Blight to Bright: Old Mill turns into economic engine

Old industrial sites are often the most difficult to build. The Brownfield locations often hide dangerous chemicals that have been loved in the country, so that the soil, asbestos and other substances used in industry pollute. Developers cannot be sure of the size of the contamination and the costs of environmental remediation, making it difficult to get a grip on full project costs. The remediation of the environmental risks to the health of employees can also include that can lead to priceless liability costs.

None of these potential obstacles hinded the companies that re -developed a piece of polluted country into productive use in Columbus, GA. The country was occupied by Meritas Mills, a real estate built in 1909 that served for decades as a production facility for standard textile product company. An oil lock, composite cloth, leather cloth and slate cloth were made within the mills. The mill was left for almost 30 years before Vizion-driven communities and carpet development group decided to transform De Doorn into a housing construction with mixed income called Highland Terrace that has since become a thriving economic engine.

“To say that it was a challenging site, is an understatement,” says Judy Van Dyke, director and CEO of Vizion Driven Communities. “From the surface it looked like an almost ready-made site with a few old buildings and some waste on it.

“Even our environmental reports did not detect the extent of the problem that lay below the surface. It turned out that all old mill buildings that were previously removed were actually simply exploded in cellars and covered with soil. Not only were there chemical contaminants, there were also tons of debris.

Creative Credits

Vizion-driven communities and carpet development group were able to use previous tax credit experience in creating Highland Terrace I. The 102-unit Real Estate Houses Seniors aged 55 years and older and was made possible by a tax credit of 9%, together with all the important community partner parties. Collaborative partners were Mercy Medical, Buurwerk Columbus and Tros Springs Church, who contributed resources, ranging from healthcare services to a common garden to after -school guidance.

Tax credits also proved essential in the development of the 134 unit Highland Terrace II. The developers used 4% tax credits and funds of the Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP), drawn up under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. TCAP provides subsidies or loans with low -income housing tax projects (LIHTC), with the aim of stimulating the building and rehabilitation of affordable housing and rehabilitation of affordable housing and rehabilitation of affordable housing and rehabilitation Revitalize.

Highland Terrace I and II do not skimp on facilities. The communities offer residents a fitness center, business center and extra -green space for meetings.

Health care component

As part of Phase II, a new medical center was built in the community, with onsite health services supplied by Mercy Medical. Moreover, a state subsidy of $ 4 million helped to finance a commercial cuisine that promoted food entrepreneurs from the area.

The result: Beyond the obvious manifestation as a new housing community, Highland Terrace has emerged as a supporting neighborhood that offers health care and opportunities for work for those who live in the area of ​​Columbus.

As a bonus, the developers of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have received a letter that indicates that “no further action” is required, essentially an official recognition of the success of the Site remediation. “The catalytic impact of this project was downright great,” says Van Dyke. “As a developer, my goal is to create homes that are integrated into the community in a way that I would be proud of my mother to live there. This development certainly reaches that standard.”