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Brownfield Applicant Information
Shelby Middle School, Shelby, Montana
City of Shelby
City of Shelby
Shelby, Montana
5,103 Toole County Threshold CriteriaA. Applicant Eligibility The City of Shelby is a legally incorporated entity in the State of Montana, pursuant to Section 7-5-201, Montana Code Annotated. The City of Shelby has the legal jurisdiction and authority to finance, operate and maintain community property and services. City of Shelby is an eligible applicant for a Cleanup Grant as a government entity created by the State Legislature. B. Community Notification Community involvement has been critical to the cleanup, renovation and proposed revitalization of the Middle School building. Community involvement began when Shelby School District #14 proposed a new K-6 elementary school. Of major concern to the community was the abandonment of the school building and the potential for revitalization. The Shelby Middle School has the most historical significance of the three school buildings abandoned and the community has a tremendous sentimental value placed with this building. Through the cooperative efforts of the Board of Trustees of School District #14 and the City of Shelby, plans were drafted for revitalization, thus ensuring the community of future use of the building.
Of recent, the City of Shelby has held six public meetings, including two city council meeting, one Shelby School District trustee meeting, one Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce meeting and two general public meetings to inform the community of this proposal and provide them with copies of the proposal for their review.
These public meetings have been advertised through the Shelby Promoter, our local weekly paper, KSEN Radio, and Mayor Bonderud’s weekly radio program. Public comment, input and ideas have been incorporated into this proposal. The City of Shelby has partnered with several local business groups, the Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce and School District #14 to promote public support and participation and local funding for this project. (Attachment A)
Comments from the community and elected officials have been included in this proposal. The following individuals and organizations support this proposal as evidenced by their letters attached.
· Toole County Commissioners · School District #14 · Sweetgrass Economic Development District · State Jerry Black · Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce · Shelby Merchant Association · Marias Medical Center · Crossroads Correctional Center
C. Letter from the State Environmental Authority The Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Remediation Division, has provided a letter of support, dated October---, 2004, for the City of Shelby Cleanup Grant proposal. (Attachment B) D. Site Eligibility and Property Ownership Eligibility
1. We are not seeking a waiver of the $200,000 per site fund limit. 2. The Middle School building is eligible for funding without a property-specific determination. The building is not listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List. It is not subject to unilateral administrative orders, court orders, administrative orders on consent, or judicial consent decrees issued to or entered into by parties under CERCLA. It is not subject to the jurisdiction custody, or control of the United State government.
3. Site Description: a. Site Name: Shelby Middle School b. Site Address: The building is located at 133 6th Ave. So. Shelby, Montana. The school site is located at the intersection of Main Street and 6th Ave., a major through street in Shelby. The school has large greenspaces, tetherball areas, basketball courts and an open field for team sports. c. Contamination: The site is contaminated with friable ACBM. d. Operational History and Environmental Concerns: The Middle School was originally Shelby’s High School, built in 1931. The school was believed to be funded through the school district’s issuance of bonds. The land was purchased from private individuals prior to construction. The original assessment as directed by federal law was completed in October 1988. Friable ACBM was confirmed within the building. In the four areas studied, Chrysotile was found in each of these areas. Areas included the hot water holding tank in the boiler room, the surfacing material on wall in gym where the heater is located, the insulation in the walls of the gym laundry room, the pipe and fitting insulation in several areas including the laundry room and boiler room. Under the school district’s maintenance plan, re-inspection of the building was to take place every 3 years. School District #14 did do several abatement projects within that time period. Subsequent inspections refer to the presence of the asbestos and the need for further evaluation before any removal projects. The City of Shelby has contracted with Maxim Technologies, Great Falls for the Phase 1 Site Assessment of the Middle School building. e. Current Use: The building is currently used sporadically for extra gym space for high school athletics and adult aerobics. The school was closed after renovations at Shelby High School and the completion of the new K-6 elementary school in September of 2003. The city has a contingency offer with School District #14 for the purchase of the building if the cleanup grant is approved for this building site. The city plans to renovate the school for a new Head Start facility, adult education center, 21st Century Learning Center or possibly a Boys & Girls Club for the youth of our community. The greenspaces and play areas would be incorporated in the city’s park system for updates and maintenance.
