Brownfield Redevelopment 

 CDC (public domain)

Introduction

The term "greenfield" is commonly used in the construction industry to describe a building site that has never been previously built upon or otherwise developed.  Developers and contractors typically prefer to build on a greenfield site due to the low risk of unearthing expensive surprises like uncharted utilities, old foundations, or worse--leaking fuel tanks or illegally dumped hazardous wastes along with the associated contaminated soils and groundwater.

As greenfield sites have become more and more scarce, especially in urban areas, developers are now being forced to consider less-desirable used and impure sites.  Unfortunately, developing these "brownfield" sites can be costly due to the associated clean-up required to make them safe for new uses.  So costly in fact, that all but the most ambitious projects are easily rendered unfeasible without financial incentives.  Federal, state and municipal governments have recognized this as a significant roadblock to both the clean up of individual sites and in the broader sense, the economic revitalization of our formerly industrial-based cities.  Federal and state programs now provide incentives for developers to give brownfields a closer look.

 

Federal Programs

The Environmental Protection Agency has put together a very comprehensive national program called the Brownfields Initiative to help communities start, fund, and promote brownfield redevelopment projects.  At the core of this initiative are several pilot programs that provide information, technical assistance and funding.

These seed money programs include:

For more information on these and other programs check out the EPA's huge Brownfields Website: EPA Brownfields Homepage

Thanks to the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Private firms and individuals can also benefit from federal assistance for brownfield redevelopment in the form of individual or small business tax credits for qualified clean-up expenses.  For additional information on current federal brownfield tax incentives click here: EPA - Brownfields Tax Incentive

 

Brownfields

 

 

 

 

 

State Programs

Incredibly, all 50 states currently have legislation, agencies, or programs in place to assist in the redevelopment of brownfield sites.  Some offer state tax incentives, grants and other financial assistance, while others focus on providing information and referrals.  Tax Increment Financing is one popular state program whereby a developerís property taxes are held at the pre-development rate until their initial clean-up expenses are recovered.  Click on the link for your state below for more specific information:

 

 (public domain)

Local Programs

Some progressive local governments have moved ahead and initiated brownfield redevelopment programs of their own, many compiling the best of state and federal programs into one local clearinghouse.  One such program is located in Washtenaw County Michigan, where the county government established a Brownfield Authority and Brownfield Redevelopment Zone in May of 1999.  Washtenaw County has an excellent website and the Brownfield Authority pages are filled with information and ideas that can easily be adapted to other communities:  Welcome to the official website of Washtenaw County, Michigan

 

Other Useful Links

Northeast Midwest Institute

National Brownfield Association

The Brownfields Center

 

 

Page developed by Tom Whitaker, December 2002.

 

Suggested other pages...
Physical Improvements