Brownfield Redevelopment
Trolley Square, Appleton, WI

OMNNI conducted a Phase II investigation and site investigation at the former Valmet property for the Appleton Redevelopment Authority. OMNNI assisted in placing the site into the WDNR’s Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) program and in securing two WDNR Site Assessment Grants to raze the onsite buildings and investigate the property. Since the property had been filled with foundry sand, a historic fill exemption was required from the WDNR before the property could be redeveloped.

OMNNI also assisted in allowing the site to be used as a staging area for the College Avenue reconstruction and streetscape project and as a staging area for a thermal treatment plant, which treated coal tar contamination from a site directly across the river. The use of the property for the staging areas not only saved the city considerable amount of money, but significantly reduced the impact of these projects on the local community. The site has received a Certificate of Completion from the WDNR and has been successfully redeveloped into Trolley Square, a 20,000-square-foot brick and glass mixed-use facility. The city received a certificate of appreciation for this project from Scott Hassett (former WDNR Secretary).

Brownfield Redevelopment
American Toy
Hortonville, Wisconsin

The former American Toy and Furniture company used paints, thinners, solvents, glues, lubricants, and degreasers in their manufacturing process. The facility also used four underground storage tanks and a hazardous waste storage area.

OMNNI assisted the client with obtaining two Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Site Assessment Grants; placing the site in the Voluntary Liability Protection Program (VPLE); and completing the characterization of three separate impacted zones at the facility.

Closure has been obtained on the areas contaminated by leaking underground storage tanks. The area impacted by the solvent release is undergoing long-term monitoring. Hybrid Poplar and Cottonwood trees have been planted to assist with the breakdown of the remaining solvent contamination (phytoremediation).

Phytoremediation,
Winnebago County, Wisconsin

OMNNI is working closely with the WDNR, Winnebago County, the City of Menasha, and a forestry consultant to remediate a contaminated site in Menasha using phytoremediation. The site was once a former drum recycling operation.

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective “green” technology that uses plants to assist in the clean up of contaminated soils and groundwater.

OMNNI was able to procure $140,000 in grants and matching funds from the WDNR to conduct the site investigation. Hybrid Poplar, Cottonwood, and Aspen trees have been planted across the site to remediate the soil and groundwater contamination. The University of WI-Madison provided the Aspen trees to study the effectiveness of using a native species for Phytoremediation projects.