Place-Based
12th street corridor
Like many former industrial cities, Erie still has considerable post-industrial properties that require considerable remediation that private companies neither have the time of resources to do. However, the recent influx of federal funding has created an opportunity to remediate these properties at a scale and pace previously impossible. Acting swiftly to remediate these properties can eliminate blight across, create a variety of new uses (e.g., office space), and revitalize an entire section of the city. Though many of the properties to be remediated immediately are still to be determined, work is already underway at the Former EMI Site, which may be illustrative of future projects undertaken under this banner. This site will be transformed into light industrial and / or office space to suit the growing economic needs in Erie.
6.1: Remediate EMI site
Investment Overview:
The former EMI site is located at 601-645 West 12th Street. At 5.5 acres, the site can be remediated to create 75,000 square feet of office space in the 12th street corridor. The Erie County Redevelopment Authority has been gradually remediating this property; however, the influx of federal and state funds creates an opportunity for Erie to expedite this remediation (along with others along the 12st street corridor).
Goals and Benefits:
Repurposing the property can reduce blight, create much-needed office space to bring new businesses to Erie, and reduce environmental hazards.
Cost, Sources, and Uses:
Total cost: $24,425,000
Uses:
EMI acquisition: $375k
EMI remediation and demolition: $2M
EMI new construction: $50+M
EMI renovation: $22M
Sources:
$750k –County ARP grants
$1.25M –City ARP grant
$375k –City forgivable loan
$4M–State RACP grant
TBD –private investment
Progress and Next Steps:
Progress to Date:
Secure site control
Secure initial funding from city, state, and county sources
Next Steps:
Identify private investment to close capital stack
Identify potential developers for construction
6.2: Identify and remediate 3-5 other properties along 12th street corridor
Investment Overview:
In addition to the EMI site, Erie has considerable other old industrial properties that need to be remediated if they are to be put back into productive use. With an unprecedented opportunity to leverage funds as well as increasing demand for spaces to support new businesses related to plastics recycling and advanced manufacturing, Erie has a great opportunity to remediate properties that have blighted much of the 12th street corridor for years.
Goals and Benefits:
Repurposing the property can reduce blight, create much-needed commercial spaces to bring new businesses to Erie, and reduce environmental hazards.
Cost, Sources, and Uses:
Total cost: $100,000,000
Uses:
$100M –Acquisition, remediation, development
Sources:
TBD-RACP, state brownfields funds, others
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Progress and Next Steps:
Progress to Date:
Undertake land use study in partnership with MPO
Next Steps:
- Finalize list of other sites
- Secure site control
- Present cleanup plan to PA DEP, EPA
- Secure funding for remediation
6.3: Capacity Investment: Increase capacity of ECRDA
Investment Overview:
The Erie County Redevelopment Authority has made a commitment to tackling industrial blight and providing Erie with viable properties that private developers do not have the time or financial resources for. However, given the prevalence of such blighted industrial properties across Erie and the relative scarcity of resources (at least recently), Erie has been able to make only moderate progress. While new funding sources create an opportunity for Erie to accelerate this work, ECRDA will need additional staff capacity in order to tackle a far greater number of environmental remediations. This proposal is for an increase in staff capacity for the next three years.
Goals and Benefits:
This investment will allow Erie to remediate and change over an entire portion of the city in relatively short order (a few years). Such a burst of activity will make Erie a national example for brownfield remediation, turning what was a sign of shame for Erie into one of its new assets.
Cost, Sources, and Uses:
Total cost: $1,175,000 (3 years)
Uses:
$650k (personnel –project manager x 2)
$300k (personnel –property mgmt.)
$225k (personnel –facilities mgmt.)
Sources:
Local philanthropic capital
Progress and Next Steps:
- Create implementation plan to accelerate remediation with new staff
- Raise necessary local philanthropic capital
- Create and post job descriptions