Village of Ballston Spa awarded a $153,000 Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Nomination Grant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Village of Ballston Spa wins Brownfield grant
December 17, 2021
Contact information:
Mayor Christine M. Fitzpatrick
518.885.5711
Village of Ballston Spa awarded a $153,000 Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Nomination Grant
Village of Ballston Spa has been awarded a $153,000 competitive grant from the New York Department of State Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Program for a BOA Nomination Plan.
The Village of Ballston Spa intends to develop a BOA Nomination Plan for a 176-acre area encompassing a substantial portion of the downtown center along NYS Rt. 50, and two adjacent water bodies - the Gordon and Kayaderosseras Creeks. The village intends to prioritize four areas for redevelopment within the BOA to create transformative redevelopment of the central core of the village, increase access to waterfront property, and return underutilized properties to productive use.
The purpose of the funding request is to prepare a Brownfield Opportunity Area Nomination Study in compliance with the NYSDOS brownfield redevelopment program. The study will focus on what are called ‘brownfield’ sites that may or may not have contamination associated with them. They can just be vacant buildings or properties that have the potential for redevelopment. The idea behind the BOA program is to identify key properties that, when they are redeveloped, revitalizes the whole area.
Once the BOA Nomination Study is complete, the Village will request BOA designation from the Secretary of State. This official designation allows developers who are participating in the voluntary Brownfield Cleanup Program to receive a tax credit “bump-up” to redevelop the sites in a manner that is consistent with the community’s vision and Secretary-approved plan. Designated BOAs also receive priority and preference for some state grant programs, including DOS’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program and the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Environmental Restoration Program.
Lisa Nagle, Principal with Elan Panning & Design in Saratoga Springs assisted the Village in the preparation of the grant application. The grant of $153,000 requires a $17,000 match (10%) from the Village and will allow the Village to hire a consultant to work with Village property owners and developers to prepare the Brownfield Opportunity Area Nomination Study. The study is expected to take approximately 14 months to complete and will involve a study of community assets, an understanding of the market opportunities, and extensive public input.
Mayor Christine M. Fitzpatrick said, “This grant funded study, along with our efforts over the last two and a half years, including the Economic Development Plan (2020), Complete Streets Workshop (2020), Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (2021), updated Comprehensive Plan (underway), Urban Forestry Plan (underway) and upcoming infrastructure studies will lead to a revitalized Ballston Spa; an even more appealing place to live, work and visit.”