Page 116 - Beyond Decommissioning

Relevant factors for redevelopment 97

amenity societies (e.g., Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, Georgian Group
l
Victorian Society and the Twentieth Century Society); and
local residents or community groups.
l

It should be noted that different stakeholders may have different objectives. To succeed, these
objectives must be reconciled and the stakeholders must have realistic expectations, otherwise
long delays or bottlenecks in negotiating redevelopment agreements and moving the scheme for-
ward are quite likely. It is usually advantageous for all partners to include public institutions even
where these do not have a landownership role: public entities may act as dialogue facilitators and
help reconcile different interests.

An attractive vision of the future use of the site that is effectively communicated to the
stakeholders can be very useful in receiving community and political support for the
redevelopment project.
Early community interactions, with a particular focus on the community’s desired
future, can elicit key components of the project vision and of the project goals.
Concrete activities to develop a vision for future site use include:

Discussions with local planning authorities, officials, and the public. These discussions will
l
help stakeholders gain input on realistic anticipated future uses of the land.
l Involvement of the entire community is critical. Significant efforts may be required to reach
out to and consult with segments of the community that may happen to remain isolated from
the main stream of information.
In developing the vision, project goals will be realized that are essential in planning for
redevelopment. This process can be iterative in that goals may be temporarily
unattainable due to financial or legal constraints, access, and limited reuse options.
Knowing the site history coupled with a realistic vision is crucial. Project vision is
more than a final plan and should be flexible. The goals of the project answer the ques-
tion: “Why is this project important?” and can assist the developer in addressing con-
cerns and obtaining support for the project from political, financial, regulatory, and
social stakeholders. The goals of the project should address the site-specific issues
of concern. Motivators or drivers for the redevelopment of a site can determine the
course of the process. Such drivers include those issues associated with ecological,
human health, social conditions, economic status, and political climate.
Ecological and human health drivers include consideration of hazardous substance,
and their actual or potential (or just perceived in some cases) threat to human health
and the environment. After cleanup, the levels of harmful substances in the air, soil,
and groundwater are decreased, improving the quality of the environment and public
health in nearby communities. It is essential that a thorough site assessment and risk
assessment of the site be performed to identify the cause, nature, and extent of any
remaining contamination and related threats to humans or the environment. The
results can be used in determining goals for cleanup, quantifying risks, determining
acceptable risk, and drafting cleanup plans that do not cause unnecessary delays or
costs in the redevelopment of the property. These goals specify: contaminant(s)