey City has anextensive inventory of chromium-contaminated sites due to a past common practice ofthree chromate ore processing facilities generating waste containing exceptionally highlevels of hexavalent chromium and providing the industrial waste product as free fill toraise elevations throughout the City. It is this material that was used to fill in severalareas of the Morris Canal. PAHs and metals are found throughout the soils and/orgroundwater in Jersey City at concentrations which exceed human health risk-basedstandards from these brownfield sites.

ii) The City of Jersey City, the county seat of Hudson County, encompasses 21.1 squaremiles and fronts the west bank of the Hudson River across from New York City.According to the 2007 American Community Survey, Jersey City represents nearly40% of the Countys population and is the second biggest city in New Jersey afterNewark. Jersey City is an area of almost unbelievable population density. New Jerseyis known for its dense populationthe U.S. average is just under 80 people per squaremile, and New Jerseys average is approximately 1,134 people per square mile.According to the 2000 Census, Jersey Citys population density is almost unfathomableat over 17,000 people per square mile. Stated another way, Jersey Citys populationdensity is over 200 times that found overall in the US.

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To compensate for the quality of life deficits resulting from high population densities,creating additional quality open space for the City of Jersey Citys cramped residents isof the utmost importance. A state formula used to calculate the proper apportionmentof open space in New Jersey communities, indicates that Jersey City should contain 356acres of land dedicated to open space and recreational purposes. According to the

Citys 2007 Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, the City currently hosts 145 acres,thus establishing a need for an additional 211 acres of open space lands. This extremelack of open space available to residents of this neighborhood puts them at a greaterrisk for obesity and a host of related health concerns such as diabetes, heart disease, etc.

Jersey City is home to many sensitive populations, including children, senior citizensover 65, and minorities. According to the 2000 Census, Jersey City includes minoritypopulations more than twice the national and state averages, and the targeted areasurrounding the proposed Berry Lane Park in the Morris Canal Redevelopment Area,Census Tract #46, includes a minority population of nearly 100%. Jersey City alsocontains a large population of households with individuals under 18, while the majorityof multigenerational familiesincluding nearly 70% in the targeted areainclude

grandparents who are responsible for their grandchildren.

In addition, many area residents have not received a high school level education. In thetargeted area, more than 43% of residents have not graduated from high school(compared to the national average of nearly 20%).

Health and Welfare of Sensitive Populations1

USNew

Jersey

Hudson

County

Jersey

City

Targeted Census

Tract #46

Minority Population2 24.9% 27.5% 42.0% 66.0% 99.1%

Language other thanEnglish

17.9% 25.5% 56.1% 50.0% 49.9%

Population Lacking HighSchool Level Education

19.6% 17.9% 29.5% 27.4% 43.6%

Housing Burdened (Paying>30% Gross Income forRent)

36.8% 37.5% 36.6% 36.9% 48.7%

Vacancy Rate 9.0% 7.4% 4.2% 5.4% 12.2%

Families w/RelatedChildren


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1Data from 2000 Census unless otherwise indicated.2Data represents respondents identifying themselves as a race other than White.

According to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Center forHealth Statistics in 2004, the most recent year for which statistics are available, JerseyCity had the second highest number of infant deaths of any city in New Jersey. That

same year, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Center for HealthStatistics reported that Jersey City had the third highest number of deaths in the statecaused by homicide.

b. Financial Needi) Certain neighborhoods, to include the Morris Canal Redevelopment Area targetedby this cleanup grant application, within Jersey City are plagued with low incomelevels, high unemployment rates, and disheartening poverty levels. According to the2000 Census, the Census Tract where the JR Transportation site is located includes anunemployment rate more than twice the national average as well as per capita andmedian household incomes that are nearly half the national averages. The City of Jersey

City is also plagued with alarming poverty rates, as the poverty rates for individuals andfamilies in Jersey City are typically twice the national averages. Children areparticularly impoverished in Jersey City. Nearly 30% of the families with childrenunder five are below the poverty line in the targeted neighborhood, and if there is nohusband present, nearly 50% of families with children under 18 sadly live in poverty.

Financial Need Demographic Information1

USNew

JerseyHudsonCounty

JerseyCity

Targeted CensusTract #46

Unemployment Rate 5.8% 5.8% 8.7% 10.0% 14.3%

Per Capita Income $21,587 $27,006 $21,154 $19,410 $12,419

Median Household Income $41,994 $55,146 $40,293 $37,862 $24,122

Minority Population2 24.9% 27.5% 42.0% 66.0% 99.1%

Families Below Poverty 9.2% 6.3% 13.3% 16.4% 24.3%

Families w/RelatedChildren


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suffers from dismal poverty rates. As a result, the area most in need of brownfieldsfunding is least able to generate private investment to address the problem. It is in sucheconomically depressed Jersey City neighborhoods, such as the Morris CanalRedevelopment Area, where the presence of brownfields has stymied revitalizationefforts and where the EPA cleanup grant funds will be targeted. Without

redevelopment projects driven by the public sector, private sector investment inimproved housing stock, new employment opportunities, and other projects that couldrevitalize the community is usually seen as a bad investment and is unlikely to occur.

ii) Many factors make obtaining EPA cleanup funds imperative to the establishment ofBerry Lane Park. As the targeted redevelopment for the project is to be a publiclyowned and operated recreational and open space development, there is no mechanismfor directly generating a revenue stream from the end use which would allow themunicipality to access loans and other available funding state programs that require arepayment mechanism.

