Address: N Fargo Street & N Williams Avenue
Date of site approval: 2012
Acreage: 0.16
Zoning: high-density residential

This property, located on the corner of N Fargo and N Williams, has been vacant for over 15 years.  Recent development interest sparked a Phase I environmental site assessment (ESA), which revealed a dry cleaner operated here in the 1960s.  The site is also immediately adjacent to the Nurnberg Scientific site where extensive assessment has been conducted because of past use.  Sale and development of this property were stalled until environmental issues could be fully understood.

The property owner contacted the Brownfield Program for assistance with a Phase II environmental investigation.  Although the Phase II ESA revealed a small amount of contamination associated with past use, levels are low and will not require soil removal.

With ongoing support from the Brownfield Program, the owner worked with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to secure a No Further Action letter.  The property later sold and the new purchasers plan on moving forward with a net-zero, mixed-use development incorporating solar power, recycled and local building materials, resident gardening space, bioswales, and support for rapid transit and bicycle use.  The majority of the ground floor is anticipated as commercial and retail space to promote sidewalk and neighborhood activity.

"What the brownfield program allowed us to do was to cut the closing time significantly with [the purchasers] on the property.  Since the Phase I and Phase II had already been completed, we were able to provide all of those documents to them at the initial offer stage, indicating to them that we had already completed all of that work – which was a huge benefit to the transaction. I think that’s the biggest obstacle in many cases to overcome – for both lenders and buyers – that of a clean site…" - Mr. Reed, property owner