DNR Awards Brownfield Grant to City of Berlin

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the award of a Brownfield Grant to the city of Berlin to assist with the investigation of potential contamination at the former location of a glove factory and lumber company.

The award is from the DNR’s Wisconsin Assessment Monies program, which provides contractor services for the environmental assessment of eligible brownfield properties. A brownfield is a property where expansion, redevelopment or reuse is complicated by real or potential contamination. Brownfields vary in size, location, age and past use.

The approximately 0.5-acre property, located adjacent to the Fox River, was once the location of a woolen mill, glove factory and lumber yard. The structures on the now vacant property were removed in the 1970s. The property was given to the city, and the award will help identify the presence of contamination before the city takes title to the property.

“Conducting an environmental assessment of this vacant property will give the city the information it needs to make a decision about the best next step,” said Jodie Thistle, Wisconsin DNR brownfields, outreach and policy section manager. “The DNR is glad to provide support for the environmental assessment necessary to get the property one step closer to reuse.”

Since 2009, the DNR’s Wisconsin Assessment Monies program has provided over $3.5 million to over 70 communities across Wisconsin, partnering to help clean up and redevelop often run-down or underused properties that detract from a community’s potential. Applications for assistance may be submitted to the DNR at any time.

The DNR has a wide range of financial and liability tools available to help local governments, businesses, lenders and others clean up and redevelop brownfields in Wisconsin, including Ready for Reuse financial awards, which may be used for environmental cleanup. DNR staff around the state are available to meet with community leaders, bankers, developers and private individuals to discuss brownfield projects through Green Team meetings.

More information about the DNR’s brownfield cleanup programs and services is available on the DNR’s brownfields webpage.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.