Brownfield Redevelopment

BOA Program Steps & Outcomes

An Overview of the Program's Process

Communities may apply to enter the program at the most appropriate of the three program steps described below leading to New York State's designation of the BOA.

Step 1: Pre-Nomination Study

The Pre-Nomination Study is intended for communities that are highly uncertain about existing conditions and have minimal or no information about brownfields that are impacting their community. The Pre-Nomination Study provides a preliminary description and analysis of the proposed BOA and sets the stage for more detailed work.

Step 1 Report Contents

Step 1 consists of a report, with appropriate supporting map graphics, that contains the following
(see BOA Program Guidance for Applicants for more on contents):

Description of the Proposed Project, Boundary and Public Participation Process
• Community Overview and Description
• Project Overview and Description
• Project Area Boundary Description and Justification
• Community Vision and Goals and Objectives
• Community Participation Techniques and/or Process
• Preliminary Analysis of the Brownfield Opportunity Area
• Existing Land Use and Zoning
• Brownfield, Abandoned and Vacant Sites
• Land Ownership
• Natural Resources
• Summary and Preliminary Analysis

Step 1 Outcomes

There are four primary outcomes from Step 1:

• The community will clearly identify and describe a manageable study area.
• They will begin to form the partnerships and conduct the public outreach and community visioning process they will need to succeed.
• A preliminary analysis that identifies compelling opportunities for revitalization.
• A scope of work for Step 2.

Advancing to Step 2

Upon receipt and acceptance of a satisfactory Pre-Nomination Study, the participant may submit an application for a Step 2 Nomination.

Step 2: Nomination

The Nomination is intended for communities that have enough information to generate a Pre-Nomination Study on their own, but need assistance to prepare a Nomination that thoroughly describes existing conditions, assets and opportunities. The Nomination provides an in-depth and thorough description and analysis, including an economic and market trends analysis, of existing conditions, assets, opportunities, and reuse potential of strategic brownfield sites that are catalysts for revitalization.

Step 2 Report Contents

Step 2 consists of a report, with appropriate supporting map graphics, that contains the following
(see BOA Program Guidance for Applicants for more on contents):

Section 1 - Description of the Project and Boundary

• Lead Project Sponsors
• Project Overview and Description
• Community Vision, Goals and Objectives
• Project Boundary Description and Justification

Section 2 - Public Participation Plan and Techniques to Enlist Partners

• Public Participation Plan
• Techniques to Enlist Partners

Section 3 - Inventory and Analysis of the Proposed Brownfield Opportunity Area

• Community and Regional Setting
• Inventory and Analysis
• Existing Land Use, Zoning, and Economic Districts/Designations

-- Brownfield Sites
-- Strategic Sites
-- Land Ownership
-- Building Inventory
-- Historic or Archeologically Significant Areas
-- Transportation Systems
-- Infrastructure
-- Natural Resources and Environmental Features
-- Economic and Market Trends Analysis
• Analysis, Findings and Recommendations of the BOA and Strategic Sites

Step 2 Outcomes

There are four primary outcomes from Step 1:
• The community will clearly identify and describe a manageable study area.
• They will begin to form the partnerships and conduct the public outreach and community visioning process they will need to succeed.
• A preliminary analysis that identifies compelling opportunities for revitalization.
• A scope of work for Step 2.

Review of Step 2 Report

The Nomination will be circulated for review and comment by area residents and agencies.

Advancing to Step 3

Upon receipt and acceptance of a satisfactory Nomination, the participant may submit an application for project advancement to complete a Step 3 Implementation Strategy and/or Site Assessments. At the conclusion of the Nomination, the participant is encouraged to meet with the NYS Departments of Environmental Conservation and State to discuss the status of strategic sites and to discuss which sites would be most competitive for site assessment funding.

Step 3: Implementation Strategy and/or Site Assessments

The Implementation Strategy provides a description of the techniques and actions that will be undertaken to advance redevelopment and community revitalization and describes how the requirements of the NYS Environmental Quality Review Act have been met.
Site assessments are completed for strategic brownfield sites that are identified in the Nomination, concurrent with progress on the Implementation Strategy. Key findings from the site assessment reports are factored into the Implementation Strategy. Remedial investigations are used to design a conceptual level remediation strategy for priority brownfield sites.

Step 3 consists of a report, with appropriate supporting map graphics, that contains the following
(see BOA Program Guidance for Applicants for more on contents):
Site Assessments - (see the BOA Program Guidance for Applicants for the content requirements of Site Assessments associated with the Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program).
Section 4 - Implementation Strategy
• Defining Future Uses
-- Definition of Future Land Uses for all Sites
-- Reuse of Strategic Brownfield Sites: Cost Benefit Scenario
-- Design Alternatives and Illustrations for Priority Brownfield Sites
-- Profiles of Strategic Brownfield Sites for Marketing Purposes
• Land Use Implementation Techniques
-- Zoning and Other Local Laws
-- New or Modifications to Existing Economic Districts or Designations
-- Design Standards and Guidelines for Buildings
-- Best Management Practices to Minimize Impacts to Natural Features
• Implementation Projects
• Construction Projects
-- Redevelopment Projects
-- Transportation Projects
-- Infrastructure Projects
-- Public Improvement Projects
-- Environmental Improvement Projects
-- Preconstruction Projects (design, construction documents, permits)
-- Studies, Reports, Investigations, or Feasibility Assessments
• Local Management Structure to Implement BOA
• Lead Entity to Ensure Implementation
• Regional, State and Federal Actions and Programs for Implementation
Section 5 - State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)
This section will describe how the applicant has complied with SEQRA. Participants that make a positive determination early in the process will prepare a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (see the BOA Program Guidance for Applicants for the advantages to preparing a GEIS).
The GEIS can be completed simultaneously and blended entirely into the Nomination and Implementation Strategy to the degree that they are one in the same

Step 3 Outcomes

There are four concrete outcomes from Step 3:

• Communities, will have determined what their brownfield sites are ideally suited for and have established an effective strategy to leverage needed redevelopment and investigation for community revitalization.
• Communities will have completed an Implementation Strategy to ensure desired uses materialize on brownfield sites and that their objectives for revitalization are achieved.
• Will market strategic sites to developers consistent with the future vision for the site as expressed in their revitalization strategy.
Communities will have a marketing brochure and undertake other means to assist in building public and private support for the revitalization of their community. The brochure will summarize and describe priority projects, including public-sector and private-sector roles, responsibilities, and investments to achieve revitalization objectives.

Review of Step 3 Report

The completed Nomination and Implementation Strategy will be circulated for review and comment by area residents, and local, state, and federal agencies. The applicant submits the Nomination and Implementation Strategy to the NYS Secretary of State for approval and designation of the Brownfield Opportunity Area.

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