Location: Baton Rouge, LA

This project was completed as part of the corporate agreement between the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s (LDEQs) Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) program and Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPAs) Brownfield and Land Revitalization Program.

Background:  The site was formerly a Chase Bank.  Build Baton Rouge (BBR) is preparing to develop the site into a mixed-use development anchored by a grocery store and including mixed-income residential units. This development, along BBR’s ongoing developments along Plank Road as part of the Imagine Plank Road Plan for Equitable Development, will catalyze the revitalization of Plank Road, one of Baton Rouge’s early important commercial corridors that has suffered decades of disinvestment.

Redevelopment:  The building will be reused once hazardous material is addressed. Build Baton Rouge is ready to develop the site into a grocery store. The economic impact of the grocery store is estimated to generate 3.8 million in annual sales by the third year.

Leaaf’s Role:  Leaaf conducted a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) / All Appropriate Inquires (AAI) at the BR 204 Plank Grocery Store for LDEQ and the Baton Rouge Brownfields Program.  The assessment was conducted in accordance with ASTM Standard E 1527-13.  Recognized environmental conditions (RECs) and business environmental risks (BERs) were identified and recommendations were presented.