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Town of Phillipsburg, Warren County
Virtually built out, Phillipsburg in Warren County is looking to its underutilized, vacant and/or contaminated properties as potential sources of revitalization and economic development. As part of the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Brownfields Demonstration Pilot program, the Phillipsburg has inventoried seven brownfields sites and has allocated the $200,000 pilot grant among four of its highest priority sites.
Topping the priority list is 137 acres in Phillipsburg's industrial section, which is owned by Ingersoll Rand. The parcel, which is vacant, is part of a larger 385 acre site also owned and operated by Ingersoll Rand. The land owner is under an administrative consent order from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to remediate the groundwater contamination on the larger parcel. In April 2000, the City designated the vacant portion of the site in as an Area in Need of Redevelopment and adopted a redevelopment plan for the area in October 2000.
The Ingersoll Rand Redevelopment Plan calls for the creation of over 900,000 square feet of new industrial space, resulting in approximately 1,000 plus new jobs and nearly $1.2 million in tax revenues for the town. Phillipsburg has signed a redevelopers agreement with Woodmont Properties, pending the completion of additional environmental work, and is in negotiations with Ingersoll Rand to acquire the site.
The creation of the redevelopment area and plan for the Ingersoll Rand site has given Phillipsburg several advantages. The comprehensive planning process that went into the designation and adoption of the redevelopment area and plan prepared the City for the USEPA Brownfields Pilot Program. In addition, the ability to use the power of eminent domain has given the Phillipsburg a better negotiating position with Ingersoll Rand on the acquisition of the property. And lastly, the tax abatements will help to attract end-users to the industrial complex.
Contact: Phillipsburg Town, Mark Portnoy, 908/454-6511