Other funding mechanisms are being accessed; however, the sheer size of this majorparkland development project warrants pursuit of EPA cleanup grant funds. Given themagnitude of the undertaking, JCRA must cobble together a patchwork of local, stateand federal funding sources to effectuate cleanup before project development canoccur.

While both the City of Jersey City and the JCRA have received EPA brownfields grantsin the past, this funding was awarded for assessment activities. As such, it cannot beused as the much-needed remediation funding source.

While the State allots limited funding to the municipality for assessment andremediation activities in areas such as the Morris Canal Redevelopment Area, JerseyCitys needs for this funding throughout the entire city ensure that the full amount ofthe State grant funds is expended every year as the demand for the funding typicallyexceeds the available funding by over a million dollars per year. In addition, the Stategrant only provides for portion of the total cost for remediation for recreational andopen space projects, ensuring that additional funding must be secured for the project. Itis anticipated that the majority of HDSRF remediation funding available to themunicipality will be used for cleanup activities at the City owned parcels in thecalendar year in which the remediation is conducted. As State funds are not anticipatedto be available to cover the entire cost of the remediation at this site, the EPA grantfunds are essential.

Much of the larger Berry Lane Park project is comprised of land purchased with Statefunds by the City of Jersey City years ago. Although environmental investigation workis underway or completed and cleanup is targeted on those parcels long held by the Cityof Jersey City, the manner in which this half of the proposed parkland was acquired bythe City does not meet the All Appropriate Inquiry standard and thus limits use of EPAcleanup funds to those parcels that the JCRA has acquired via eminent domain. For theBerry Lane Park project, the State remediation funding will be used to cover the multi-million dollar remediation costs associated with those sites already owned by the City

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of Jersey City and only a small portion of the State funding will be used to meet theEPA grant match requirement for the site targeted by this grant application.

2. Project Description and Feasibility of Success:a. Project Description

i) The City of Jersey City, New Jersey is a bustling urban center directly across theriver from Manhattan, New York City. Much has been done in the last several years tobring prosperity to Jersey City residents. Yet many in Jersey City still live in pocketsof endemic poverty, struggle with high unemployment and live in substandard housing.To compound these issues, Jersey City has a population density that is over 200 timesthat which is the average for the entire US. In the areas of the City where thesocioeconomically disadvantaged residents are clustered there is also an inordinatefrequency of brownfield sites and a commensurate dearth of open space. It is theseresidents who could benefit the most from the transformation of brownfield sites toopen space amenities.

In one of the poorest neighborhoods of the City, plans are underway to create BerryLane Park. One of the most ambitious open space projects to be undertaken in theCitys history, Berry Lane Park will transform approximately 17.25 acres of former railyards, junk yards, auto repair shops, steel manufacturing facilities and warehouses intoboth an active and passive recreational centerpiece where those who live amongconcrete and brick can come to play soccer or baseball, cool off at the spray park on ahot summers day, chase butterflies on Butterfly Hill, or enjoy a leisurely stroll under atree-canopied promenade.

The proposed parkland can be divided into two segments: the 8.45 acres which hasbeen owned by the City of Jersey City for several years and nine remaining sitescomprising almost nine acres which the JCRA has acquired, or will acquire by the endof the first quarter 2009. One of these nine sites is the JR Transportation site. Thiscleanup grant focuses on transforming the 1.07-acre JR Transportation site, recentlyacquired by the JCRA for purposes of creating parkland, from neighborhood eyesore topart of the larger Berry Lane Park. Operating as a bus storage, maintenance, andoperations facility for several decades, this site has organic and inorganiccontamination. Site Investigation activities recently completed indicated the presenceof PAHs, lead and high levels of hexavalent chromium contamination in soil. Thecommunity vision for this park will be realized as heavy industry and inappropriatedirty land uses wedged into a densely populated residential neighborhood will berecreated as a source of neighborhood pride.

ii) Soil remediation activities will be necessary at the targeted site so as to allow thepark to be safe for park goers and the environment. The remediation activitiesanticipated to be undertaken at the site entail addressing the soil contamination toreceive a No Further Action Letter from the NJDEP. Given the extensive amount ofcontaminated historic fill and chromium impacted soil material and the fact that theyextend into the water table, removal of all contaminated historic fill material is costprohibitative and unlikely to occur. While chromium-impacted soil will be removed inits entirety, the NJDEP allows for a presumptive remedy to address historic fill. Afterexcavating six feet of chromium impacted soil in the eastern portion of the site,

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approximately two feet of clean fill will be imported to the site for emplacement as acap over the contaminated fill material remaining at depth. This engineering controlwill be coupled with an institutional control: a deed notice attached to the deed of theproperty in perpetuity. In order to ensure the integrity of the engineering controls aremaintained, the NJDEP requires annual inspections and biannual certifications to be

filed with the NJDEP. In addition, every five years a state regulatory inspector visitsthe property to verify the protectiveness of the cap. As the developed park will beowned and operated by the municipality, the risk for engineering control violations isreduced, if not altogether eliminated.

b. Budget for EPA Funding and Leveraging Other Resourcesi) The following provides a narrative description for the tasks to be completed for theEPA grant funded cleanup activities.

