KEY COMMUNITY CONCERNS. Like many other communities in Michigan founded on a manufacturing economy, over the past few decades, the County’s demographics have shifted toward lower income populations. Property tax and income tax revenues are the main sources of income for the County and the City, and these revenues are not keeping up with inflation or municipal expenses. On the income tax front for the County and the City, the 2008-2009 recession came after decades of downsizing and closing of industrial employers. Manufacturing jobs still account for approximately 24 -25% of the jobs in the County and the City1; however, the median income in the County is not keeping up with inflation. This means that income tax revenues are also not keeping up with inflation rates and are not making up for losses in other revenue streams. Research conducted to support the 2018 Battle Creek Master Plan predicted continued population decrease through at least 2020, which will likely mean a further decrease in income tax revenue. This decrease in available property and income tax revenue has impacted the County and the City of Battle Creek’s operating budgets. This means that though both entities are solvent, they have very limited funds available to support brownfields remediation and redevelopment. 0 0000-0000 American Community Survey The largest health and welfare concerns are the ongoing disinvestment in the Site area and uncontrolled exposures to contaminated soil, groundwater, and soil gas. The southern portion of the site area is a residential neighborhood of predominantly low-income minority residents. The residents that remain are those that cannot afford to leave. The impoverished and sensitive populations in the Site target area bear the impact of numerous brownfields in this small area. Only recently have efforts and funds been available to make improvements in this struggling neighborhood. Brownfields threats to the health and welfare of the sensitive populations that live near the Site will be reduced by removal of the impacted mound material and development of the resulting area with a modern operation that incorporates engineering and/or institutional controls to further limit exposures. In addition to improving the health of residents, the redevelopment of the Site will reduce blight, thereby reducing the negative perception of the target area. This will draw residents and businesses back into this gateway target area, triggering additional redevelopment that will improve the healt...
KEY COMMUNITY CONCERNS. The City has discussed the plans to redevelop the Former Texarkana National Bank/Capital One Building in association with developing the downtown area during several council meetings, the CDFA Technical Assistance public meeting June 16, 2015, the Brownfields Project meeting in October of 2015, and during three public engagement meetings for their Comprehensive Plan update on September 20, 2016, November 15, 2016 and April 20, 2017, and the community has been receptive to plans. The cleanup or demolition of unsightly and unsafe properties is a re- occurring comment on many surveys that the City has conducted over the past few years. The Former Texarkana National Bank/Capital One Building and parking garage are currently damaged and deteriorating and pose a hazard to people that may enter the buildings without proper protection or knowledge of the hazards. Restoration of the Former Texarkana National Bank/Capital One Building into residential apartments and retail/office space would be a direct benefit to the local community, making the area a more enjoyable place to live and work. The Former Texarkana National Bank/Capital One Building is adjacent to Discovery Place Children’s Museum and the Museum of Regional History, and several churches and businesses, offering work, worship, and learning opportunities just steps away from the living spaces. Many residents have indicated that the cleanup and restoration of the Former Texarkana National Bank/Capital One Building would bring more people and business to the downtown community, stimulating additional community benefits.
KEY COMMUNITY CONCERNS. The primary goal of the xxxxxxxxxx cleanup is to remove environmental threats and concerns at the Site so the property can be redeveloped and contribute to the tax base and quality of life in the community. Because of the high visibility and strategic location of the Site, the City views its environmental remediation and redevelopment to be an important catalyst for achieving the goals of the City’s Old Town/Civic Center Subarea Plan. The anticipated redevelopment of the Site will improve the quality of life for the citizens of Warrenville. Through the remediation of environmental impacts at the Site, the City seeks to remove the potential threat to human health and the environment and the last remaining barrier to redevelopment, while providing numerous socio-economic benefits, such as the creation of new jobs and infrastructure enhancements to support the continued revitalization of the civic core of the community by adding new, high- quality mixed use residential housing opportunities. Furthermore, the City believes the redevelopment of the Site will spur new growth and redevelopment interest throughout the entire Civic Center area and Route 56 corridor, while enriching the lives of its residents.
KEY COMMUNITY CONCERNS. Community input on the project has and will continue to be obtained during various public outreach efforts, through land use planning efforts, and meetings with the City and the community. Concerns and interests related to this project include the following: • Identify redevelopment opportunities in Xxxxxxxxxx or blighted areas • Encourage expanded retail services • Develop a community center / town square • Develop a community center that could include a gym, pool, and meeting rooms • Compliance with current regulatory requirements for contaminated sites
