ILAPA News BURST! Savanna Army Depot Redevelopment

Jo-Carroll Army Depot Redevelopment by David Ylinen

	As the Department of Defense moves forward with the announced Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC 05) initiative designed to remove excess military property for other uses, bases from earlier closures continue to struggle for a new direction. Announced as a part of the BRAC 95 base closure program, the former Savanna Army Depot is one of these properties that have been moderately successful in attracting business and redevelopment. Located in a rural area in the northwestern part of the state of Illinois, along the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, the 13,062 acre site was initially established by the Army in 1917 to proof and test fire cannons. Shortly after, the mission of the base changed to storage of munitions and equipment. With the onset of WWII, the mission changed again to the production and recycling of munitions such as artillery shells and bombs. In later years, the mission changed once more to include a school for handling and maintenance of munitions. Due to the nature of some of these earlier uses of the property, significant environmental remediation actions remain. Clean-up is a responsibility of the Army, but property cannot be transferred until it is deemed acceptable by the Army, and both Illinois and Federal Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA). In addition, the process is slow because of limited available remediation funding from the Defense Department. With the numerous procedures and requirements in place it has seemed at times a Herculean task in getting property transferred for other use. Long before the base officially closed in early 2000 there were proposals and compromises as to how the property should be divided. Early on it was decided that the large majority (over 9,000 acres) of the acreage along with the Mississippi River frontage would be transferred to US Fish & Wildlife Service for use as a wildlife refuge. Through negotiations it was determined that 3,000 acres would be reserved for redevelopment applications with the remaining parcels set aside for use by Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers. During this period an initial planning body from the neighboring communities was established to create and implement a strategy for the reuse of this portion of the former Depot. Through negotiations with the Army they began the development of a no cost property conveyance plan that would permit privatization of property once acceptable for transfer. Eventually this not for profit organization evolved to become the Jo-Carroll Depot Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) with a mission to seek economic development and attract quality job opportunities to the area. As often the case with military base closures there are differences between organizations devoted to economic development and those with environmental interests such as plant and wildlife preservation. Certainly, some collaboration can support both initiatives, but often these opposing agendas result in conflicts. By working together a resolution can usually be reached, but often it results in delays to a project or a need to completely revise a planned direction. Savanna has had its share of such issues, including reversals for a plan to establish a Prison. Shortly after the announcement to close the base the site was identified as the preferred location for a maximum security Federal Prison. Later the decision was changed once it was determined that the site had an endangered plant species. This was unfortunate as it could have provided an early anchor user of the property with jobs and an economic boost to the area. Historically, bases having more difficulty with reuse plans are in rural locations (not adjacent to major communities) and without ready access to major 4 lane highways and key infrastructure. Often these rural bases have less diversified economies and fewer development resources. Savanna is not the exception. In fact, according to the USDA Economics Research Service, Urban Influence Codes (UIC) for non-metro counties, former military properties as the Savanna Army Depot are in a category with other closed rural bases such remote locations as Adak, Alaska and Caribou, Maine. Curiously, bases in less populated areas perhaps with less feature attractions seem to be a draw to a select group of people. Again Savanna has not been an exception. What has seemed an endless number of speculators continue to bring their visions and ideas creating various businesses ventures. Unfortunately, often within a short term and for a variety of reasons, many fail to materialize. Frequently, the principles lack the necessary funding or experience to effectively launch their project. In many instances they simply overestimate plans and employment projections and underestimate start-up capital and an effective marketing plan. Typically, the results are failed hopes to a project and the opportunities for jobs. Perhaps not unlike most community development programs, reuse authorities for closed military bases need to identify their strengths and recognize their areas of challenge. One way is to reinforce attractions with key economic development benefit programs. We chose to fill our development tool box with various government sponsored programs such as an Enterprise Zone, HUB Zone and authorization for a General Purpose Foreign Trade Zone. We have determined some of our features fit well for selected business applications. Our location adjacent to a mainline railroad operator is an attraction to various businesses in support of the RR industry. These include railroad car storage and repair and applications such as an intermodal operation or container yard. An abundance of warehouses provides the opportunity for very competitive storage rates. A developing winery operation fits well on some of our extensive acreage. And a developing business is especially attracted to our remote and very secure location. They intend to use several hundred reinforced munitions bunkers as a data storage site for private and governmental agencies. Redevelopment of non-urban military installations requires considerable patience and a bit of tenacity. As opposed to closure of metro bases, typically interested parties “are not waiting at the gate”. Without question redevelopment of the former Savanna Depot has been a slow and arduous task, but ever so slowly we are making progress. We eagerly look forward to continued growth with business and industry that fit our location. Of most importance, we have the valued support from the State of Illinois and a ready and willing workforce among our regional communities. http://www.lrasavanna.com
	David Ylinen, Executive Director Jo-Carroll Depot Local Redevelopment Authority 18935 B Street Savanna, IL 61074 Phone: (815) 273-4371 exdirlra@grics.net