Task 1: Programmatic and Outreach Expenses: The JCRA will fulfill all EPA grantprogrammatic requirements with existing in-house staff. Dedicated brownfields staffwill perform activities necessary for implementation and management of the grant, toinclude community outreach, as in-kind contributions. This outreach also includesfulfilling NJDEP Community Notification requirements whereby all sensitivepopulations surrounding the site such as schools or daycares are identified and mapped,signage is posted at the site indicating that cleanup activities are in progress, and acontact name and number for the activity is provided. Outputs associated with this taskare generation of quarterly reports, MBE/WBE reporting forms, Financial StatusReports, and fulfillment of NJDEP community notification requirements.

Task 2: Soil Remediation: Historic fill material, imported fill material that wascontaminated and placed on site to raise site elevations, was found to be presentthroughout the site at depths ranging from four to 12 feet below ground surface. As itis cost prohibitive to excavate and remove all historic fill material at the site, theNJDEP allows for a presumptive remedy for addressing historic fill contamination.With parks and other such non-residential property, the NJDEP will allow forplacement of a two-foot cap on the property to eliminate harmful exposure pathwaysand the filing of a deed notice on the property. Therefore, 1.5 feet of clean soil and 0.5feet of topsoil will be imported and emplaced to serve as the cap for the site. Thechromium impacted soils in the vicinity of the former Morris Canal bed extend to atleast six feet below grade and will be excavated, properly disposed of off site and theexcavation area backfilled.

This task involves: the removal and disposal of an estimated 1,800 tons of likelyhazardous levels of chromium-impacted soil; emplacement of a soil cap and thenecessary site restoration; and the fulfillment of the regulatory reporting requirements.The total budget for this task is $715,500. However, the total amount allocated to theEPA grant budget for this task is $200,000.

The EPA grant will provide a portion of this funding, while the JCRAs match and thegap funding to complete Task 2 will come from State Hazardous Discharge SiteRemediation Fund monies. This includes contracting with a qualified environmentalengineering firm to provide On-Scene Coordinator services and to prepare all requisite

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regulatory documents and reports associated with the soil source removal and capemplacement. The JCRA will also contract with a qualified, experienced remediationcontractor to provide contaminated soil removal and proper disposal activities. Allcontracting will be conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, and localprocurement requirements. A complete breakdown of the total task costs is provided

below. Listed below are the assumptions and associated costs allocated to the EPAgrant funded portion for the project.

On-Scene Coordinator activities include all time for preparation of EPA required cleanup documents (Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives and the BrownfieldsCleanup Decision Memo documents); preparation of the Remedial Action Workplan;field oversight, management and coordination of contaminated soils excavation anddisposal. Preparation of regulatory reports includes all activities necessary to submit atechnically complete, final report which will meet the requirements of the statevoluntary cleanup program.

Remediation contractor assumptions include: contaminated soil will be directly loadedfrom the excavation and taken to a disposal facility (no on-site storage of soilstockpiles) and soil to be disposed will be contaminated will be classified as hazardouswaste.

Outputs associated with this task include preparation of Remedial Action Workplan andAnalysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives and the Brownfields Cleanup DecisionMemo documents; number of tons of contaminated soil excavated and disposed;number of tons of clean fill material emplaced; and number of acres remediated.

The overall budget for Task 2 of the cleanup is as follows:

Activity Cost

Remedial Action Work Plan (lump sum) $28,000

Preparation of Remedial Action Bid Specs (lump sum) $27,000

Soil Source Removal/ Cap Emplacement

- Field Oversight and Reporting (lump Sum) $30,000

- Soil Excavation and Disposal (1,800 tons @$250/ton) $450,000

- Backfill Emplacement, Grading, and Compaction (7,000 tons @ $25/ton) $175,000

Preparation of Deed Notice/Filing $5,500

TASK 2 TOTAL COST $715,500Amount Funded by EPA Grant $200,000

Amount Provided as Grant Match $40,000

Additional Leveraged Funds to Complete the Project $475,500

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Budget for Cleanup Grant Funds

Task 1 Task 2

Programmatic &

Outreach

Soil Remediation

Personnel In Kind $0

Fringe In Kind $0

Travel $0

Equipment $0

Supplies $0

Contractual $200,000 $200,000

Other

Grant Total $200,000 $200,000

Cost Share In - Kind $40,000 $40,000

Total

ii) The EPA cleanup grant funding is an integral component of completing theremediation for the targeted site and thus ensuring that the larger redevelopmentproject, the creation of Berry Lane Park, occurs. In the event that additional fundingsources are needed to complete the cleanup, the JCRA will access additional stateHazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF) monies. This funding sourcewill be used to meet the required EPA cleanup grant match of $40,000 as well as thebalance of the total estimated $715,500 remediation funding for the targeted parcel.

Other funding sources have been and will be brought to bear to ensure the successful

redevelopment of the larger Berry Lane Park project. To date, nearly $2.5 million incity capital funding, $4.4 million in Hudson County Open Space funding and $1 millionState Green Acres Programs funding has been secured for the project. Such grants havefully funded all acquisitions associated with the project. By the end of the first quarterof 2009 it is anticipated that all necessary acquisitions will be completed.

