The Beginning
The City of Wadley recieved an EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant in September 2006.  The City and partners at the Central Savannah River Area Regional Commission (CSRA RC) hired environmental consultant Hart & Hickman to manage daily grant activities. 

Phase I
Since then, the City has had four Phase I Environmental Site Assessments completed. A Phase I is a report about the historical uses of a particular property.  The properties assessed included the former fire station, the former depot, the Edwards Property, and the Red & White Grocery. 

Phase II
Edwards Property
A Phase II Site assessment was completed at the Edwards Property.  The City purchased the Edwards Property in December 2008 after learning that there were no further regulatory requirements at the property. 

Former Depot
Unfortunately, Norfolk Southern would not allow access to conduct a Phase II at the former Depot/Railroad Property on Wall Street.  However, the Railroad did agree to lease the property to the City and negotiations to complete that lease agreement are underway. 


Redevelopment Planning
Grant funds also allow for redevelopment planning.  A community meeting was held at the end of February 2009 to discuss the potential redevelopment options for the Edwards Property and the Depot/Railroad property.  Several ideas were discussed and conceptual site plans and artists renderings were created. 

Edwards Property
The community thought that, if the buildings could be saved, they should be restored.  In addition, City residents liked the idea of a pavilion or community gathering area, along with gardens for community gardening.  Office space, possibly with second story apartments, and an ice cream shop in the former gasoline station was discussed.  The image below shows an aerial view redevelopment plans. 
 

Depot Property
The community thought that, if the buildings could be saved, they should be restored. Unfortunately, a structural survey indicated that it would be more expensive to renovate the existing building than to demolish and rebuild a new structure.  City residents liked the idea of a visitor center or small retail shops in this location.  Unfortunately, the lease agreement with Norfolk Southern was unacceptable to the City for several reasons.  The City or local development authority will continue to attempt to purchase this property instead of leasing it.  These redevelopment plans were created for the time when the City or development authority would purchase the property.  The image below shows an aerial view redevelopment plans, which include a new building with similar architectural features of the existing building as well as a place for the City to display its caboose.  

Assessment Grant Close Out
Grant funds are only available in intervals of 3 years, so this assessment grant funding ended on Septmber 30, 2009.  This does not mean the end of Wadley's brownfield program.  The City can always apply for additional funding and continue redevelopment through its other resources. 
 

Please keep checking back for more updates!