The City of Newark has undertaken the steps needed to allow for the redevelopment of multiple abandoned industrial sites, including a leather factory, petroleum distributor, fat rendering factory, chemicals manufacturer, and multiple gasoline service stations, for transformation into vital, useful real estate assets. Since 2016, VHB has worked with the City of Newark on these complex sites providing grant funding and environmental consulting services, and performing numerous environmental site assessments, site investigations, and remedial investigations.
Through preparation, submittal, and securing of grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), VHB has helped the City receive two $200,000 USEPA Brownfield Grants, two USEPA Multipurpose Brownfield Grants totaling $800,000, and $390,000 in NJDEP Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund Grants. VHB assisted the City in the evaluation of grant offerings, along with the selection and prioritization of eligible sites. For the selected sites, the VHB team developed scopes of work and cost estimates to perform assessment and investigation activities and remedial actions, and prepared grant applications and supporting documentation on the City’s behalf. VHB currently serves as the liaison with the granting agencies, provides management support, and prepares regular progress reports for the city and the granting agencies.
