The city government of Salem, New Jersey, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of its municipal landfill. The 41-acre site was the city’s landfill starting in 1988, and was capped and closed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in 2005.
Salem, New Jersey’s municipal landfill site. City of Salem
“The city of Salem views the landfill as one of its most important redevelopment opportunities,” said Salem Mayor Jody Veler. “Long underutilized, the site has the potential to be transformed into a valuable community asset, one that supports job creation, generates new revenue and advances responsible, sustainable development.”
The city suggested that the property could be redeveloped as a recreational facility or used for a new energy development, such as a solar project. Landfill sites are often unfit for certain types of construction projects, because they are capped and the soil cannot be penetrated without risking contamination. A ballasted solar project avoids soil penetration.
In recent years, solar construction on capped landfills, brownfields and Superfund sites has increased, and the Northeast has led that trend. New Jersey provides state incentives for solar projects built on sites like landfills. Plus, the city of Salem stated that the site is eligible for several state tax incentives, including being located in a New Jersey Department of Community Affairs-administered Opportunity Zone, and A New Market Tax Credit-eligible census tract.
Salem plans to sell or lease the landfill site to a developer. The city is accepting questions and inquiries for the RFP through 5 p.m. (EST) January 8. Proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. on January 29.
