City partners with DNR to assess site’s environmental conditions
Efforts to redevelop keep moving along nicely from all parties involved, including the owner, Crawford County, as well as the city and even the DNR, which is getting involved as the administrator of a grant to assess the environmental condition of the property and, in turn, remediate any contamination. (Photo by Correne Martin)
Ultimate goal for county and city is to redevelop the property
By Correne Martin
The city of Prairie du Chien is continuing its share of efforts to make the Blackhawk Junction Mall property more developable and therefore more attractive to investors.
During its Tuesday night meeting, the Prairie du Chien Common Council approved committing $5,000 as a match toward the opportunity to fully assess the site’s environmental conditions and, in turn, remediate any contamination.
According to a July 15 memorandum from City Planner Garth Frable to the council, this is a chance to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on implementation of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency planning grant for the Blackhawk Junction project.
Crawford County currently owns the property and is working together with the city to plan the future of the site.
“There are a number of barriers to redeveloping and attracting investment to the site. The known environmental contamination is the principal barrier, and it exacerbates all the other barriers,” said Frable in his memo. “The city has tried to assess the contamination on the site since 2008, as the initial investigation in 1999 was triggered by contamination in two of the municipal wells. But with limited funding, an absentee and tax-delinquent property owner, and numerous operators of the dry cleaners that were also tax delinquent and/or fee delinquent, the city was only able to perform limited assessment. The property has been for sale for many years with no interest as the cumulative hurdle to cross was too great.”
In response to these ongoing challenges, the Wisconsin DNR, last year, applied to the EPA for a planning grant in the amount of $20,000, to specifically assist in the planning for redevelopment of complex brownfield sites, Frable explained.
“The grant application was developed and submitted solely for Prairie du Chien,” Frable said, “and it reflects the positive partnership the city has had in the past with the WDNR in addressing and redeveloping contaminated sites.”
EPA awarded this grant earlier this year. The grant will be administered by the DNR, saving the city staff time as well.
Scoutmaster honored
Mayor Dave Hemmer and the council presented a resolution honoring Prairie du Chien Boy Scout Troop 320 Scoutmaster Mike Mara for dedicating 35 years to the same position in the local organization.
