The Brownfield Opportunity Area Program OER-NPCR Capacity Building Workshop November 23, 2010

Administered by NYS DOS Administered by NYS DOS Area-wide planning for brownfield redevelopment Area-wide planning for brownfield redevelopment Addresses community wide improvement Addresses community wide improvement Flexible funding source for planning and pre- Flexible funding source for planning and pre- development activities development activities BOA funds support a collaborative planning process BOA funds support a collaborative planning process The Brownfield Opportunity Area Program

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

The BOA Planning Process: Supports relationship building across diverse Supports relationship building across diverse community interest groups 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 Makes possible new partnerships or achieve special designations designations BOA Opportunities

Step 1 – Pre-Nomination Step 1 – Pre-Nomination Provides a preliminary description and analysis of the proposed Brownfield Opportunity Area Step 2 – Nomination Study 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 Step 3 – Implementation Strategy Provides funding to identify strategic actions to facilitate BOA plan implementation Designation of a BOA Designation of a BOA Process may culminate in the designation of a BOA The BOA Process

Using BOA Funding: Step 2 Site Reconnaissance and Analysis Assessment of structures, buildings, or Assessment of structures, buildings, or facilities on project site facilities on project site Infrastructure Analysis Infrastructure Analysis Assessment of transportation/circulation Assessment of transportation/circulation systems systems Topography and hydrology Topography and hydrology Zoning and other applicable designations Zoning and other applicable designations Analysis of site constraints, needs and Analysis of site constraints, needs and opportunities opportunities Site Build-out Assessment and Analysis Build-out and bulk analysis Build-out and bulk analysis Visual analysis/shadow analysis Visual analysis/shadow analysis Other impact assessments per SEQRA Other impact assessments per SEQRA Site Specific Redevelopment Analysis Redevelopment feasibility analysis Redevelopment feasibility analysis Market demand study Market demand study Highest and best use study to Highest and best use study to determine optimal land value determine optimal land value Gap analysis to determine need for Gap analysis to determine need for financial subsidies financial subsidies Land Assemblage Analysis and Strategies Property assemblage strategies Property assemblage strategies Ownership survey and analysis Ownership survey and analysis Tax lien properties analysis Tax lien properties analysis Relocation feasibility analysis Relocation feasibility analysis

Using BOA Funding: Step 3 Activities to advance redevelopment on strategic sites such as: Title searches Title searches Property appraisals Property appraisals Site surveys Site surveys Conceptual/schematic site or Conceptual/schematic site or building design building design Redevelopment cost estimation Redevelopment cost estimation Identifying opportunities for Identifying opportunities for sustainable design and energy sustainable design and energy efficiency efficiency Website development Website development Developing marketing strategies Developing marketing strategies Requests for proposals for Requests for proposals for developer/operator developer/operator Tenant attraction activities Tenant attraction activities Activities to advance area-wide revitalization: Infrastructure and transportation improvement studies improvement studies Grant writing for plan implementation Grant writing for plan implementation Development of community benefit Development of community benefit agreements agreements Establishing business Improvement Establishing business Improvement Districts Districts Establishing Urban Renewal Areas or Establishing Urban Renewal Areas or Empire Zones Empire Zones Advancing or supporting rezoning Advancing or supporting rezoning efforts 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 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 Multiple grant programs within DOS, DEC and Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Restore New York Restore New York Brownfield Tax Credit Bonus Brownfield Tax Credit Bonus Upstate/ Downstate Revitalization ESD Funds Upstate/ Downstate Revitalization ESD Funds NYC BIG program NYC BIG program

Application process Application process - Accepted on a rolling basis but advanced for final approval twice annually in May and September twice annually in May and September BOA Award Process BOA Award Process - Most BOA awards subject to legislative MOU -Takes up to 12 months Contract Approval Contract Approval - Requires review by multiple state agencies - Can take up to 12 months to complete - 25% payment advance upon execution BOA Timeline

BOA Planning Process Convene a Local Steering Committee Convene a Local Steering Committee Ongoing Public Outreach and Communication Ongoing Public Outreach and Communication Consultant Procurement Consultant Procurement Research, analysis and pre-development activities Research, analysis and pre-development activities Final Report Submission Final Report Submission BOA Planning timeline is dependent on many variables including depth and types of analysis to be conducted.

Advancing through the Steps of the BOA program: The culminating point of each Step is the submission of a report to The culminating point of each Step is the submission of a report to DOS DOS Final report review and approval is an iterative process Final report review and approval is an iterative process Each Step in the process requires a distinct application and Each Step in the process requires a distinct application and contracting process contracting process It is difficult for CBOs to continue work between BOA phases It is difficult for CBOs to continue work between BOA phases - No dedicated source of bridge funding - No dedicated source of bridge funding - BOA grantees usually discontinue activities prior to payment advance - BOA grantees usually discontinue activities prior to payment advance Program Advancement

Takeaways BOA Funds support area wide planning as well as pre- BOA Funds support area wide planning as well as pre- development activities development activities NYC CBOs vary in their goals and priorities for BOA projects NYC CBOs vary in their goals and priorities for BOA projects State administrative and legislative processes and State administrative and legislative processes and unpredictable access to funding may slow down CBO planning unpredictable access to funding may slow down CBO planning and development activities and development activities Program has improved over its lifespan and is still Program has improved over its lifespan and is still maturing maturing