The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Forsite Development, developers of ReVenture Park, on Aug. 7 for its commitment to safely and sustainably reuse a property along the Catawba River that was formerly contaminated by years of industrial operations.
EPA Region 4 created the “Excellence in Site Reuse” award to recognize those who have made outstanding efforts to reuse a Superfund or Superfund Alternative site through cooperative efforts with EPA.
“Old, unused manufacturing facilities should not be liabilities,” said Tom McKittrick, principal of Forsite Development. “Developing an eco-industrial park on a shuttered industrial complex is an opportunity where the private sector, public policy and environmental interests align to promote the clean energy economy. We are transforming this liability into an asset – the essence of recycling.”
Forsite Development worked with the EPA, state, Clariant Corporation and local partners to redevelop the 667-acre Martin- Marietta, Sodyeco, Inc. Superfund.
Clariant Corporation acquired the site in the mid-1980s and closed it in 2005 when it was no longer economically viable.
Clariant spent upwards of $40 million cleaning up contamination caused by previous owners.
“When Clariant closed this site, we had a vision to see it repurposed to create further economic development for the community, said Ken Golder, president and CEO of Clariant Corporation. “We are happy to work with Forsite Development in their pursuit of this shared vision. It is wonderful to witness this site’s rebirth along with the preservation of adjoining natural areas.”
ReVenture Park reuses the site’s extensive existing infrastructure – rail and interstate access, a wastewater treatment facility, 300,000 square feet of existing industrial space, utility substations and transmission lines, and a 360-million gallon containment pond – to create a platform for large-scale renewable energy and alternative fuel projects and other environmentally minded businesses.
Nearly a dozen companies call ReVenture Park home.