Environmental investigation work has been funded primarily by several fundingsources: $28,500 in capital funds from the municipality and $72,860 (applicationpending award) in State HDSRF grants are funding the environmental assessment workon those parcels owned by the City of Jersey City. EPA assessment grant funds arebeing used to fund environmental investigations associated with those privately heldparcels being or having been acquired by the JCRA. In fact, the PreliminaryAssessment and Site Investigation associated with the targeted site were conductedusing EPA assessment grant funding from the City of Jersey Citys 2006 EPAhazardous substances assessment grant.

In parallel with the acquisitions and environmental investigations, the park design workis in the final stages of being completed. Once completed, over $814,000 in capitalfunds, allocated over the course of several consecutive municipal budget years, willhave been expended to fund the community-driven design of Berry Lane Park.

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Park project remediation sources being accessed are the State HDSRF grant monies thatwill cover a portion of the costs for remediation. It is anticipated that the majority ofHDSRF allocated in the calendar year in which the project remediation efforts occurwill be used on those parcels owned by the City of Jersey City.

At this point, the park development costs have not been established. This cost estimatewill be forthcoming upon completion of the park design work. The JCRA and the Cityof Jersey City will be applying for State Green Acres and Hudson County Open Spacefunding for park development funds. Additional funding is expected to come fromHUD CDBG monies as the City of Jersey City is a HUD entitlement community, andcity capital funds.

c. Programmatic Capabilityi) The JCRA has received two EPA Brownfields Grants. In the last round of EPABrownfields Grant awards, the JCRA was awarded two assessment grants: $200,000 forhazardous substance and $200,000 for petroleum. As the cooperative agreements forthese grants were just executed at the end of September 2008, the JCRA has all$400,000 remaining for the grants. JCRA has prepared and submitted work plans forthese grants and is currently working on a Statement of Qualifications solicitation toestablish a pool of contractors to perform assessment work funded by their EPA grants.

Given the timing of the cleanup grant application deadline and the receipt of JCRAscooperative agreements for the assessment grants, there is little to report by way ofaccomplishments and grant requirement compliance. However, it should be noted thatthe JCRA entered into an interlocal agreement in January 2007 with the City of JerseyCity to be the entity that manages the Citys brownfields program. Prior to enteringinto the interlocal agreement, the City of Jersey City had experienced great difficulty inaccessing and using their two EPA assessment grants. Both grants, a 1997 AssessmentDemonstration Pilot Grant and a 2006 hazardous substance assessment grant, still hadthe full $200,000 balance unencumbered and had not had any site-specific assessmentwork approved and completed. Since turning the management responsibilities of thegrant over to the JCRA, not only has there been activity on the grants to includecompletion of 13 Preliminary Assessments and seven Site Investigations, but also forthe first time in over a decade, grant funds are being expended and drawn down upon.Also a significant accomplishment with the Citys recalcitrant EPA grants, thereporting requirements (quarterly reports, MBE/WBE reports, Financial Status Reports)been brought up to compliance. Both the 1997 and the 2006 grants are anticipated to becompletely expended within the current federal fiscal year.

JCRA staff has managed over 25 brownfield sites through the state regulatoryVoluntary Cleanup Program process, and posses the in house capacity to oversee theenvironmental assessment and remediation effort. These staff members not onlyprovide the in house contractor management of environmental engineering firms, theyalso perform the administrative functions associated with pursuing, receiving and usingthe State Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Funding funds. To expand theircapacity to address these sites and increase the number of brownfield sites beingaddressed at any given time, the JCRA has contracted with an experiencedenvironmental management firm to provide assistance with the increase in workload for

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the quarterly reporting, preparation of requests for proposals to identify and select anenvironmental engineering firm to perform assessments and other such programmaticfunctions.

The JCRA has never received any adverse audit findings or been required to comply

with high risk terms and conditions.

ii) The JCRA has received an EPA Brownfields Grant and, as such, this section is notapplicable.

3. Community Engagement and Partnerships:a. Plan for involving the affected community: The JCRA does not need to develop a plan

for engaging the affected community once the grant is awardedit has been engagingthe community for years with regard to the proposed Berry Lane Park and will continueto do so as this park is truly a community-driven redevelopment project.

JCRAs history with the targeted community began with the redevelopment effortsassociated with the Morris Canal Redevelopment Plan. The Morris CanalRedevelopment Area Development Coalition was formed in 1999, in response to theformation of the Morris Canal Redevelopment Area. The purpose of this group of localresidents and other stakeholders was to serve as a voice for residents desires forrevitalization initiatives in their community as well as provide an organized body tocommunicate environmental risks and concerns associated with the brownfields inMorris Canal. Over the years, the group has evolved into a 501 (c) 3 non-profit that isinvolved in environmental investigations, remediation decisions, and reuseconsiderations. Going well beyond the state requirements for establishing aredevelopment area, the Morris Canal Redevelopment Plan, covering the area where thetargeted site lies, contains language which requires the JCRA or other municipalagencies to notify the community group at least 14 days prior to commencement of anypublicly led activity relating to site investigation or remediation.