4. Phase of Assessment: a. As mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Shelby Middle School was originally inspected in 1988 by Ken Ballantyne, R.S., Toole County Environmental Health. The assessment found hazardous substances in pipe and fitting insulation, wall materials and water holding tank. Asbestos inspections have been completed every 3 years as per AHERA requirements with the last inspection taking place November 9, 2000 under the supervision of Gerald L. Klein, MTA2083/Montana. Abatement projects have been done in the past decade, but no removal has been done. Maxim Technologies is under contract to complete the ASTM Phase 1 Site Assessment.
5. Site Ownership: a. The City of Shelby has established an agreement with School District #14 for conveyance of the building when and if the proposed cleanup grant is approved. The city would then immediately take ownership of the property for revitalization.
6. Contamination: a. As found in the insulation and coverings used in construction during this time period, asbestos was used in the pipe and fitting insulation, wall material near a heating system, and water holding tanks in the boiler room.
7. Enforcement Actions: a. There are no ongoing or anticipated environmental enforcement actions related to this site for which funding is sought. No orders or issues have been imposed from federal, state or local government entities. 8. Ownership: a. The City of Shelby will take ownership of said property when this brownfield application is approved. By conveying the property, the city will do the initial cleanup and renovation of the property. At that time school officials will partner with the City of Shelby to create an adult learning center, 21st Century Learning Center and /or a Boys & Girls Club. The city’s first priority for the building is to continue it as a learning center. There is a tremendous need for alternate learning for adults as well as those children in most need in our community.
b. The Middle School has been partially vacant since the move of our middle school students to the remodeled high school and the completion of the K-6 elementary school. The greenspaces, including the sizeable yard around the school, the tetherball courts, basketball courts and open field have been maintained by the School District, but the city has also worked to maintain the outer edges of the property.
c. Through grant approval, the City of Shelby will take the first steps in removal of all hazardous substances. At the present time, the site is being partially used (primarily the gym area) for extra-curricular activities by high school students and adult aerobic classes. Areas of the school are restricted, where there is any chance of exposure to any hazardous substances. E. Cleanup Authority and Oversight Structure 1. Mayor Larry J. Bonderud, the Shelby city council and city building inspector, Jim Yeagley are the designated cleanup authority for the cleanup and removal of hazardous substances in the Middle School building. CTA Architects and Engineering and Maxim Technologies, both of Great Falls will provide the technical expertise in drawing plans for the removal and disposal of any hazardous substances on site. Maxim Technologies will designate the specifications and proposal requirements for a licensed company to do the actual removal and disposal. 2. Cleanup response activities will be kept to minimum disruption, as the Shelby landfill is a designated hazardous disposal site for asbestos. The building site encompasses the entire block leaving no adjacent property owners. The City of Shelby will do everything in its powers to ensure the health and well being of residential property owners who live across the street from the building during the removal and disposal process. F. Cost Share The City of Shelby has secured over $40,000 in removal and disposal funds with in-kind services and funding for this project. Funds have also been secured through the city’s budget for the ASTM Phase 1 Site Assessment. G. Cleanup Grant Budget (waiting for Maxim Technologies) H. Community Need 1. The City of Shelby is committed to renovated and revitalizing this building. Community members were ensured during the bid for construction of the new elementary school that this building would be revitalized and the greenspaces and play area would be maintained for the children of our community. The small community of 3,304 relies heavily on agriculture for community support. In past years, land values have deteriorated, crops dried up and Main Street has suffered. The City of Shelby is continually working to promote and improve Shelby. Plans have been drawn up to create a new learning environment at the Shelby Middle School. The main floor of the Middle School would become a new Head Start Center. Currently Head Start is using the old Catholic School. Layout is not adequate for the existing needs and there is no outdoor play area available unless students cross a busy intersection. There is also no parking available for Head Start bus parking. The upper floor of the Middle School would become an adult learning center, possibly including a satellite nursing school. Through the Marias Medical Center citizens have been able to take college credits in the nursing program through a satellite program. Limited space in the high school have been prohibitive to the advancement of this program and by creating a learning area such as this, student population and utilization would increase giving many more the opportunity to learn. Citizens have also requested more opportunity to advance their education as well as students who need an alternative learning environment. Such a learning center would provide an excellent opportunity for incredible education advancement for community members. The space could also be utilized as a 21st Century Learning Center and /or Boys and Girls Club. Both programs would offer the after-school programs so many children in our community need. Both programs are geared to children most in need of extra learning opportunities with caring adults in safe, protected environments. The gym/stage area would be remodeled for a home for the community theatre group and keep the existing gym floor for use by the schools and city alike. The basement of the building would be used as storage spaces. All these programs would create additional employment opportunities, contribute to our local tax base and most importantly create new and innovative learning environments for the citizens of Shelby. 