City of Wisconsin Rapids receives EPA Brownfields and Land Revitalization Grant for the Foundry Site

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The City of Wisconsin Rapids is making progress with “The Foundry” site at 330 9th Avenue South, formerly owned by Northern Steel Castings.

The site has a history of foundry operations and was impacted by fire in 2016. Since the fire, the site has remained vacant. The property is currently owned by Wood County. The city has applied for grant funding through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to conduct the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), which would evaluate the property’s environmental conditions and assess potential liability for any contamination. Additional funding is anticipated through the DNR for a Phase 2 ESA, which includes soil testing and remediation planning.

Earlier this year, the city received an EPA Brownfields CERCLA 128(a) Technical Assistance Grant (“TAG”) with assistance from the DNR. The grant is being used to provide the city a Reuse Assessment for the Foundry site. DNR’s Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program on behalf of the state of Wisconsin, is acting as the designated agency assisting the city. Additionally, the city was chosen as an EPA Land Revitalization Technical Assistance recipient for a market assessment and concept design of the foundry site.

The city is working collaboratively with the EPA, DNR, and the contracted environmental consultant, Vita Nuova, to complete the final reuse assessment.

A community workshop, hosted by Vita Nuova, the city, the DNR, and EPA will be an opportunity for community members to provide input into reuse options for the Foundry. A series of conceptual options will be shown to solicit feedback. The workshop will be held on July 11th, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 444 W Grand Avenue in the first-floor council chambers. All are welcome to attend and participate.

For more information on the Foundry project, visit the website at https://www.wirapids.org/the-foundry.html, and follow the city’s social media platforms to stay up to date with the project.

Direct questions to the Community Development Department at: [email protected]
City Hall, 2nd Floor

The Foundry Pamphlet
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Community Workshop Invite