In addition, the redevelopment and reuse plans for Berry Lane Park have been the by-product of residents and other community stakeholders working through designcharrettes with the architects and planners contracted to put the communitys ideas topaper and shape them into realistic design components for the future park layout.These Berry Lane Park community workshops will continue to be held and will serveas a clearing house for information regarding the remediation efforts and subsequentconstruction of the park. The Berry Lane Park project website,http://www.dresdnerrobin.com/berrylanepark/index.html, contains a section specificallydevoted to the community where residents can go to obtain notices, in both English andSpanish, for the latest Berry Lane Park community workshop, see results of theworkshops and learn more about the proposed park activities.

The JCRA will also ensure compliance with new public notification requirements putinto effect by New Jersey. As a condition of participating in the State VoluntaryCleanup Program, all sites are required to identify any sensitive populations around thesite (such as daycare centers, schools, or playgrounds), to provide notification regardingthe cleanup to all sensitive populations, and owners and tenants within 200 feet of the

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site through letters or by posting a sign at the site. In addition, a designated contactperson will be available to answer any questions citizens or reporters may haveregarding activities and progress at the site. In this way, public notification is ensured.

b. Efforts and/or plans to develop partnerships: The success and sustainability of the

JCRAs redevelopment efforts throughout the City speak to the strength of itsrelationships with various stakeholders. The JCRA would not be successful in such amassive undertaking as the development of Berry Lane Park were it not for the abilityto establish and foster a wide swath of the partnerships.

The JCRA has an excellent relationship with the NJDEP to provide oversight ofenvironmental investigations and cleanups and the New Jersey Economic DevelopmentAuthority for development related funding. Hudson County also is one of the JCRAspartners providing open space acquisition assistance. Under this grant, theserelationships will be continued and strengthened as the Berry Lane Park project movesfrom idea to ribbon cutting.

The JCRA will work with the NJDEP and the local health department as appropriate toensure that the selected site remedy will address any contamination, in a mannerappropriate to the planned site reuse in order to be protective of human health and theenvironment by eliminating any exposure pathways. The targeted site will beremediated to standards set by the New Jersey Department of EnvironmentalProtections Voluntary Cleanup Program as appropriate for recreational reuse in adensely populated area. Once remediation efforts have been deemed to be completed bythe State, a Letter of No Further Action will be issued.

c. Description and role of key community-based organizations: The JCRA has developedstrong partnerships with a number of community-based organizations. The followingwill play a key role in the successful development and implementation of the EPACleanup Grant:

Morris Canal Redevelopment Area Coalition, June Jones, 201-303-7886The Morris Canal Redevelopment Area Coalition and Community DevelopmentCorporation (MCRAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressingbrownfield sites in the Morris Canal area. The MCRAC has been active in theJCRAs EPA-funded brownfields program since 1997, including acting as thehosting community organization for stakeholder meetings. The MCRAC will assistwith educational outreach about the Berry Lane Park project and continue toprovide feedback to the Agency to ensure this project is successfully completed.

Team Walker, Jerry Walker, 201-433-1888Team Walker was formed in 1996 as a non-profit organization whose mission is toprovide academic and recreational opportunities to disadvantaged youth. As amajor youth advocacy organization in Jersey City, Team Walker has participated inpublic meetings regarding the park and has provided input as to its design. TeamWalker will serve as an outreach outlet to engage the public and local schools in thesite cleanup and redevelopment process as well used the finished park to expand theprogrammatic recreational opportunities to disadvantaged youth.

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Ideal Supply Company, Don Strittmatter, 201-432-1011Ideal Supply Company Ideal Supply Company is a commercial distributionbusiness that will border Berry Lane Park. Due to their proximity to the futurepark, they have participated in the projects planning process and fully support itsconstruction. As a neighbor to the project, they will continue to promote this

project to local residents and businesses.

Hudson County Economic Development Commission, Elizabeth Spinelli,201-222-1900The Hudson County Economic Development Corporation (HCEDC) operates anaward-winning Brownfields Program that is partially funded by the EPABrownfields Program. HCEDC will continue to assist the JCRA by providingguidance needed (financial and otherwise). Likewise, it is expected that the parksdevelopment will lead to the establishment of new businesses in the area. Whenthat time comes, HCEDC will also provide technical and financial support to helpcreate new businesses.

New Jersey City University, Dr. William Montgomery, 201-200-3367New Jersey City University (NJCU) is a major university located within JerseyCity. The NJCU Department of Geoscience and Geography has assisted the JCRAin inventorying brownfields within the Morris Canal Redevelopment Area,including sites within Berry Lane. This inventory is not merely being used to trackthe sites but is also a major risk communication tool for the neighborhood. NJCUwill continue to provide the JCRA with technical assistance and riskcommunication assistance in Morris Canal, including the development of web-based GIS that will catalogue environmental contamination and assist with riskcommunication to residents in the affected neighborhoods, to include Berry Lane

Park project area.

Support letters for community-based organizations are included in Attachment E.These letters describe the overall mission of each organization as well as the specificrole the organization will play in helping to carry out EPA-funded activities.

