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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency celebrated those supporting Suffolk restoration efforts. 

During an award ceremony held on Tuesday, Sept. 19, the EPA presented the Excellence in Site Reuse Award to both North Carolina real estate developer Brookwood Capital Partners (BCP) and Dumbarton engineering consultant Hana Engineers and Consultants, LLC for helping to revitalize part of the Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot (FNOD) Superfund site, located at the end of State Route 135 off Interstate 664.

Both Hana Engineers and Consultants, LLC Vice President Jeff Zoeckler and Brookwood Capital Partners Principal/Partner Joe McSweeney expressed their honor of the award.

“It’s really a successful effort between many folks: the Corp of Engineers, EPA, the City of Suffolk, the state DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality),” Zoeckler said. “We’re happy to accept this award, but it really was a team effort.”

McSweeney expressed his thankfulness and guidance for the help he received with Zoeckler and his team for their help while also noting how challenges were always completed.

“I think the EPA and the DEQ kind of set the format for us because anytime we had a challenge with the status of the site, there was a solution with our lenders, with our investors,” he said.

Also awarded was City Manager Albert S. Moor II, who received a Certificate for Collaboration. Council Member John Rector of the Suffolk borough accepted the award on his behalf.

“Having grown up in this region and seeing this site for what it was, and coming back and seeing this site now for what it is, the transformation is nothing short of miraculous. Municipalities alone could not make this happen without partnerships,” Rector said.