The vacant industrial site at Parque Industrial Playa Sardina II in Culebra, Puerto Rico, owned by the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO), has been abandoned since 2004 and has suffered significant storm damage, leaving it in disrepair. The municipality of Culebra, aiming to utilize the site for economic development and affordable housing, faces challenges due to the need for substantial public subsidies, as market-based financing options are unviable. Initial funding explorations were not promising and prompted the need to identify alternative public subsidy options from local and federal sources, as well as resources for resilient design.

In 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization (OBLR) provided technical assistance, including assessing natural hazard mitigation strategies, conducting financial feasibility analyses, and issuing a comprehensive reuse plan. The plan recommends seeking local foundation support in the near term and exploring further public funding for long-term financing. Additionally, the plan advised recruiting a co-developer with relevant redevelopment experience and addressing immediate environmental concerns to advance the project. These steps aim to secure funding, ensure resilient design, and leverage expertise for the site’s redevelopment.