4. Project Benefits:a. Welfare and/or Public Health: In additional to the obvious health benefits created by

the removal of contaminated soils in a largely residential area, the development of thisproject will have real, substantial, and lasting positive impacts on the neighborhood.Once used as a non-conforming warehouse and storage area, this site generated trucktraffic, noise pollution, contaminated runoff, and air pollution. Transforming it into anopen space amenity will create a welcome respite in this densely developedneighborhood. It will provide urban wildlife habitat and an expanded groundwaterrecharge area, as well as recreational opportunities to thousands of nearby residents.The opportunity for fresh air and exercise, currently unavailable to this community, hasbeen shown to reduce the rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other relatedhealth problems. In addition, the pride of place this development will give, and isalready giving, to this neighborhood has immeasurable benefits. Further, by cleaning upneighborhood junk yards, large vehicle storage, and other non-conforming dirty landuses, this development will serve as a catalyst for change in the neighborhood. It is

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expected to result in improved residential property values and new housingopportunities as developers will view this neighborhood as a more desirable place tolive.

To ensure that no adverse environmental impact occurs during actual cleanup activities,air monitoring will be conducted, dust suppression measures will be implemented andsediment erosion controls will be put in place as needed to prevent errant migration ofcontaminated soils from the site during excavation of the historic fill material.

b. Economic Benefits and/or Greenspace:i) The direct benefits to be derived from redevelopment of the targeted site will bepredominantly for greenspace. As such, this criterion is not applicable.

ii) The non-economic benefits associated with the larger redevelopment project aretremendous and far reaching for the not only the Morris Canal Redevelopment area, butthe entire City of Jersey City as well. Construction of the 17.25-acre park will result inan overall increase of almost 12% in usable open space for the residents of the City.The park will contain both active and passive recreational elements to serve the needsof those interested in organized team sports, those wanting to take in a performance atthe amphitheater, those wanting to take their toddlers to a safe tot lot for play, as well asthose looking for a reflective spot to spend a leisurely afternoon surrounded by treesand other vegetation not normally found in their urban neighborhood.

Once the site is remediated and redeveloped as part of Berry Lane Park, it will beentered into the Citys Recreation and Open Space Inventory (ROSI). Inclusion on theROSI ensures that this greenspace is protected and preserved in perpetuity. Under Statelaw, a site on the ROSI cannot be developed for any purpose other than recreation oropen space without special dispensation from the State and compensation in the form of

alternative green space created elsewhere in the area. This is a difficult processrequiring the approval of a State House Commission, and is rarely given.

c. Environmental Benefits from Infrastructure Reuse/Sustainable Reuse: The largerredevelopment project for the Berry Lane Park will provide for an array of additionalenvironmental benefits beyond those achieved with the remediation of contaminatedsoil.

Seasonal and diurnal variations of the suns pathways across the proposed park spacewere tracked and evaluated. The pathways are being taken into consideration for theorientation of programmed recreational fields. Such planning was designed to

capitalize on the solar capacity for providing natural lighting for the sports fields andother components of the park so as to result in a reduction of electrical lighting usedand commensurate carbon emissions.

Site design elements are taking into consideration existing features at the site with theintention of incorporating them in the sites redevelopment. Where feasible givenremediation constraints, mature deciduous trees were mapped and will remain and notbe removed in dedicated open space segments of the parkland. Existing industrialconcrete silos will become focal points for Berry Lane Park. These silos, remnants of

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18

the former railroad yard usage, will be outfitted with various spraying mechanisms andwill serve as a spray park for those looking to cool off during the warmer months of theyear.

The park design is being engineered to reduce, if not eliminate, storm water runoff.

Existing concrete structures and paved areas will be replaced by vegetated fields.Pathways for pedestrian use will be created with porous zones and the addition ofvaried topography to channel water to low open areas will thus allowing for maximumdrainage and minimized runoff.

The Butterfly Hill to be created at the heart of the park is viewed as a signature featureof the proposed park. This hill will be planted with colorful flowers and hearty grassesdesigned to attract wildlife and butterflies. In this manner, additional urban wildlifehabitat will be created where none currently exists.

d. Plan for Tracking and Measuring Progress: The JCRA will be responsible foroverseeing the preparation of the quarterly reports and other required reporting such asMBE-WBE forms and Financial Status Reports within the 30 days after the close of therespective reporting periods. In addition, property profile information for the targetedsite, already in EPAs ACRES system, will be updated regularly to provide currentinformation on the progress at the targeted site.

The JCRA will report on the Outputs of the project through the quarterly reports andsite profile updates. As previously discussed, the outputs associated with this projectare number of quarterly reports, MBE/WBE reporting forms, Financial Status Reports,fulfillment of NJDEP community notification requirements, a Remedial ActionWorkplan approved by the NJDEP, an Analysis of Brownfields Clean up Alternativesand the Brownfields Cleanup Decision Memo documents, the number of tons ofcontaminated soil excavated and disposed, and the number of tons of clean fill materialemplaced.

These Outputs will lead to specific Outcomes, which will include the number ofadditional sites associated with the larger redevelopment project of the park that areremediated, the amount of funding leveraged, the number of acres of greenspacecreated, the number of acres remediated, and number of temporary and permanent jobscreated, if applicable.

In addition, the JCRA will report on the Outputs of the project; specifically when eachstep in the cleanup process has been completed. Other Outputs to be tracked andreported will include removal of contaminants, redevelopment of the site targeted bythe grant and relocation of existing City businesses to areas more appropriate forindustrial and heavy commercial utilization.

The JCRA will maintain close contact with their EPA regional Project Officer to ensureany potential problems or successes are underscored and communicated with EPA in anexpeditious time frame and not just when the quarterly reports are due.


