Public to Weigh In on "Most Polluted Site in Fridley" Wednesday Night

A public meeting Wednesday at Fridley City Hall concerns a redevelopment plan for a site in southwest Fridley that the Star Tribune called "one of the most polluted sites in Fridley." The developer told the newspaper:"

“We want to develop a modern business park with 12 new buildings totaling 1.6 million square feet. That will be home to 50 different companies. That’s a much more diverse and sustainable economic base for the city,” [developer Paul] Hyde said. “We should have almost 3,000 jobs on the site and almost $3 million in new property taxes annually.” ...

“They’ll purchase it, clean it up and put it back to good use creating new jobs, generating new taxes and new opportunities,” said Fridley Community Redevelopment Director Scott Hickok. “It’s very, very good for the city.”

Read the full article at startribune.com.

The City of Fridley has created an Alternative Urban Area-wide Review (AUAR) Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) Scoping Document to outline the environmental review on the site. From the City of Fridley website: 

On March 25, 2013, The City of Fridley submitted an Alternative Urban Area-Wide Review (AUAR) to the State Environmental Quality Board for Publication. This AUAR is associated with the redevelopment of 122 acres of the former FMC Site (4800 East River Road). There will be a public information meeting at the Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Avenue N.E. on April 17, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of:

Consideration of and commenting on the AUAR Document prepared in accordance with Minnesota State Rules Governing AUAR Document Requirements, for the Redevelopment of 122 acres of the former FMC Munitions Facility, legally described as: Lots 1 and 2, Block 1, ARMAMENT SYSTEMS DIVISION, according to the recorded plat thereof, Anoka County, Minnesota.

Any and all persons desiring to review the document can find it at the Fridley Municipal Center, 6431 University Avenue NE, Fridley, MN 55432 and also, the Anoka County Library at 410 Mississippi Street, Fridley, MN 55432, or by clicking either of the links above.  

Any and all persons desiring to be heard with comments on the document shall be given an opportunity at the above stated time and place. Any additional comments can be offered in writing. The public comment period for offering comments on the AUAR Document is from the date of this notice, until May 1st at 4:30 pm. Comments shall be made in writing and addressed to Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, 6431 University Avenue NE, Fridley MN 55432. Any questions related to this item may also be referred to Scott Hickok, at 763-572-3590, or e-mailed to: scott.hickok@fridleymn.gov

Hearing impaired persons planning to attend the information meeting, who need an interpreter or other persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids should contact Roberta Collins at 763-572-3500 no later than, April 15, 2013. The TDD number is 763-572-3534.