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From Bold Vision to Community Success

Wisconsin Brownfields Study Group 10 Year Anniversary Celebration

On Tuesday, September, 9, 2008, the Brownfields Study Group celebrated 10 years of success in enhancing and expanding Wisconsin’s Brownfields Initiatives. The event took place in Milwaukee, on the 40th floor of the US Bank Building in the Foley & Lardner Offices. 130 people attended the event.

Program and Invitation

Mayor Barrett.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett was the keynote speaker at the Brownfields Study Group 10th Anniversary Celebration.

Program
View the event program. [PDF, 5,373KB]

Invitation
View the invitation. [PDF, 3,297KB]

Photos from the Event

To view select photos from the event, see our Celebration Photos page. Photos courtesy of DNR and City of Milwaukee.

Governor's Proclamation

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle declared September 7-13 Wisconsin Brownfields Initiative Week.

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Program Presentations

Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine Article

Wisconsin Natural Resources MagazineThe Brownfields Study Group and successes from the past ten years of brownfields work in Wisconsin were highlighted in the August, 2008 issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. If you would like a copy of the magazine, please contact Andrew Savagian (608.261.6422).

Read Article: Back In Business: Old factories and abandoned properties are prime real estate to recharge and energize downtowns

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Comments, Kudos & Thank You's

The following notes were addressed to: Darsi Foss [Brownfields & Outreach Section chief for DNR’s Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program], Andrew Savagian (RR Program outreach specialist), Jessica Milz (RR Program Marketing Specialist), Shelley Fox (RR Program Grants Specialist), Michael Prager (RR Program Land Recycling Team Leader) and Laurie Egre (RR Program Outreach Team Leader).

Andrew,
I would like to personally thank all three of you for the terrific effort and hard work you put forth to make our special night such a huge success. I know that an event like that took a huge amount of time and effort to coordinate and facilitate. Without your dedication, we would not have the wonderful programs that we enjoy here in Wisconsin and certainly the September 9th event would not have been as much fun without your input.

Many sincere thanks for your efforts in organizing the party and for the day to day efforts you provide to us in the private sector.

Cheers!

Scott C. Wilson, PSS
Manager - Environmental Services
Ayres Associates

Darsi,
What a pleasure for me! To see all those who make the brownfield clean ups actually happen was great! How well I remember back to the days before the Advisory committee even! And all along you were there right from the start helping us make it all happen on the front legislative end and then there you were in the whole midst of the projects with your great staff who work so exceedingly well with our local officials and developers to make it all come together beautifully!

Know the high esteem you and your staff are held in! The Committee also is such a welcome go to group for taking our excellent program further and further. Their expertise in working with you and others in the development of legislation is so important. Their being there to advocate and mobilize resources to help in the legislative process has also been key to our successes.

With best wishes and appreciation always,
Carol Roessler
Former State Senator

Darsi,
I wish I could be there – If I were there I would raise a glass in your honor too. You've accomplished so very much. Feel free to broadcast that I LOVE the SAG [DNR Brownfields Site Assessment Grant] program. It does the most with the smallest amount of money that I've ever seen for ANY state program – and I've been going to the EPA conferences for many years now. I like that SAG is a practitioner's program – allowing tank pulls and demo[lition]. I also believe SAG has been a very effective incentive for cities and towns to wade into brownfields issues. It is a simple, straightforward and non-political application. Administration and reporting is so very manageable. If only I could get Massachusetts to start something similar!!!!

Beverly Craig
Real Estate Consultant
Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corp.
Dorchester, MA

Darsi,
It was a pleasure to join your celebration. I have never witnessed such a display of genuine mutual respect and affection among a group of professionals. Amazing what a collection of folks with a common passion for a very worthy common goal can accomplish together.

James N. Mayka, P.E.
Chief, Land Revitalization Branch
Superfund Division
U.S. EPA Region 5
Chicago

Andrew,
I just wanted to say thank you for inviting Bob [Buckingham, Neenah Community Development Director] and I to the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Brownfield’s Study Group.

We enjoyed the opportunity to visit, listen to the stories of how the study group has positively impacted brownfields remediation efforts and learn more about the successful projects all across Wisconsin.

Thank you for all you do to promote economic development!

Karen Harkness
Executive Director
Future Neenah, Inc.

Darsi, Drew, Shelley and Jessica,
Congratulations on pulling off the 10th Anniversary 'party' the other night. Top class! You should be proud, and those of us who just had to 'show up' really appreciate it.

Thank you again,
Tom Mueller,Jr.
The Environmental Managements Company (TEMCO)

Jessica and all of your team at the DNR,
It was a wonderful event on 40th at Foley!

Many thanks,
Mary and Ned Witte

I want to thank you again for the work you did with the Brownfields Study Group 10th Anniversary Celebration. The event was well organized and a huge success in my book! Of course the venue was fantastic and I thought the program was motivating. I came to work with a new sense of purpose this morning and a re-invigorated outlook. I was so motivated that I may resume attending Brownfield Study Group meetings again!!

Loren Brumberg
Land Recycling Specialist
RR Program West Central Regional Office
WI DNR

What a nice event! Your recognition plaque was the best. Consider me pulled back into the BSG [Brownfields Study Group].

Sam Tobias
Planning & Parks Director
Fond du Lac County

It was elegant and fun (and WHAT A VIEW!!)
Congratulations on the party and on the great work done by the BGS [Brownfields Study Group].

Carol McCartney

Many kudos to you and all the R&R folks for putting on such a wonderful 10 year celebration!

Larry Kirch
City of La Crosse

History

The Brownfields Study Group was created in 1998 at the direction of the governor and State Legislature, to evaluate Wisconsin's current brownfields initiatives and recommend changes, as well as propose additional incentives for the cleanup and reuse of brownfields, which are abandoned or underused properties with real or perceived contamination. In 2008 the Study Group celebrates its 10th anniversary and will be hosting an event to celebrate their accomplishments as well as kick off the next 10 years of Study Group work.

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Questions?

If you have questions about the event, please contact Andrew Savagian (608.267.6743).

Last Revised: Monday May 04 2009