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Jersey City Redevelopment AgencyAttachment B:

Proof of Ownership


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Jersey City Redevelopment AgencyAttachment C:

Letter from New Jersey Department ofEnvironmental Protection


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~ Df Nt'UJ J}t'ruyDEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECfJONN S. CORZINE LISA P. JAGovernor Commis

October 29, 2008The Honorable Stephen L. Johnson, AdministratorUS Environmental Protection Agency401 M Street SWWashington, DC 20460

Dear Administrator Johnson:RE: Jersey City USEPA Brownfield Cleanup Grant ApplicationsBerry Lane Park

On behalf of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, it is my pleasure to endorse theJersey City applications to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for threeBrownfields Cleanup Grants to remediate environmental impacts associated with discharges ofhazardous substances and/or petroleum products at the Berry Lane Park site. The New JerseyDepartment of Environmental Protection acknowledges that Jersey City plans to conduct cleanupactivities at Berry Lane Park.Jersey City has developed an aggressive redevelopment strategy to identify, assess, clean up andreuse abandoned brownfield sites that lie within their planned redevelopment areas. The siteidentified in the grant applications represents a priority brownfield redevelopment opportunity forJersey City.Please accept this letter of support for the Jersey City Cleanup Grant Applications. Please do nothesitate to contact me if I may be of further assistance. I may be telephoned at (609) 292-1251, or e mailed at [email protected].

C: Sandra Newhall, Brownfields Redevelopment Solutions, Inc.

New Jersey Is An Equal Opportunity Employer Printed on Recycled Paper an d Recyclable


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Jersey City Redevelopment AgencyAttachment D:

Community Notification Information


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Pub lic Notice:

JERSEY CITY

REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

PUBLIC NOTICE

US EPA Berry Lane Park Cleanup

Grant Applications

The Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) is applying for US EPA Brownfields

Cleanup Grant funding to clean up sites within the future Berry Lane Park. A community

meeting is being held to discuss the grant proposals and to solicit public comments on

the proposals and the proposed use of funds. The final design for Berry Lane Park will

also be discussed at the meeting. The meeting will be held on Tuesday. October 14,

2008 at 7:00 PM at Monumental Baptist Church, 121 Lafayette Street, Jersey City, New

Jersey 07304. Copies of the grant proposals will be available for review and comment on

the JCRA's website at www.thejcra.org. For more information about the proposals or the

meeting, contact Benjamin Delisle. Jersey City Redevelopment Agency Director of

Development at (201) 547-5604:

ROBERT P. ANTONICELLO

Executive Director

10/10/08$79.83

Public Notice ID: 8273305.HTM

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Photos by Christopher Lane and JCRA | S ite by fusiondesign

HOME | ABOUT THE JCRA | CONTACT US | SITEMAP | SEARCH

< Go Back

Date: 10/ 09/ 2008

Project: Berry Lane Park

USEPA Grant Application

Public Notice

US EPA Berry Lane Park Cleanup Grant Applications

The Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA) is applying for US EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant funding to c lean up sites within the future Berry

Lane Park. A community meeting is being held to discuss the grant proposals and to solicit public comments on the proposals and the proposed use of

funds. The final design for Berry Lane Park will also be dis cussed at the meeti ng. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 200 8 at 7:0 0 PM at

Monumental Baptist Church, 121 Lafayette Street , Jersey Cit y, New Jersey 07304 . Copies of the grant proposals will be available for review and

comment on the JCRA's website at www.thejcra.org. For more information about the proposals or the meeting, contact Benjamin Delisle, Jersey City

Redevelopment Agency Director of Development at (201) 547-5604.

2008 JCRA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

ersey City Redevelopment Agency - News http://www.thejcra.org/index.php?p=new


37/50A p ro jec t o f t he J e r s e y C i t y R e d e v e l o p m e n t A g e n c y3 0 Mo n tg o me ry S t re e t , Su i t e 9 0 0 , Je rse y C i t y , NJ 0 7 3 0 2

Mayor Jerramiah T. Healyand the

City CouncilCouncil President: Mariano Vega, Jr.

Councilman-at-Large: Peter BrennanCouncilwoman-at-Large: Willie Flood

Ward A: Michael SottolanoWard B: Mary Spinello

Ward C: Steve LipskiWard D: William Gaughan

Ward E: Steven FulopWard F: Viola Richardson

Tuesday, October 14, 2008at the f ina l community workshop fo r

Monumental Baptist ChurchBerry Lane Park

121 Lafayette Street, Jersey City, NJ 07304

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Help review plans for the park-Children welcome!-

-Light Refreshments-


38/50Un proyecto de la Agencia de Reurbanizacion de Jersey City3 0 Mo n tg o me ry S t re e t , Su i t e 9 0 0 , Je rse y C i t y , NJ 0 7 3 0 2

El Alcalde Jerramiah T. HealyY el

Consejal de la CuidadCouncil President: Mariano Vega, Jr.