2. The community of Shelby has had asbestos contamination in the old hospital and former employment office. Country officials did not request a cleanup grant on either of these properties, but did conduct a cleanup and removal before renovating these buildings. County officials issued a general bond for the renovation of the hospital for an assisted living facility and city office space. The employment office was funded through PILT (payment in lieu of taxes). I. Sustainable Reuse of Brownfields 1. The City of Shelby is in a unique position in reclamation, renovation and re-investment in our community. In partnership with School District #14, the city is working to create a viable alternative for the building. The first priority for the building is the removal of all hazardous materials, creating an environmentally safe building and play area. With reclamation completed, renovation will begin. Renovation will provide increased job creation, local purchasing, and enhanced property values for the area and surrounding neighborhood. The building would reuse the existing infrastructure, as it is centrally located within the city. The new facility would enhance the community. It would create an incredible learning environment for the entire community to grow with. By revitalizing the building, further abandonment and a future brownfield site would not be an issue. J. Creation and/or Preservation of Greenspaces/Open Spaces and Nonprofit Purpose property including the greenspaces and play areas. The city plans to expand the community park system with the Middle School greenspaces and play areas. A new park and play structure area would be established for the Head Start and Boys & Girls Club. The greenspaces would continue to be maintained with picnic table and benches. K. Community Involvement Been and will continue to be a community effort involving the local city council, School District #14, business leaders and community members at large. Local citizen input and ideas have been incorporated into this redevelopment project. Local support and input has been integral in the assessment of the property, plans for revitalization and design ideas. As stated earlier in this proposal, six public meetings have been held as well as countless unstructured visits with citizens to inform them about this proposal and subsequent renovation. 2. The City of Shelby is working closely with Toole County officials, School District #14, Marias Medical Center and Sweetgrass Economic Development District, a regional development corporation to ensure appropriate and sustainable cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields in our community, which in this case, are the three abandoned schools. this proposal and are in support of this cleanup effort. · Toole County Commissioners: Alan Underdahl, Chairman (406) 424-8310 (County governing body) Working in partnership with city to revitalize public buildings. · School District #14: Tom Rogers, Superintendent (406) 434-2622 (Educational institution) Working in partnership with city to reutilize abandoned schools. · Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce: Sean Pahut, President (406) 434-7184 (Local business group) · Shelby Merchant Association: Diana Adamson, President (406) 434-7106 (Local business group) · Northern Express Transit Authority: Larry Bonderud, Director (406) 434-5203 (Local economic development) Coordinating efforts with the city to encourage local development. · Sweetgrass Economic Dev. District: Elaina Zempel, Dir. (406) 271-7237 (Regional economic development) Working regionally to foster economic growth. · Marias Medical Center: Mark Cross, Administrator (406) 434-3200 (Principal county employer) · Crossroads Correctional Center: Jim McDonald, Warden (406) 434-7055 (Major private employer) L. Reduction of Threats to Human Health and the Environment 1. The funds will be used to eliminate any threat to human health the environment and make this building a viable, reusable facility for continued local economic development and community enrichment. All removal, transportation and remediation activities will conform to state and federal regulations for air discharge, as related to construction activities within or near urban and suburban areas. All sampling activities will utilize DEQ prescribed methods for sample disposal and equipment decontamination procedures to reduce workers potential exposure to hazardous substances. 2. The City of Shelby is working with our local public health department to ensure the protection of human health and the environment in the reclamation of the building. The city is more than willing to cooperate with the Montana Voluntary Cleanup and Redevelopment Act to ensure the proposed cleanup will be conducted with the consideration of public health issues first and foremost. 3. The proposed cleanup of the site and estimated costs…. (waiting on proposal – Maxim Technologies) 4. The proposed cleanup of the Shelby Middle School building will Allow for the revitalization of this site. Any renovations or development of the property is stymied until removal of the hazardous substances is accomplished. The City of Shelby will work under all Federal and State laws to ensure the well-being and health of the citizens of Shelby in the reclamation process. M. Leveraging of Additional Resources 1. The Middle School building is 30,135 square feet. The estimated Cost of removal and disposal of the hazardous substances within the building is approximately $ --- per square foot. The City of Shelby has over $--- in funds and services to meet the needs of the initial project. Approximately $10,000.00 has been spent on investigative work, assessments and architectural work for the redesign of the building. The redevelopment phase of this project will cost approximately $2,020,639.00 . Redevelopment funding will be |
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