Heres the rough copy of my project abstract

The North Kamloops Revitalization and Brownfield Redevelopment Project

Assignment 3 – Abstract Outline and Sources

Darren Fransen

April 12/13

The purpose of this abstract is to analyze and investigate the findings of the research, while at the same justifying the projects ability to be applied to the proposed research question. "Is it feasible to reclaim a North Kamloops Brownfield property, that in turn requires a more substantial amount of effort than a conventional building site?” This abstract will evaluate three major development hurdles, Brownfield remediation, Public opinion and, Community Revitalization in an effort to produce a written report as well as a set of working drawings.

Brownfield sites have been defined by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy as “abandoned, vacant, derelict or underutilized commercial or industrial properties where past actions have resulted in actual or perceived contamination and where there is an active potential for redevelopment.” Vancouver’s Pacifica Place and Victoria’s Dockside Green are prime examples of how Brownfield remediation can positively affect an area. The number of Brownfield sites have not been documented but the Provincial Government estimates there are anywhere from four to six thousand, including both urban and rural locations around the province. The document Brownfield site at 742 Tranquille Road is a former service station property that carries the common environmental of leaky underground fuel tanks. Leaky underground tanks are responsible for the contamination of the site soil as well as the possible contamination of adjacent properties. leaving the property or business owner with the daunting task of remediation. Soil remediation can be a complex and expensive process that requires Government involvement and environmental professionals before the site is declared suitable to build. The government monitored remediation relies on two different methods that both incorporate the use of site-specific numerical soil standards (SSSs), this is a pre calculated set of minimal ratings and processes for common remediation situations. SSSs have been pre calculated for a variety of situations that would include contaminated soil and ground water; this could have an impact on not only plant and animal life but as well humans and their everyday surroundings. The “Contaminated Sites Soil Task-group (CSST)”(Ministry of Environment) is responsible for calculating preset SSSs values. The First method is based solely on SSSs values and remediation methods designed by the (CSST). The second method is when SSSs values and guidelines are not applicable or acceptable due to site needs or conditions. Environmental professionals are then called in to asses the land and create there own SSSs values based on data, prior use, models and calculated data. Once the remediation method has been chosen and agreed upon by the government, remediation can commence. The first step is the removal of the existing building and underground storage tanks. Once the site has been cleared testing can begin with surface and sub surface tests that will be looking to gather a baseline that will then be compared to the (SSSs) put forth by the environmental engineer. To achieve the desired (SSSs) the course of action may be as simple as having the site remain vacant for a predetermined period of time which is usually around ten years, or as advanced as excavating the entire site and replacing the material with a suitable substitute. From a financial standpoint a complete excavation and backfill doesn’t seem to be the most feasible option but as it will explain in the next paragraph it may even give that property a social advantage over other lots.

Over the last five years, the publics opinion of the north shore has began to shift and change for the better, with new buildings being erected and existing buildings been painted and maintained the community has shown a new level of pride and a willingness to adapt for a more positive community in an effort to attract new business and people a like. Some of public concerns surrounding the development could prove to be major hurdles, but if the public can be well educated and informed. The building has the potential to radiate positivity throughout the community as well as generate solutions to existing problems and concerns through well thought out site and building design. The hurdles assosciated with the development from the publics point of view is the increase in vehicle traffic and parking, effect on local businesses and visual effect of another large building in the north Kamloops community. The increase in vehicle traffic will be minimized by incouraging pedestrian traffic. Pedestrian traffic is a huge positive for the community as it promotes a healthy lifestyle and encourages people to window shop in the commercial area that Library Square and the shelter will help to bolster. Adding another tall building in this area is not idea since a four storey building is considered to be at a human scale(KARRI QUOTE). With the extra two stories of real estate the building will add a variety of sixteen more suites. The increase in public density allows the community to embrace the idea of urban infill, help grow local businesses and, increase public safety with a neighbourhood atmosphere. Urban infill has many benefits and is the idea of building within a city rather than expanding outwards, “You can't rely on bringing people downtown, you have to put them there.” said (Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities). Local businesses will undoubtedly benefit the most from this project since the new atmosphere will not only attract new customers but also house them. With an increase in pedestrian traffic the neighbourhood atmosphere will begin to come back to Tranquille Road, giving the area a safer feel which is a crucial part of the community revitalization aspect.

Community revitalization has been defined by the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Woman’s services as the “economic, social, political and physical elements that are constantly interacting and adapting to change. To thrive, communities need to address the issues of change, fix what doesn’t work and draw on what does work”(M.C.A.W). The proposed site for The Tranquille Shelter development is located in an old area of town that is in need of positive change. Like any potential building location, this site has positive and negative attributes. The positive attributes need to be identified and highlighted, while the negatives can be overcome and enhance with well thought out design. The area needs to upgrade the level of Public safety, community culture and, address the surplus of vacant lots along Tranquille Road. By simply removing the old vacant lot it would give the community a safer feel, but by adding a public building consisting of commercial and residential space it would solve all of the issue in question. The building will be equipted with public commercial and green space, that will enhance business opportunities and invite people back to the north shore community. Jane Jacobs helps us understand the importance of not only revitalizing the look of a building but the true meaning behind community growth and togetherness with her quote “eyes on the street.” The added public space provides an opportunity for culture and entertainment in a coffee shop type venue or community garden. On the other hand the close proximity to the new Library Square development, public density and heritage are among the most desirable attributes. The Library square development was the first major contributor to the revitalization project and has shown the city and the community what good things can come from a well thought out project. This development has shown that well ran business can thrive in this area and that public density is definitely not a problem.

The purpose of this abstract was to analyze and investigate the findings of the research, while at the same justifying "Is it feasible to reclaim a North Kamloops Brownfield property, that in turn requires a more substantial amount of effort than a conventional building site?” The abstract evaluates the three major development hurdles and concerns being, Brownfield remediation, Community Revitalization and Public opinion. 

 

References cited:

1. Rob Gregory. (2008). Urban ... infill. The Architectural Review, 223(1333), 60.   

 
2. Randall Denley. (1994, ). We must support urban infill: Final edition. The Ottawa Citizen, pp. B.1.   

 
3. Angela C Allen. (2005). Urban-infill IPO. Multi - Housing News, 40(9), 35.

4. Anonymous. (2000). U.S. EPA guidance document details land use options. Civil Engineering, 70(9), 33.

5. Horsch, R. A., Milmed, P. K., & Plante, K. M. (1996). Brownfield redevelopment. Natural Resources & Environment, 11(1), 55.   

6. BenDor, T. K., Metcalf, S. S., & Paich, M. (2011). The dynamics of brownfield redevelopment. Sustainability, 3(6), 914-936.

7. Jon Steeler, & Christine Hayes. (2009, ). Funding brownfield redevelopment. Buildings, pp. 26.   

 
8. Linda Moore. (1998, ). Brownfield redevelopment economic opportunity: Final edition. The Spectator, pp. D.1.FRO.   

 9. Kim Mullin. (2011). Urban renewal and community revitalization. Municipal World, 121(1), 24.   

10. Katy Gorman. (2012). Awards of excellence-community revitalization. Journal of Housing and Community Development, 69(1), 31.   

 
11. Chambers, R. E., Clemons, R. S., & Foster, R. H. (1990). Leadership and community revitalization. Economic Development Review, 8(3), 29.

12. Government of British Columbia (2013). Brown field renewal. Retrieved from
http://www.brownfieldrenewal.gov.bc.ca/qa.html#1

Original Graphic will be a before and after with an original site photo.