Councilman-at-Large: Peter BrennanCouncilwoman-at-Large: Willie Flood

Ward A: Michael SottolanoWard B: Mary Spinello

Ward C: Steve LipskiWard D: William Gaughan

Ward E: Steven FulopWard F: Viola Richardson

Martes, 14 de Octubre del 2008En su ultimo proyecto hacia la comunidad

Monumental Baptist ChurchBerry Lane Park

121 Lafayette Street, Jersey City, NJ 07304

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Ayudenos a revisar los planes para el parque-Ninos son bienvenidos!-

-Refrescos disponibles-


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RO G ERS M A RV EL A R C H I T E C T S , P LLC

145 HUDSON STREET THIRD FLOOR NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10013 212 941-6718 212 941-7573 FAXwww . r o g e r sma r v e l . c om

BERRY LANE PARK COMMUNITY WORKSHOP PROCESSThe proposed process for community participation utilizes a three-tiered workshop model

that allows the community to become engaged in establishing the goals and objectives forthe park as well as in reviewing alternative strategies for organizing those goals andobjectives on the site.

WORKSHOP NO. 3: DESIGN REVIEWThe focus for workshop no.3 is to present to the community the proposed design of thepark in a targeted fashion to illicit feedback.

WORKSHOP STRUCTUREExhibition the workshop will consist of (6) stations, each exhibiting specific aspects ofthe design, that will allow for an informal review yet targeting specific and focusedcomments.

Welcome Reception (15 minutes)Food, mingle, review past workshop material and exhibits

Presentation (20 minutes)The presentation will give the project team an opportunity to review project developmentto date, briefly explain the proposed design and how the project will move forward.Presentation outline includes:

Introductions (JCRA)

Today's Agenda (DR, RMA)

Review of Workshop 1 & 2 and what the project team heard Discussion of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Cleanup Grants Brief explanation of exhibits and processWorkshop Activities (DR, RMA)

Review of proposed designHow Community Input will be used (DR, RMA)

Ways to Stay Involved (JCRA)

Exhibition Activity (60 minutes)Participants will have the opportunity to view all of the (6) exhibits and will be allowed tovisit each station at his or her order of interest and time. Each station will have a largeformat board exhibiting specific aspects, or features, at which participants may review,ask questions, make recommendations and record comments. A facilitator(s) will be

present at each station to discuss the various aspects of the design and aid with recordedcomments.

Participants will have the opportunity to record their comments by writing on a large note-pad at each station. Facilitators too will record comments made by community members.

*Kids Table: The kids table will have paper, markers, images and other art supplies. Kidsmay be asked to make a collage or drawing about their favorite outdoor activity


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JERSEY CITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

CLEANUP GRANT APPLICATIONS

BERRY LANE PARK

PUBLIC MEETING

MONUMENTAL BAPTIST CHURCH, 121-127 LAFAYETTE STREET

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2008 7:00-9:00PM

MEETING MINUTES

Hosted By: Jersey City Redevelopment AgencyCity of Jersey City Department of Planning

Rogers Marvel ArchitectsDresdner Robin

Minutes

Mayor Jeremiah Healy spoke on the importance of the project for the community and the city.

Councilwomen Viola Richardson led the participants in a prayer and then reiterated theimportance of the project.

Benjamin Delisle of the JCRA gave a brief summary of the project, informing the attendees thatsome of the land has been purchased, environmental investigations on the remaining parcels tobe acquired have been started, and that JCRA would be seeking EPA Brownfields CleanupGrants for three of the Berry Lane Park sites. This funding would amount to $200,000 per siteand be used to clean up soil. No comments were received regarding these grant applications, andall attendees were generally supportive of seeking additional cleanup funding.

Aaron Young of Rogers Marvel Architects thanked the participants for attending. Aaron gave aPowerPoint presentation of project, going over the prior two community workshops and how wearrived at the current design. Aaron then described the interactive portion of the workshopwhere people would visit the stations representing the different aspects of the park and commenton them, and ask questions to the project facilitators. At this point, attendees were encouraged towalk around to the stations and comment on the design elements of the park.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00pm.


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JERRY WALKERCEO/PRESIDENT

November 3, 2008

Administrator Stephen L. JohnsonU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyAriel Rios Building1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20460Dear Administrator Johnson:Team Walker was formed in 1996 as a non-profit organization whose mission is to provideacademic and recreational opportunities to disadvantaged youth. We seek to uplift and createpositive alternatives for the youth of Jersey City through programs which enlighten theparticipants with the importance of solid academics, teamwork, and sportsmanship. This isaccomplished through after school academic and athletic programs that help impoverished youthfind positive solutions to obstacles.I am writing to support the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency's application for a U.S. EPABrownfields Cleanup Grant to clean up the site that will become part of the future Berry LanePark. We recognize the importance of cleaning up this formerly industrial area to ensure itssafety as a future recreational area. As a major youth advocacy organization in Jersey City, wehave participated in public meetings regarding the park and have provided input as to its design.With the U.S. EPA funding, Team Walker could serve as an outreach outlet to educate the publicregarding the important of and progress in the development Berry Lane Park.The Berry Lane Park project is paramount for the youth of Jersey City, as it will represent thefirst new park constructed in the city in many years. The Brownfields Cleanup Grant is thereforean important tool needed for the creation of Berry Lane Park and could have a strong positiveimpact on local residents and children in particular. I therefore strongly support this grantapplication.Sincerely,

Jerry WalkerPresident *316 Communipaw Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07304Phone 201-433-1888 * Fax 201-433-4334


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jcra jr transportation berry lane pk

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