It's nearly membership renewal time! Here's a reminder of the benefits of being an LBA member. Look for our membership renewal email in the coming weeks!
LBA MISSION
LBA’s mission is to promote a broad range of Brownfields-related objectives and initiatives, including environmental restoration, economic revitalization, natural resource preservation, conservation and recreational-based beneficial reuse, enhancement of financial and regulatory incentives, job creation and training, public health, environmental equity and justice and community outreach and education.
LBA METHOD
The LBA strives to accomplish this mission through partnership with a diverse membership that includes a wide variety of stakeholders, including property owners; developers; local, State, and Federal agency representatives; urban and regional planners; regulatory experts; community leaders; legal experts; financial and insurance industry representatives; environmental professionals, and other parties that may be interested in promoting Brownfield-related goals.
LBA recently received funding from EPA’s outreach contractor, Kansas State University (KSU) Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB), to provide outreach and assistance in Louisiana. In addition, LBA now works in partnership with KSU TAB to facilitate a structured engagement to share ideas with other KSU TAB partners throughout the US. This partnership enables the LBA to provide our members with the latest technical insights supported by national experience.
JOIN US!
The LBA is a non-profit organization and is looking for interested individuals who would like to play an important role in shaping Brownfields redevelopment in Louisiana. Please consider joining LBA as an individual or corporate member. Member benefits include:
Membership Meetings (learning and networking)
Calendar of Events
Newsletter
Letters of Support for Brownfields Grant Applications
Networking Opportunities
Grant Application Support and Reviews
Brownfields Program Guidance Workshops (KSU TAB/EPA/LDEQ)
New Grantee Support
Competitive Student Scholarship to National Brownfields Conference
Did you miss the “Making it Happen: Brownfield Resources in Louisiana” workshop in Shreveport last week? Over 40 attendees heard from 11 presenters on a variety of topics. Here is a recap of speakers, topics and discussion.
The welcome address included remarks from multiple people, setting the tone for the speakers and discussion throughout the workshop. Ms. Pam Atchison, of the Shreveport Regional Arts
Council, the facility host for the workshop, shared the story of the facility itself, which included Brownfield money 10 years ago to repurpose a underutilized fire station. Mr. Roger Gingles, with LDEQ, shared Louisiana’s history with the Brownfields program, and shared some amazing statistics on what has been accomplished; and reiterated the exciting news that the LDEQ’s Brownfield Resources group has tripled in staff, providing additional resources for our state.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Camisha Scott Marshall, from EPA Region 6, stated “Brownfields are the heart of a community”. She shared statistics about the program’s success, as well as some new items that resulted from the 2018 Build Act.
An LBA Board Member, Chad Lacombe of Acadiana Planning Commission, shared his thoughts on “Prioritizing Sites: What Makes a Project a Good Candidate for Brownfields?”. He shared some background on what planning activities they have done, as well as examples of both an inner-city and a rural example of projects in progress utilizing Brownfields.
After lunch, John Sutherlin from the University of Louisiana Monroe, provided his ideas on the topic “Building your Brownfield Network – Who to Involve and How to Find Them”. Sharing a soup bowl full of agency acronyms, he discussed many of them with some of the grant opportunities each has, with examples of how they can work in tandem for your Brownfield project. One of his main takeaways was to remember “you are not alone” there are people available to be resources and help walk you through the process.
“Preparing for the Brownfield Grant Competition: Identifying Target Areas” was discusses as a tag team approach, by two Shreveport locals. Mr. Wes Wyche, with the City of Shreveport, shared an example of how strategic geographic area identification can lead to a ‘domino effect’ for development. Followed by Pat Murphy of the Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana and LBA’s Vice President, who shared his winning example that started with a VISION.
Kim Mitchell, Director of Center and Institute for Community Renewal, spoke on “Thinking Creatively about Brownfields”. Mr. Mitchell started with the challenges community visions often face, and dived into the leadership components of what it takes to actually implement a vision. His talk included not only leadership skills and book suggestions; but discussed a corridor example where this method has been successful.
Day One was wrapped up with “Getting to Know Your Brownfield Resources” a joint discussion by EPA, LDEQ, City of Shreveport, and KSU Tab. One of the main takeaways, is that EPA Region 6, now has a greater voice for Region 6 applicants in the grant process.
Day Two began with an overview of a award winning plan and area, “Shreveport Common: An Uncommon Cultural District – Brownfield Redevelopment Past Successes and Future Plans”. Ms. Wendy Benscoter, Executive Director, of Shreveport Commons, sharing the intricacies, challenges, and successes to date. She also shared the existing and future plans for the area.
“Building Your Brownfield Team” discussed by both Blase Leven of KSU Tab and Rebecca Otte of LDEQ. Both shared their thoughts on how a successful Brownfield Program is all about the team, including the Leader.
Wrapping up the exhilarating workshop with “Preparing for the Grant Competition – Tips for a Successful Proposal”. Ms. Camisha Scott Marshall opened up the session with the concept of ‘Tell Your Story’ through a song from the beloved Mister Rogers Neighborhood.
After a day and half of full of great speakers, networking and a room full of people in support of Brownfields; attendees were left with lots of thoughts. Continue to follow LBA to find out more about spotlight Brownfield projects and other topics to help you visualize example of how Brownfields can continue to work for you.
If you are feeling a little fear of missing out, you still have time to make plans to attend the Brownfield Workshop to be held in New Orleans at the end of July.
On September 6, 2018 an Awards Ceremony was held at the Rose Collaborative Site (formerly Bayou Treme Center) in New Orleans, LA. Awards were presented by Dr. Chuck Carr Brown, LDEQ, and Mr. Carl Edlund, EPA Region 6 Superfund Division, to RPC,
Providence, Aerostar, Alembic Community Development, Rose Community Development Corporation (CDC), and the Archdiocese of New Orleans for their contributions to the
successful redevelopment of a former church, residence, and school buildings that had been vacant at least since 2005. Rose CDC and their development partner, Alembic Community Development, transformed the Property into a hub for arts, education and entrepreneurship.
Providence Engineering and Environmental Group LLC (Providence) completed Agency negotiations, a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), Remedial Investigation Work Plan/Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) investigation application forms, and Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, including soil and groundwater sampling and asbestos and lead paint surveys, on Property containing a former church and school buildings. Providence provided oversight for removal, confirmatory sampling, and regulatory closure of diesel and heating oil underground storage tanks at the site. Assessments were conducted and reported under the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s (LDEQ’s) Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program (RECAP); a No Further Action – At This Time (NFA-ATT) letter was issued by LDEQ. All work was completed under the Regional Planning Commission’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program which is supported through funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information about the Rose Collaborative visit their website: https://www.rosecollaborative.com
