Gas plant site could be developed in two years Mayor: Agreement close on Broadway Gateway zone BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer LONG BRANCH - - The former manufactured gas plant (MGP) site on Long Branch Avenue could be developed in the near future for commercial, retail or recreational uses, city officials said last week. The owners of the property, New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), informed the public last week at a "progress update" meeting that remediation efforts at the contaminated site are ongoing and the land should be ready to be developed within two years. Mayor Adam Schneider said at the meeting that the area in question has several potential uses, including expanding a city park. "What we see is an area that could be used for several purposes to meet the city's needs," said Schneider at the Sept. 26 meeting at the Long Branch Public Library on Broadway. "It sits on what we call the Broadway Gateway [redevelopment zone]," he said. "It borders the Broadway Arts Center [redevelopment zone]. "It is quite large and could be used for the expansion of Jerry Morgan Park," he said. Schneider added in an interview after the meeting that city officials are currently working on signing a developer's agreement for the Broadway Gateway redevelopment zone. "We are down to two potential developers for the Broadway Gateway," he said. "We could have a developer's agreement signed within the next four to six weeks or longer." The Broadway Gateway extends 72 acres from Second Avenue west to the railroad tracks. Schneider added that plans for the gas plant site are an "open book." "The site could be used from park expansion to commercial uses," he said. "I don't think it can possibly be residential." He added that it is "unlikely" that the city will try to purchase the site from NJNG. "Ownership is probably best if left with the gas company because of the contamination," Schneider said, adding, "Ownership of land that was once contaminated is tricky." City Business Administrator Howard H. Woolley added that the gas company will probably lease the property. "Hopefully we are going to have that site cleared for commercial, retail or recreational uses," Woolley said after the meeting. "The transaction of [the] land remains to be seen. It may be leased. "[NJNG] is doing a great job on the clean up. They might convey it to somebody. It may not be city owned. It could be leased to a developer," he said. The meeting was held by the Long Branch Community Advisory Panel (CAP) to update the public on the remediation progress of the NJNG site and surrounding contaminated areas. CAP was formed in November 2004 by the NJNG for the purpose of developing a working relationship and communication with the community. CAP represents the many faces of the city, including the Latino Chamber of Commerce, the NAACP, the Troutman's Creek Neighborhood Association, the Long Branch Senior Center, Family & Children's Services, the Brazilian and Portuguese communities, faith-based organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, the Long Branch Housing Authority and affected city residents. During its tenure, CAP has met with representative from the NJNG, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Consumer and Environmental Health. At the meeting, representatives of NJNG gave a presentation on current and future remedial activities at the MGP site and the affected surrounding areas, which include remediating portions of Troutman's Creek, the Atlantic Plumbing & Supply APS) building on Long Branch Avenue and the Seaview Manor housing complex on the corner of Seaview and Ellis avenues. According to the presentation, excavation of impacted soils has been completed at the Atlantic Plumbing & Supply building on the tract and a 2-foot clean soil cap has been installed. Excavation of impacted soils has also been completed at Troutman's Creek and a new channel liner system along the creek floor bed has been installed. Surface water flow in the creek has been restored and landscape plantings have been installed along the creek banks, according to the presentation. A concrete foundation near the APS has been removed, as well as soil excavation and the installation of a 2-foot clean soil cap at the site. NJNG is currently conducting further investigation of Seaview Avenue, according to the presentation. Although the Long Branch Avenue site will be ready to be developed in approximately two years, NJNG Director of Environmental and Safety Issues Micah Rasmussen said low-impact remediation efforts will continue a few years beyond that point. "[NJNG] have really been stepping up to take care of the environmental problems," Woolley said. "They really have stepped up and are working closely with the housing authority because some of the contamination impacted them. "They have been doing a great job and have spent millions already to clean it up," he added. The former MGP operated from 1870 through 1961 on a 17-acre site that is now designated in the city's Broadway Gateway redevelopment zone. The site is surrounded by three public housing complexes, two churches, a park, a daycare center, businesses and private homes. While in operation, the MGP produced coal tar, which is a mixture of hydrocarbon and other compounds left after combustion that produces a "sticky" texture that looks like a roofing tar, according to NJNG. In 1951, NJNG purchased the site from Jersey Central Power and Light Co. and some 30 years later residues of the coal tar were found in the soil and waterways surrounding the area. Studies on the contamination impact began as early as 1984 and remediation of the site and surrounding area began in 2000. The MGP site borders the downtown Broadway Arts Center redevelopment zone, which makes up the first 9 acres of the Broadway Gateway redevelopment zone.