Transcript Slide 1

The Brownfield
Opportunity Area Program
OER-NPCR Capacity Building Workshop
November 23, 2010
The Brownfield Opportunity
Area Program
Administered by NYS DOS
Area-wide planning for brownfield redevelopment
Addresses community wide improvement
Flexible funding source for planning and predevelopment activities
BOA funds support a collaborative planning process
BOAs in NYC
 17 BOAs in New York City
 Broad diversity in BOA
groups and communities
 Varying priorities such as
waterfront access, open space,
enhanced mobility, affordable
housing and green jobs creation
 Distinct CBO Objectives
include creating a framework for
revitalization, highlighting an unmet
need, pursuing development
activities
BOA Opportunities
The BOA Planning Process:
Supports relationship building across diverse
community interest groups
Establishes an informed community vision
Leverages planned public improvements
Is an additional funding source for research and
analysis
Makes possible new partnerships or achieve special
designations
The BOA Process
Step 1 – Pre-Nomination
Provides a preliminary description and analysis of the proposed
Brownfield Opportunity Area
Step 2 – Nomination Study
Provides an in-depth and thorough description and analysis of the
proposed BOA and identifies strategic sites
Step 3 – Implementation Strategy
Provides funding to identify strategic actions to facilitate BOA plan
implementation
Designation of a BOA
Process may culminate in the designation of a BOA
Using BOA Funding: Step 2
Site Reconnaissance and Analysis
• Assessment of structures, buildings, or
facilities on project site
• Infrastructure Analysis
• Assessment of transportation/circulation
systems
• Topography and hydrology
• Zoning and other applicable designations
• Analysis of site constraints, needs and
opportunities
Site Build-out Assessment and
Analysis
• Build-out and bulk analysis
• Visual analysis/shadow analysis
• Other impact assessments per SEQRA
Site Specific Redevelopment
Analysis
• Redevelopment feasibility analysis
• Market demand study
• Highest and best use study to
determine optimal land value
• Gap analysis to determine need for
financial subsidies
Land Assemblage Analysis and
Strategies
• Property assemblage strategies
• Ownership survey and analysis
• Tax lien properties analysis
• Relocation feasibility analysis
Using BOA Funding: Step 3
Activities to advance
redevelopment on strategic
sites such as:
•Title searches
• Property appraisals
• Site surveys
• Conceptual/schematic site or
building design
• Redevelopment cost estimation
• Identifying opportunities for
sustainable design and energy
efficiency
• Website development
• Developing marketing strategies
• Requests for proposals for
developer/operator
• Tenant attraction activities
Activities to advance area-wide
revitalization:
• Infrastructure and transportation
improvement studies
• Grant writing for plan implementation
• Development of community benefit
agreements
• Establishing business Improvement
Districts
• Establishing Urban Renewal Areas or
Empire Zones
• Advancing or supporting rezoning
efforts
BOA Designation and Benefits
BOA Designation
Secretary of State may designate a BOA after Step 3: Implementation
Strategy is completed.
• Preference and priority for funding is conferred on projects in designated BOAs.
Preference and Priority
Funding programs that currently provide Preference and Priority to
BOA projects
• Multiple grant programs within DOS, DEC and Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation
• Restore New York
• Brownfield Tax Credit Bonus
• Upstate/ Downstate Revitalization ESD Funds
• NYC BIG program
BOA Timeline
- Accepted on a rolling basis but advanced for final approval
twice annually in May and September
BOA Award Process
- Most BOA awards subject to legislative MOU
-Takes up to 12 months
Contract Approval
- Requires review by multiple state agencies
- Can take up to 12 months to complete
- 25% payment advance upon execution
18 – 30 months from application to contract
Application process
BOA Planning Process
Convene a Local Steering Committee
Ongoing Public Outreach and Communication
Consultant Procurement
Research, analysis and pre-development activities
Final Report Submission
BOA Planning timeline is dependent on many variables
including depth and types of analysis to be conducted.
12 – 24 months from LSC convening to final report
BOA Timeline
Program Advancement
Advancing through the Steps of the BOA program:
The culminating point of each Step is the submission of a report to
DOS
Final report review and approval is an iterative process
Each Step in the process requires a distinct application and
contracting process
It is difficult for CBOs to continue work between BOA phases
- No dedicated source of bridge funding
- BOA grantees usually discontinue activities prior to payment advance
Takeaways
BOA Funds support area wide planning as well as predevelopment activities
NYC CBOs vary in their goals and priorities for BOA projects
State administrative and legislative processes and
unpredictable access to funding may slow down CBO planning
and development activities
Program has improved over its lifespan and is still
maturing